For guitarist Tom Keifer, The Way Life Goes is an appropriate title for his first solo album.

The Cinderella frontman has had to endure many personal and emotional struggles over the years, including being diagnosed with a partially paralyzed vocal cord and being told he’d likely never sing again.

Having battled back from vocal injury, and now finding himself at the right place in life, Keifer has delivered an album that takes an honest, introspective look at the man who’s written some of the most memorable hard rock songs of the ’80s.

Although production for The Way Life Goes began in 2003, the real roots of the 14-song album can be traced as far back as the mid-’90s, when Cinderella parted ways with their record label and Keifer first began considering a solo project that would eventually take years to complete.

Fans who’ve been clamoring for new Cinderella music will no doubt find comfort in The Way Life Goes, but the album also has Keifer exploring new ground and brings a sound that immediately conjures images of a young Rod Stewart or the Rolling Stones. Even more important than the vibe or showcasing the roller coaster ride he’s been on, the album exposes the refreshingly deep writing style Keifer shares with his wife Savannah (who co-produced the album with Keifer and Chuck Turner).

Read the rest of my Guitar World interview with Tom Keifer by Clicking Here