FAIR WARNING: "Sundancer"

Rating: RRRR
Label: SPV/Steamhammer 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

I haven't been too impressed with Fair Warning as of lately. The last couple of albums, two steps back in my opinion. Thus why it's nice to witness that "Sundancer" is a step forward in the right direction again. The album takes off with, "Troubled Love", all catchy and fluffy with a just perfect dose of pure eighties synthesisers in the background and singing guitarwork by Helge Engelke. Very positive and fun melodic rock.

"Keep It In The Dark" is up there with their early classics and the melody simply reeks of Rainbow (Blackmore) and Zeno (Roth) influences. The latter, not really such a big surprise after all. Considering that bassist Ule W Ritger is a former band member of the lost brother of Scorpions' Uli - a man obssessed with Jimi Hendrix. "Real Love" goes through every thinkable pose and phrase in the fine tradition of the semi-ballads by Eric Martin and Mr. Big. Extra kudos to Tommy Heart for heart(heh)felt vocals and special message/lyrics by Ritger.

It's a very solid effort without ever reaching the same heights of Four or the debut. As a result, "Sundancer" turns out to be a long way from being the mediocre, half-hearted affair that we've seen from this band as of lately. I could do without a couple or three of the 'groove' tracks and have another bunch of the catchy stuff though.
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