Ronnie Atkins - One Shot  

Solo album review by; DeeDee  

 

The Pretty Maids are on hiatus while their vocalist Ronnie Atkins receives further treatment in regard to his cancer diagnosis. The last press release about Ronnie was a positive one, so I wish him good health and I’m sure a lot of fans are also thankful that he is doing so well and battling this terrible illness. ‘One Shot’ is the Danish singer’s first solo work and the list of comrades who join him, are from past and present collaborations, in addition to a few friends. Members of Pretty Maids, Europe and Avantasia have provided their talents including Chris Laney, keyboard player and rhythm guitarist with the Pretty Maids, who has produced the album.  

 

‘One Shot’ starts with the gentle flowing melody of ‘Real’. The lyrics reflect a life spent with no regrets, ‘Everyday is a gift, and in the end I wouldn’t change a single thing.’ Poignant words from the heart of a man who hasn’t accepted defeat. Loads of harmonies and swirling guitar give the song a magical ambiance. ’Scorpio’ is so personal it could only be written by someone like Ronnie, who has to face the reality of poison on a daily basis. It’s another with charm and bounce and there’s a repeating hook that gives it a lavish tempo. Some interesting guitar and it leads beautifully into the eponymous track. ‘One Shot’ is ‘an enchanted sense of pure delight’ to quote the enrapturing lyrics. It gains strength with a punchy chorus, that adds flavour and again the harmonies and strings give it a mass of anthem like echo. ’Subjugated’ is more upbeat, but has a message for those who attempt to control us. 

 

‘Frequency Of Love’ is written by both Chris Laney and Ronnie and is one of those epic sounding numbers with a layer upon layer effect. Another sing-along chorus with a dynamic force field, combining to leave you totally in awe. ‘Before The Rise Of An Empire’ is more thunderous and pounding. It has a determined feel about it, loads of stamina and you can sense the warlike tension. ‘Miles Away’ in contrast, is a slow and distinctive track; superb backing vocals give it an edge with almost gospel choir attribute. Shrieking guitar and dominating drums interact to make it rumble and then it closes so peacefully. ‘Picture Yourself’ looks at how society has resorted to riots in the streets and how we treat our frail planet so badly. It glides and climbs like a bird soaring in the air. The next song ‘I Prophesize’ is very much in the same vein as its predecessor. There is warmth and power all through, some generous guitar and you get a sense of the bonding that must have been happening during the recording. 

 

‘One By One’ hits back at the struggles we face and how our lives are destined by unknown forces. It’s another with pace and clear vocals from Ronnie, while a guitar solo is mixed in towards the end. ‘When Dreams Are Not Enough’ is the final track and takes us down with softness and ease, a beautiful and melodic finale.    

 

This is certainly something Ronnie felt he had to do after receiving some devastating news and the lockdown restrictions gave him opportunity.   "To be honest, I initially had no intention to do a solo album to begin with, but for various reasons and in particularly my own personal health situation I finally decided to have a crack at it," says Atkins.  

 

Definitely an album of good measure and one Pretty Maids fans world-wide will enjoy. But there is more to it than that, this has been written by a man who has had to face up to his own existence, his life thrown down before him with uncertainty and having to conquer a fearless adversary. So apart from the exceptional music, the lyrics truly stand out, they are often personal, remain tasteful and richly encompassing. This is an album I would recommend without any doubt.   

 

4.5/5

 

Track list:

Real

Scorpio

One Shot

Subjugated

Frequency Of Love

Before The Rise Of An Empire

Miles Away

Picture Yourself

I Prophesize

One By One

When Dreams Are Not Enough

 

 

Line-up;

Ronnie Atkins - lead and backing vocals

Chris Laney - rhythm guitars, keyboards and backing vocals

Allan Sørensen - drums

Morten Sandager - keyboards

Pontus Egberg- bass

Acoustic guitars - Anders Ringman

Lead guitars/solos - Pontus Norgren, Kee Marcello, Olliver Hartmann, John Berg, Chris Laney

Additional backing vocals - Chris Laney, Linnea Vikström Egg, Olliver Hartmann, Bjørn Strid

 

Produced by Chris Laney

Mixed by Jacob Hansen

 

https://www.facebook.com/RonnieAtkinsOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/ronnie_atkins_official

 

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