Breakaway is sequenced to be a dynamic experience. It opens with the instrumental tour de force “Hurricane,” a jolt of driving and muscular bluesy riff rock with soaring and fluid lead guitar breaks. It’s an arresting “go for the jugular” album introduction and is thoughtfully followed by the tranquil cool of “Seasons Four,” a sophisticated composition with gorgeously rich jazz chords and engagingly winsome melodies.
There is an engrossing Side One/Side Two flow to Breakaway, with the album’s second half beginning with “You’ve Got Your Reasons.” The track has an immediacy and raw emotionality that’s startlingly direct for an album crafted with thoughtfully opaque lyrics. The burly riff rock of “Evil Woman” offers a nice sonic counterpoint to the other tracks; it’s a slice of good time party rock n’ roll that lightens the mood. Throughout the album, the band’s top flight musicianship shines brightly, but the smoldering Latin-rock numbers “You’ve Got A Hold On Me” and “No Good,” are undeniably virtuosic and profoundly showcase Dark Horse Flyer’s gnat’s ass tight rhythm section.
Lyrically, Breakaway has a layer of mystique with intriguing scenarios and perspectives on relationships laid out but, cleverly, never tidied up—outcomes are left for the listener to ponder. The title track is a prime example of this artfully intriguing writing. “That’s about big events in life, you’re given the choice to stay or breakaway. A lot about life is how you react to big decisions,” says Don, Dark Horse Flyer’s main songwriter-vocalist. “I like the ambivalence in this song because you never really know if the person stays or breaks away.”
The album was produced by Don and executive produced by Scott. The two sought out the finest outside resources to enhance their work. When it appears there is a gospel choir or a sultry angelic duet singer, that’s the talents of famed backup vocalist Beth Cohen who has worked with Barbra Streisand, Pink, Julio Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, and, more recently, Barry Gibb. Don and Scott also had champagne tastes when it came to mastering and flew to LA to have Bernie Grundman (Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Steely Dan’s Aja) apply his deft sonic touch to Breakaway.
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