Label: Frontiers 2015
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
The Timotei Twins are saying 'Hello, Everybody!' as well as Sayonara with one last hurrah and offering to the Gods of melodic hard rock? Merely five years on since the comeback album (Lightning Strikes Twice), Gunnar and Matthew Nelson are about to wave goodbye with the appropriate titled album of 'Peace Out'. The booklet holds a message and thank you note to the fans and I quote, 'who have supported us for over 25 years. It's been a fantastic ride, that alas, has come to an end. We wanted to make this our best one yet for you, and end this journey on a high note as we enter a new musical chapter', end quote.
Indeed. The twins are going after the singer/songwriter concept next and the updated (?) sound of the Everly Brothers and their dad (Ricky Nelson). It's a shame really, as I truly believe they could do both and still provide the goodies. So what about Peace Out, the high or flat note? It's nearly impossible to emulate the achievements of their debut album, "After The Rain", one of my guilty pleasures.
No, wait. I do not have any guilty pleasures or albums that are too embarrassing to speak of. Only a complete idiot would express these kind of feeling(s) and attitude towards the music you enjoy. Pop, singer/songwriter, punk, funk, rock, blues, folk, metal, progressive, the weird, the complex, the arty, the dark, the light. etc. It's all about quality in my opinion and not a certain genre or style. Good music is always good music no matter what.
Nelson delivers a warm summer breezy album that speaks of top-notch rock and excellent power-pop. The Twins are mainly here to entertain you with their hallmark/trademark harmonies and feel good moments. I love the super catchy, but slightly corny, "Rockstar". Roger from American Dad would totally sing-a-long to the whispered 'Rockstar' part. 'Back In the Day', 'Invincible', 'Let It Ride', 'Autograph', etc. it's all good. Closing track, 'Leave The Light On For Me', the semi-ballad in the style of Bon Jovi and Aldo Nova (Blood on The Bricks). Glorious hooks that will have believers reaching for the Kleenex, Peace Out is a record that any melodic rock fan should find to be a massive highlight of 2015. They're not trying to re-invent the wheel, they're merely out to pimp your ride.
matthewandgunnarnelson.com
Very well written review. "Peace Out" is amazing from start to finish. Sad they are planning to change their default style which means they won't really be doing rock music anymore, But at least they left us with an amazing last album which in my opinion is their best effort yet, and a marvelous way to say goodbye. I agree with you on wishing they would just continue to rock and keep any other genre experimenting endeavours as a side project. But I love the twins, and appreciate anything they put out so I'm actually looking forward to their new musical direction too. By the way, really enjoy your blog. It always gives me new ideas of stuff to listen to. Fantastic reviews as well! :)
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