This is the 7^th full-length release from Liberty N’ Justice, who latterly have featured a veritable who’s who of melodic rock star names on guest vocals. In a slight departure from previous outings, this album features exclusively acoustic-based songs, but this is no way detracts from the enjoyment…in fact it makes quite a refreshing change to have something you can slip on in more mellow moments. 

The whole concept of L N’ J is the brainchild of Justin Marr who co-writes the majority of the songs. It is to his eternal credit that musicians of such calibre have continually agreed to appear on the albums. This is probably due in no small part to Marr’s talent for songwriting which means that the quality is pretty uniform throughout. 

As with any compilation of this nature, there are going to be some tracks that are stronger than others and yet more you will pick out as your favourites based on your preference of the vocalist involved. However, when the singer line-up includes such names as Kelly Keeling, Kelly Keagy, John Corabi, Jack Russell, Ted Poley, Tony Mills and Jamie Rowe, then I am pretty sure that most people will find something positive to take from this album. 

Highlights of the album from a personal point of view are “Phoenix” with Pete Loran from Trixter, the title track itself, which features Kelly Keeling and “Praying For A Miracle” with the always entertaining Ted Poley, whose vocals seem to be improving with time and age.  

There’s also the usual quality performance from Jamie Rowe on “Fade” and the excellent track “Addiction” sung extremely well by former Warrant man, Jani Lane. Neon Cross’ David Raymond Reeves, who I must admit to not being at all familiar with, also puts in one of the finest efforts on the album as he really goes for it on “Snake Eat Snake”.  All in all Independence Day is a particularly good addition to the Liberty N’ Justice franchise. Look out for a “Best Of” album early in 2008.

Let us know your views on Independence Day

Track Listing

Doubting Thomas
Monkey Dance
Soldier
My Sacrifice
Phoenix
Independence Day
Meet My Monster
Praying for a Miracle
Fade
Bullet, Train, Breakdown
Addiction
Wake the Dead
Snake Eat Snake
A Little Bit of Love