Opener “Tick Tock” immediately reveals itself as confident, classy hard rock—the kind that was supposed to die with grunge. Unashamed, unapologetic, fists-in-the-air hard rock.
And that’s exactly what “Brick By Brick” delivers throughout. Pierce has assembled a star cast for this album, but one name that isn’t widely known, Chris James, has an absolutely incredible voice.
Pierce himself is a mighty guitar player, clearly reveling in the solos he seems to pull out of thin air.
This mini-album—seven songs, clocking in at under half an hour—is nearly a masterclass in hard rock. If “Only” had been released in its rightful era, say 1989, it would have dominated MTV.
At the heart of it all is arguably “Brick By Brick”’s best and certainly heaviest moment. “Remember The Bataclan” isn’t just a proper metal song; it’s a powerful tribute to that tragic night in Paris.
Elsewhere, “Can You Feel It” is as confident and classy as it gets, while “Love/Hate” ushers in a second half that’s darker, heavier, and more oppressive than the first. But if there’s one word that ties this entire record together, it’s ambition.
Listen to the stunning crescendo of “A Storm Is Coming” and try to argue that this album takes no for an answer.
Only seven songs, and feels like the beginning of something big. “Brick By Brick” is the sound of Rick Pierce laying the foundation for something substantial.
Rating: 8/10
REVIEW: RICK PIERCE GROUP – BRICK BY BRICK (2025)
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