NIGHT BY NIGHT: ”NXN”

Rating: RRRRR
Label: Sun Hill Production 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

Night By Night is just what the melodic rock scene needs. A young, hungry band that doesn’t sound like they’re merely recycling old Journey or Bon Jovi songs, yet they don’t sound like they’re trying hard to be ”current”. They just happen to have great melodies, sharp guitar riffs and stunning harmonies. Romesh Dodangoda, who’s previously worked with Bullet For My Valentine, has produced the album and given it a perfectly balanced sound between "then and now". These songs song contemporary, but they wouldn’t sound out of place next to 80’is hard rock classics like Def Leppard, Dokken or indeed the two aforementioned bands. Did I mention that the band looks like rock stars too? Well they do.

Some of the highlights of this fine album include ”Can’t Walk Away”, the AOR-friendly, balladic ”Everywhere Tonight” and ”A Thousand Lies”, which has a touch of Bullet For My Valentine in it. BFMV at their most melodic best, mind you. And it’s just a touch.

My favorite track at the moment takes a pet peeve of mine, strangles it and hands it back to me in a highly attractive package. I’m talking about ”holding on” - just when I was ready to say that the world does not need yet another melodic rock song called ”Hold On” or ”Holdin’ On”, Night By Night come up with a song called ”Holding Onto Holding On” and it’s friggin’ awesome! Hooks, melodies, interesting axemanship, great vocals… the song’s got all that and more. I still think that to release song called ”Hold On” in 2014 is at least a felony, but these guys turn it up to eleven and get away with it!

I’ve been wondering whether I should give this the full R’s, as it’s something I don’t do lightly, but what the heck! I think these guys have figured something out, and they might just be the band that will draw younger fans to the genre. Check them out, and TELL EVERYBODY!

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Michael BORMANN: ”Love Is Magic - The Best Of Ballads”

Rating: RRR
Label: RMB Records 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

”The Travelling Singer” Michael Bormann is possibly one of the busiest guys in the scene. His name pops up on a regular basis, when bands announce their new singer or producer. It seems like he joins at least three bands a year, yet still finds time to produce a few albums in between other commitments. Somehow it feels that the most stable thing in his life seems to be his solo career, which he resurrects every now and then.

Bormann’s solo albums have been of varying quality, but one thing has remained the same - he’s always known how to write and perform a ”tearjerker”. This compilation features ballads from his solo albums but also newly recorded versions of ballads originally recorded by Jaded Heart, Rain and a couple of previously unreleased songs. 15 songs in total, some value for money even if you’ve got most of his stuff already. That said, you’ll have to be a pretty hardcore ballad fan to enjoy fifteen of them back to back! I can’t say that I am, and therefore this album doesn’t work really for me. Some of these ballads are among my favorite Bormann-sung tracks (”I Wanna Hear Your Voice”, ”Love Is Magic”), but then there are the others which are nice but frankly not particularly exciting… It’s quality stuff all the same, so if you already like Bormann or are a huge fan of hard rock ballads in general, you should check this out.

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SONIC STATION: ”Next Stop”

Rating: RRRR
Label: Avenue Of Allies 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

This is the second album from Swedish AOR group Sonic Station. The band has slightly toughened up their sound compared to the pop/westcoast-flavoured first album, which in my books is a good thing. Fans of the debut should not worry though, ”Next Stop” is still very much a ”soft rock” album, it’s not like than band has turned to metal all at once! The guitars are just more upfront, the overall vibe a bit more rocking and uptempo and the hooks are sharper.

You can’t really talk about this album without mentioning a certain band. Yes, there’s a very strong Toto influence evident on many of the songs. It does delight me that most of the ”Totoesque” songs seem to have drawn their influences from albums like ”Isolation” and ”Seventh One”, which are my favorite Toto albums.

The main man of the band is writer/producer/songwriter Alexander Kronbrink, who has penned a rather fine selection of AOR songs for this album. I could imagine this album making him a sought-after producer too, as it sounds like ”a million bucks”, as the old saying goes… It’s not completely Kronbrink’s show though, the two singers of the project pretty much steal the show. Johan Boding is the latest addition to the band and he has a perfect voice for this kind of material, very much like Joseph Williams in his prime. The female voice belongs to Marika Willstedt, and she is just as impressive.

The standout tracks for me are the hi-energy AOR track ”Brighter After Dark”, ”Love Clash” with its’ anthemic, slightly Starship-like chorus, the Big Ballad ”Hide And Seek” and ”Half Of My Heart” which could be described as ”Alien in Isolation” (get it?). The Work Of Art-like ”Amelia” is a good one too, as are most of the others… a few of the tracks are still a bit too westcoast-y for me, but overall, ”Next Stop” is a winner and a major leap forward for the band.

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THE RADIO SUN: ”Wrong Things Right”

Rating: RRRR
Label: Melodic Rock Records 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

Did you ever heard Square One, the Australian rock band? I did, and quite liked them. The band disappeared from the radar a few years ago, but now most of the band members have resurfaced in The Radio Sun. Vocalist Jason Old, guitarist Steve Janevski and drummer Ben Wignall are continuing with bass player Robbie Erdmanis, and it seems that their mission is still the same - to write instantly catchy, timeless power pop tunes.

The band has a sound that takes influences from the past decades yet doesn’t sound too retro. Take the title track which opens the album for instance: it starts with smooth accapella harmonies, followed by some crunching guitars and swirling keys that remind me of Cheap Trick. The verses are very melodic with Jason Old sounding a lot like Vega’s Nick Workman, while the chorus is pure harmonious bliss.

You can hear that the boys have been listening to a lot of Rick Springfield, Nelson and Butch Walker’s work, combining these influences to a very appealing style of their own. Almost each one of these songs sounds like a potential summer hit, but if I were to pick up a couple of ”most likely to succeed”, I’d vote for the aforementioned title track and ”Summer Girl” with its’ gigantic melodic hook.

The album’s only downfall is the fact that some of the songs sound a bit alike, but since they’re all good, that’s hardly a big thing. ”Wrong Things Right” is one of the most stunning debuts of this year and it really should find a bigger audience that just us melodic rock diehards. Radio people, hello? Are you awake? Summer hits here, ones that do not irritate!

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SAGA: "Sagacity"

Rating: RRRR
Label: earMUSIC/Edel 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

All praise to the Sage and not to mention Sagacious person who came up with Sagacity as title for the brand new Saga album. What to expect from the classy Canadians on their forthcoming album? - a little bit of everything really? Indeed. Saga, truly your pizza and pie version of complexity and rock. Have another slice of Prog-Rock or why not the New Wave-ish salad as your side-dish? So many different levels and elements of music and each section just as important to their overall sound.

You have as always the distinctive and very excellent voice of Michael Sadler, the extensive keyboard attacks and arrangements, the classy guitar work, the interesting and groovy bass lines, and last but not least, the caged animal behind the kit. You know, their characteristic sound. However, they add a modern touch to their arrangements this time and it's perhaps more of the complex album than previous effort. With this in mind not much can go wrong if you enjoy the Saga. Here's the quick track-by-track:

Opener, "Let It Slide", reminiscent of Worlds Apart and Heads or Tales only groovier and featuring biting guitar work. "Vital Signs" show the artistic side of Saga. "It Doesn't Matter Who You Are", Gilmour gets to shine with an excellent performance. "Go With The Flow", one of those song structures that Yes experimented with in the early seventies and Saga completed in 2014? "Press 9", space rock met 80's New Wave? It's clearly one of their most quirky songs as of lately. Merely the atmospheric (spacey) keyboard in the background, the laid-back guitar work and those vocal harmonies. "Wake up", completely different and aggressive in comparison to previous track. The chanting vocal line (Wake Up!) and the short number (2:34 min.) work as your... ehem, yeah, Wake Up call.

"Don't Forget To Breathe", based around Ian's guitar line and riff, it may just lack a proper chorus part? "The Further You Go", mesmerizing... if you're tired of listening to the commercially side of music. "On My Way", pull out some huge eighties like arrangement and structure from their massive back catalogue without sounding too similar or samey. The keyboard/guitar interlude do the trick and it's just a superb track. "Luck", the return of the synthesizers. The epic closing track, "I'll Be", acoustic guitar intro followed up with teardrop-like ebony and ivory work and the powerful and catchy refrain. Pay extra attention to Crichton's perfect tone and solo here.

The only problem with Saga and Sagacity? They already have so many classic tracks and albums. They're fighting their own legacy so to speak and it's always difficult to please everybody. Damn solid and fine effort as always though. Or as Michael Sadler puts it: "For me this album marks a return to many of the signature elements that put Saga on the map at the onset of the band's career, while maintaining a firm grip on the here and now. The balance between past, present and future is the key and I think that's what we've managed to achieve. Quite simply, this is Saga... 2014"!
www.sagaontour.ca

TOTO: "35th Anniversary - Live In Poland"

Rating: Live
Label: Eagle Records 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

...And here's the latest live album from the soft-rock, AOR, west coast outfit originating from L.A. and came together originally as a one-off project by the finest session players of the ancient era of 1978. They're however not in Kansas anymore as this recording took place in Lodz, Poland and featuring my favourite Toto singer, Joseph Williams. Yup. The 7th one is my all-time fave album. It's their 35th Anniversary party recorded on the 25th of June, 2013 and this double live CD represent the best(?) of their timeless soft-rock. I personally wish they could include more songs from The Seventh One though.

Williams (still) possesses a fine voice and we're at times reminded of a somewhat better version of the man ála 1988. They possess songs that please the ears of any soft-rock fan and the live sound is almost too perfect at times. "I'll Be Over You" gets you in the heart every time and they manage to cover all the different periods of Toto from the classic debut to their latest effort in 2006? Also available on DVD and BluRay, we listened, we liked, we wondered, and merely wished we had the video version to review. The Tasmanian Devil a.k.a. Andrew McNeice is responsible for liner/sleeve notes. Good on ya' matey.

Kenny Wayne SHEPHERD: "Goin' Home"

Rating: RRR
Label: Provogue/Mascot Label Group
Review by Martien Koolen

 Kenny Wayne Shepherd released his new album Goin' Home on 28 April and this new CD is a discovery into the music of his biggest musical influences, like e.g. BB King, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Guitar Watson. On this album Shepherd's band consists of long time singer Noah Hunt, Chris Layton (drums), Tony Franklin (bass guitar) and Riley Osbourn on keybaords and piano. Furthermore Shepherd is assisted by Joe Walsh, Warren Haynes, Kim Wilson, Robert Randolph and Ringo Starr. So, great musicians and 25 classic blues tracks, what else dfo you need to have a good time? Hence, put the CD into your player, turn up the volume and enjoy blues rock classics in a modern Shepherd version.

Highlights for me are: You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now and Still A Fool, as both are the two longest tracks on the album and Kenny plays his best guitar solos in those two songs! Classic blues tracks like Boogie Man (funky with horns), or Born Under A Bad Sign need no further introduction, altough I prefer Pat Travers's version of Born Under A Bad Sign. The up tempo boogie/woogie like songs such as Palace Of The King, The House Is Rockin', You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover or Looking Back are not my personal favs, but the guitar solos in all those songs are still great to listen to. Goin' Home pays homage to the spirit of the original blues music and shows Kenny Wayne Shepherd's appreciation for the musicians and genre.

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NAVARONE: "Vim And Vigor"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Suburban Records
Review by Martien Koolen

The debut album of the Dutch alternative rockers Navarone A Darker Shade Of White received great reviews, so everybody was looking forward to their follow up album. Vim and Vigor - a weird title by the way - has just been released and it is a great album; far better than their debut! It is more mature and it rocks like hell. Trademark of Navarone is singer Merijn van Haren with his typical high pitched vocals. Just listen to the rocking opener Time and you know if you like Navarone or not.

Most of the 11 songs are dominated by heavy guitar riffs and hooks and that astonishing voice of Merijn. Highlight of the album is the song Indigo Blue, featuring a screaming guitar solo, which kind of reminds me of Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Navarone's music is really dynamic and 10 songs are really good rock songs but unfortunately there is one misser, an ood one out so to say; as it is jazzy, featuring trumpet and slide guitar...But Navarone is a band for the future, that is for sure. Play it LOUD!!

http://navarone.bandcamp.com/album/vim-and-vigor

The QUIREBOYS: "Black Eyed Sons" (2CD/1DVD)

Rating: RRRR+
Label: OffYerRocka/Border 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Still alive - 30 years down the line! This three-disc package marks the 30th anniversary of the band formerly known as The Queerboys and what a top value deal you receive. The Geordie and bandanna version of Rod Stewart treat us with a brand new studio album (Black Eyed Sons - 10 tracks), the live acoustic and unplugged at Sweden Rock CD (Unplugged in Sweden - 10 tracks) and last but certainly not least, the live DVD (Beautifully Cursed in London - 19 tracks). Keeping the World Cup Football in Brazil in mind, this is one helluva' impressive hat-trick (2CD, 1 DVD) worthy of Ronaldo, Messi, or any other class act player (Neymar, Mandzukic, Suárez, Aguero, Dzeko, Lukako).

The new studio album, "Black Eyed Sons", exactly what Jagger recommended and then some. I believe that some of these songs are leftover from the Beautiful Curse sessions? Produced by Chris Tsangarides and represents yet another career high for a band that simply can do no wrong at this particular moment of time. It's the classy album with roots buried in the U.K. tradition of Rolling Stones and The Faces. In fact. Someone give Rod immediately a call, "Julieanne" is the cheeky and fun attempt at beating the Highlander at his favourite game. Big grin stretched across the faces of fans all around the world as this is the excellent ballad which only Rod could do justice in the past. Actually. KISS did something similar with "Hard Luck Woman" and Peter "Not-Quite-Rod" Criss at the mike. Not that Spike could do any other ballad with his whiskey and barbwire voice.

...And while you're at it, give the Stones a ring. "You Never Can Tell" and "Mothers Ruin", are calling from the year of 1974. The latter may remind you of "Fool To Cry" somehow? Nothing new or fancy (or "A little bit of what you fancy"?), it's basic as well as classic rock from the opening note of "Troublemaker" to the closing ditto of "Monte Cassino" (Lady Lane). Pure, all out energy with fun tunes and attitude. This is must have or you'll miss out on the next trip back to the rock'n roll future of Mick, Rod, and Spike.

The Unplugged In Sweden CD, perhaps the least interesting of the three discs and it's still a jolly good time. Spike, Griffin, Guerin, and Weir form the acoustic four at the main stage of 2013's Sweden Rock festival – in front of 40,000 vikings and vagabonds. They truly are a top-drawing, concert attraction and in between banter from Spike is party on as always and I quote, "I'm drinking non-alcoholic cider- I'm just kidding". Or why not the classic line of "this next song is about drinking... [pause]... and women". And how can you not enjoy acoustic versions of "Have A Drink On Me", "Roses & Rings", "I Don't Love You Anymore", "7 O'Clock"? etc. Excellent. Unfortunately, they've managed to screw up the printed track listing on the package. No biggie though.

The DVD: London, let me hear ya' - We're The Quireboys and this is rock'n roll. Except they kick off the show with "Black Mariah" instead of "This Is Rock'N Roll". Well... it's still rock'n roll, but you know what I'm getting at. Spike do enjoy his pint or ten while performing and he's at least semi-pissed towards the end of the show. Not that it matters since he's the old school performer and not some posh t##t with an attitude. Down to earth and having a drink with the audience instead of looking down from above. You get all the goodies such as, "There She Goes Again", "Tramps & Thieves", "Hey You", "7 O' Clock" and "I Don't Love You Anymore", the best ballad Rod never wrote. "Homewreckers & Heartbreakers" really comes alive like your vintage (pre-image) Whitesnake. Surprise of the bunch, "Mona Lisa Smiled", such a great tune and perfect sing-a-long on stage. The pure joy of performing live goes through the screen and in to your living room and the 7 CAM shot DVD featuring the London leg of last year's Beautiful Curse tour is a treat with a capitol T.

DVD bonus material: band interviews, the promo video of "Mother Mary" and the acoustic live in the studio versions of "Mother Mary", "Beautiful Curse", "27 Years", "Devil Of a Man". Interviews, in between songs, speak of old tour memories, Monsters Of Rock, etc. Spike inform us about moving down from Newcastle to London at the mere age of 16 and playing the London scene for 6, 7 years until they finally received their first recording contract. "Keeping English Rock'N Roll alive - that's what we were put on this earth to do is to keep English Rock'N Roll alive. Can't do anything else", Spike proudly says and yours truly can merely nod and agree. He's probably shite at football. That's one more thing in common with Rod Stewart :) Highly recommended.
www.quireboys.com

NIGHT RANGER: "High Road"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Frontiers 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Vrooom!!! Who dat? The Knight Rider and Kitt? Nah. It's the Night Ranger on the High Road after midnight and I don't think they'll ever go home? And why should they? They still have a good thing going in 2014. The guitar riffs are plenty and the hooks are as sharp as in their heydays. It's just a slightly different sound than your ordinary Sister Christian. If you had to put a label on this great album, I guess the nearest you'd get is a bit less of the schlock and more of the rock in the vein of Damn Yankees and Tom Petty & The Torpedoes.

It's catchy, fun, guitar oriented rock with classy compositions by the three original members: Jack Blades, Brad Gillis, Kelly Keagy. They all know what they're doing. To date, Night Ranger has sold 17 million units worldwide and boasts several platinum and gold-certified albums. The approach they use in the studio may suggests a modern production and influence, but in reality it's retro rock with the technology of today. Most of the album, even though it sticks to your basic four chord classic rock formula, sounds fresh and energetic. A couple of oddities, but really just the great album effort in the fun uptempo mood.

In fact. When they slow it down and transform their rawk into more personal messages and emotion on "Only For You Only" or "Brothers", they're still just as professional and exciting. By the way, that "Brothers" tune is clearly the sound of Macca (ex. Beatles' Paul McCartney) and The Wings ála 1974. They even throw in the old "hey now" and it's the proper sing-a-long around the bonfire. Final verdict: Crank it up throughout the summer as this is your feel-good soundtrack of melodic rock.
www.nightranger.com
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The GHOST WOLVES: "Man, Woman, Beast"

Rating: RRRR
Label: PlowBoyRecords 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Since you already have the big, the bad, the hungry, cry, ordinary, and various sport teams. Why not the Ghost? Coming at ya' - not in pack but as the married couple of Carley (vocals/guitar) and Jonny (drums) armed with fury licks and clawy tricks, the duo goes for the jugular with stompy delta blues and loud indie/garage rock. I'm not entirely sure if the 'blues only' fan will appreciate this particular duo of Wolves though?

It's perhaps just too quirky and punky/indie at times and you definitely need to enjoy the outlandish rock of (early) The B-52's, The Fall, White Stripes, as well as the old delta sound of yesterday and year. Carley Wolf is the evil Betty Boop kind of vocalist with as much attitude and hunger as the entire team of Wolverhampton (bring back Steve Bull now!). The band's ferocious, primal sound with nothing but a four-piece kit and an electric guitar takes you waaay back in time and has nothing in common with your modern era production or fake azz musician. It's pure, honest, raw, and very much down to earth.

It's the utter fun album effort featuring 13 tracks recorded in US of A and Austin's Arlyn Studios (Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.) and mastered by Howie Weinberg (The Clash, Nirvana, The Ramones). I really can't pick any favorite tracks since I truly enjoy them all and the bare-bones riffery and slide gets you right between the eyes. It's hardly the guitar work of the fast shredding influenced six-sting bender though. Recommended.
www.theghostwolves.com
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TESLA: "Simplicity"

Rating: RRR
Label: Frontiers 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Blimey. What ever happened to uptempo or at least the minor change of pace? Listening to Tesla's new album, "Simplicity", it's all mid tempo and with your cruise control at full swing. The first couple of tracks (MP3, Ricochet) drag its heavy load like a 18-wheeler on a slow-ride across the universe and the moment sadly never touches the greatness of past albums. True. Simplicity is something we all strive for in this modern world of technology and stress. But I'm not pleased with the songs and I wish they could just pick up the pace. Opening tracks are important after all and these two are sadly not the great pair. It's basically Tesla on dope and I don't like it.

There's no need for any major concern though. Well, not if you enjoy the laid-back stuff anyhow. Good, but, slow and mid tempo, tracks are coming at ya' next in the form of "Rise and Fall" and the ghost story. "So Divine", grabs you by the throat and never let go as they build up the moment with the acoustic guitar intro, catchy hook, and smoking hot guitar solo. "Cross My Heart", the piano boogie rock of Rod Stewart and The Faces or if you prefer The Quireboys? Good stuff, pretty slow (again), and give the feeling of a smokey bar way out in the bush. "Honestly", the fine semi-ballad with a sort of uptempo chorus, but not quite. "Flip Side", the bluesy B-side of the story and not the best of tracks to be honest.

"Other Than Me", yet another ballad and "Break Of Dawn" is finally sort of uptempo and Rhino Bucket/X-Sinner-ish with a guitar bridge from Aerosmith and Dream On. What's next, you ask? Well, another ballad of course, "Burnout To Fade", however, this is probably the best track off the album. "Life Is A River", surprise, surprise, it's a ballad! "Sympathy", the mid tempo track with tasteful guitar work and boring chorus part. "Time Bomb", may sound like it's going to explode in your face? it's yet another ultra slow-ride with a heavy load like the opening two tracks. The closing track, "Til' That Day", you guessed it, ballad again.

The bottomline: Don't expect this to RAWK since it's basically wild rockers of the past gone old and toothless? It's still a neat album, if you enjoy the laid-back schtuff.
www.teslatheband.com
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The DAGGER: "The Dagger"

Rating: RR
Label: Century Media 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Ahhw... yet another Swedish act in the late 70's met early 80's British Hard Rock tradition and style. I need this like a knife in the back. But let's do the quick stab at their material which sort of remind us of the rusty old blade instead of the razor sharp cut-throat. They have clearly jumped on the Swedish bandwagon of transforming Purple and NWOBHM into viking rock and twin guitar harmonies of sub-standard quality. Don't get me wrong. It's hardly the crap album or the tragic waste of space. It's just not very original and there's plenty of U.K. acts doing similar efforts only with better result.

But seriously... what's wrong with their native home and roots if all the bands have to resort to British clichés and same old era 'ala 1978 (that's actually one of their songs by the way: '1978'). They should at least receive praise for not covering the same old Purple or Priest tune. Lo and behold. They have actually managed to track down the semi-obscure Birmingham act, The Quartz, and their "Mainline Riders". Kudos for digging up the mad Brummies. Quartz followed in the footsteps of this rather famous Birmingham act (read: Black Sabbath) and they are perhaps not too original in the first place?

"Skygazer" and "Electric Down" are two excellent examples of their retro rock though. It's all very seventies and major sideburns and roaring Hammond/guitars are key ingredients. They rely on simple tricks and mixing seventies and eighties U.K. hard rock is seldom the answer to finding their own style and sound. Nice twin guitar harmonies and melodies. A bit too nice if you ask me.

URIAH HEEP: "Outsider"

Rating: RRR
Label: Frontiers 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Yabba-dabba-doo? Fair enough. Let's not do the Flintstones and woolly mammoths repertoire since it's just as stupid as going after kids for being young. However. Uriah Heep are still releasing new studio albums and going on sort of strong after the +45 years in the music business. RockUnited.com enjoyed their previous release at Frontiers and 'Outsider' is sadly one or possibly two step in the wrong direction. Not as much the outsider than out in the woods and lost amongst all the paths that lead to Hammond.

To each great tune, there's one not-so-great track and especially this (Rock The Foundation) had us screaming for the skip button, Quote, "Baby's gonna rock the foundation. Cos' baby's got a lot to share. Baby's gonna cause a sensation. Cos' baby's wants a love affair", end quote. Blimey. And you thought that merely your non-English act wrote dodgy lyric? Yours truly came up with similar stuff at the age of 13 and apparently you can do the same if you're from United Kingdom and older than Merlin and co. That's a bit harsh? You say? Yeah, but, c'mon... the song is duller than a dull old thing such as dull old former President Bush (J.R.) on dope.

Clearly not their best work and the album is something of a hit and miss thing with two sides of the coin. There's still a proper spark in the dark every now and then and the Hammond attack of opener "Speed Of Sound", classy and definitely Heep. The piano opening of "One Minute", gets you in the heart and lyric-wise, much better, but still no home run. "The Law" is unfortunately one huge step in the wrong direction. The chorus part is hardly worth the trouble. Good stuff ahead though. "Is Anybody Gonna Help Me", feature the classy vocal performance by Bernie Shaw and the Hammond is upfront and booming. Very nice and I really like this track. I probably shouldn't type this, but it's Deep Purple-ish somehow? Great stuff nonetheless.

"Looking At You", yet another great tune with the signature of Mick Box and again the Hammond at the centre of attention. "Can't Take That Away", Heep at their best with close to galloping style and one of those choruses to shout along to. "Jessie", simplicity at work and could just as easily have been the catchy pop tune, if not for the roaring Hammond and excellent guitar solo by Box. It's weird though. The last 6 tracks on the album are all great fun and the first 5 are so-so, meh, and whatever.
www.uriah-heep.com

VANITY BLVD: "Wicked Temptation"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Noisehead Records 2014
Review by Rich Dillon

It almost seems that Sweden has become the new Sunset Strip of late 80’s L.A. turning out a veritable force of sleaze and glam rock bands and the Avesta/Stockholm based Vanity BLVD is no exception! 

Being a “judge a book by the cover” kind of guy sometimes, the first thing I look at with a new album, especially if the band is unknown to me, is the album artwork.  In this case Vanity BLVD’s latest offering, Wicked Temptation, showcases artwork that just screams sleaze.  Perfect, can’t wait to spin this one…….

Opening up with “Dirty Rat” just confirmed all of my suspicions about this release and band with its piss and vinegar type of attitude laden riffs and lyrics.  “Miss Dangerous” gets the fist pumping and keeps the record moving through to “Do or Die” for which there’s a video accompaniment. ("Do or Die" Official Video)  From there we get into “Hot Teaser”, a really catchy track dripping with sleazy lyrics that could well be the “top of the heap” here for me.  And that’s only the first four selections of an eleven track complement, the rest following right along making a fine collection sure to please fans of the genre, the only low point being the ballad “Falling Down”.

Given my enjoyment of Wicked Temptation I was wondering why I had not crossed paths with Vanity BLVD. previously.  There is not a lot of information readily available on the history of the band and even their Facebook page (VanityBLVD) offers only “let the music do the talking ;)” under the biography column.  Aside from their formation in 2005 and the debut release, Rock N Roll Overdose, being issued in 2008 the only deduction I can make is that they’ve endured some line up adjustments over the years since formation.  This current slice of dirty, glammy heaven features Traci Trexx wielding the axe while Pete Ash handles bass and Jens Gebb sits behind the kit.  The trio of guys are led by the sometimes sultry, occasionally gruff vocal prowess of Anna Savage.  A definite must for anyone loving the glam era of the late 80’s.

Website:  http://www.vanityblvd.com/index.php

MIRACLE MASTER: "Tattooed Woman"

Rating: RRRR
Label: GoldenCore Records/ZYX 2014
Review by Rich Dillon

Have you ever heard of the band Miracle Master?  No worries, me neither until I was sent their debut release for review, but I do suspect however that that will change.  The band issued their debut effort, Tattooed Woman, in March via GoldenCore Records/ZYX Music with whom Miracle Master has penned a worldwide record deal.  Proclaiming Stuttgart as their hometown, Miracle Master has also teamed up with the folks at Germany’s RockNGrowl Management.  They are comprised of the former members of the band Pump with drummer Andy Minich, bassist Michael Vetter and the double axe assault of Aki Reissmann and Selly Bernhardt.  The departure of Pump vocalist Marcus Jurgens made way for the addition of Oliver Weers to form Miracle Master.

Unsure what to expect by looking at the album cover, which invokes a Wild West kind of feel resembling a movie one-sheet promo poster that’s almost a cross between Gone with the Wind and a Quentin Tarantino feature if that makes any sense.  All doubts were instantly washed away with this hefty slab of dirty hard rock.  There’s nothing too complicated or out of control here, just straight ahead grinding hard rock riffs with a modern twist from time to time and enough solos, none of which are too over the top, to shake a stick at.

Although my ears were perked up right at the start with the opener “Come Alive” and it’s follow up of “Fly Away” I found that the album just seemed to improve as the listen went on.  The top tracks for me are “Stay With Me” featuring a lowdown, grinding riff uplifted with a melodic chorus, “Miracle Masters” with it’s blistering fast pace that just seems to be over too soon and the finale of “We All Touch Evil” leaving you hungry for another track, so you press play once again.  All the compositions contained are hard rock delights even the Nickelbackish (of whom I am most certainly not a fan) sounding title track, “Tattooed Woman”, and I recommend that you keep an ear to the ground on Miracle Master!

WEBSITE:  http://www.miracle-master.com/

DRIVING MRS SATAN: "Popscotch"

Rating: N/A
Label: Agualoca Records 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Gather around the bonfire! Bring out your grand piano, cello, ukulele, flugelhorn, classical guitar, and glockenspiel, it's time to replace your muddy mosh pit with the London/Naples-based acoustic trio which reinterprets famous Metal songs in the unique way and style. It's one of those *I remember when I first heard* moments as Driving Mrs Satan is something waaay different from your ordinary album of metal covers. And to be completely honest... I'm fed up listening to covers that sound exactly like the originals (only worse) anyhow.

Cleverly done and performed with love to the original genre as well as to the pure joy of transforming them into sophisticated, jazzy, at times almost medieval, indie pop numbers with sulky and sexy female vocals by Claudia Sorvillo. One thing's for sure. You have never heard the following songs performed quite like this before: "I Want Out" (Helloween), "Battery" (Metallica), "Killers, 2 Minutes To Midnight, Can I Play With Madness" (Iron Maiden), "Caught In a Mosh" (Anthrax), "Killed By Death" (Motorhead), "Hells Bells" (AC/DC), "Never Say Die" (Black Sabbath), "South of Heaven" (Slayer), "From out of Nowhere" (Faith No More).

There's been lounge albums with their versions of Metal anthems in the past (horrible ones), but not quite like this. Avant-garde or avant-pop? Completely different from the originals yet with the familiar structure and arrangement, the trio's playful interpretation of "Battery", "Can I Play With Madness" or "Never Say Die", gets the new meaning and dimension to the listener. Some tracks are better than others and it's clearly not your new all-time fave album. Nonetheless. The gentle sound gets to you and it's simply just nice to have this playing in the background. So now you know, Metal is Driving Mrs Satan only with the fuel of soft U.K. indie pop?
www.drivingmrssatan.com
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SEVEN: ”s/t”

Rating: RRRR
Label: Escape Music 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

Seven were a UK-based band that managed to achieve prestigious supports slots (Brother Beyond, Richard Marx) and a major record deal with Polydor. Their story lasted from 1989 to 1990, during which they released two singles, both of them produced by John Parr. The singles charted in the lower steps of the UK top 100 chart and were supported by music videos. You can check out the videos (”Inside Love” and ”Man With A Vision”) on YouTube. Those videos show that the band had a rather clean-cut, pop image, which probably helped them to win over the audiences of Brother Beyond and… Jason Donovan.

Now, only 24 years later, the band has released their first album. The mastermind behind the release is Escape Music boss Khalil Turk, who met the band’s bass player Pat Davey when he was working on another album for the label. His enthusiasm lead to this album being recorded. Thanks to modern technology the fact that the two of the band members live in South Africa and the rest of them in the UK doesn’t mean a thing, Swedish producer Lars Criss just kept the files flying and finally put together this rather fine album.

Compared to the two singles of the early nineties, the reformed Seven is more clearly a rock band. Criss has given their sound a bit more crunch, without losing the band’s pop sensibility. Keyboards are heavily featured and the band’s harmonies are smooth as ever.


The Seven 2014 sounds a bit like a mixture of early FM, Foreigner, Boston and RTZ. The band’s sound has been somewhat updated but this is still probably one of the more ”classic AOR” styled albums of this year. Highlights for my money include the revamped ”Inside Love”, the very Foreigner-sounding ”Still”, ”Strangers”, ”Thru The Night” and the keyboard-heavy ”Don’t Break My Heart”. The rest of them aren’t bad either. Yeah, this is a very strong ”RRRR” album. Good things come to those who wait… even if it’s for 24 years.

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Tarja TURUNEN & Mike TERRANA: "Beauty & The Beat"

Rating: Live
Label: earMUSIC/Edel 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

... And now for something completely different. Replace the 'S' from beast with your nutty drummer and get Finland's one and only royalty to sing... ehh, well, the unusual stuff at her usual range and you're all set for the classical evening of Bach, Struass, Dvorak, Puccini, Offenbach, Rossini, and Mozart (13 tracks: disc one). The full orchestra and choir (approx: 100 folks on stage) doing their parts perfectly, I'm surprised this off-the-chart project doesn't take place in the Sauna after all? It's clearly hotter than hell and especially the first disc where Tarja's vocal performances really shines like those poor Chernobyl kids (they glow in the dark you know).

Originally intended as the one-time event in 2011, the show garnered critical adoration from fans and media alike. In the Spring of 2013, Turunen, and the bloke at the back of the stage, Terrana, brought these eclectic sounds to the stage again, touring throughout the world, from Poland to Russia to Mexico, all captured on this very 2CD set, Beauty & The Beat. Classical music kicks major butt and it's definitely Tarja's territory. Make especially sure to check out her versions of "Vilja Lied" (Lehar) and "Mein Herr Marquis" (Strauss) as those two are 'nearly up there amongst the very best. The drummer bang along to the beat of "William Tell Overture" (Rossini) and "Ein Kleine Nachtmusik" (Mozart) and it's all very... decent? Simply bring back the Finn on stage...

Disc two (8 tracks) kicks off with "You Take My Breath Away" (Queen) before going into Turunen's "The Reign" and "Witch Hunt", which eventually turn into the 8-minute Led Zeppelin medley consisting of "Kashmir", bits of "The Immigrant Song", pieces of "Stairway to Heaven" and plenty of high-pitch wailing notes. The final words goes to Tarja T and I quote, "I believe this kind of combination of instruments, particularly playing mainly classical music, is very unique. I have been making collaborations with orchestras before and I could foresee a great outcome. Our main goal with these kind of concerts is that the younger audience experiences the beauty and power of a symphonic orchestra and choir. Hopefully it will serve as an introduction to classical music for some of our fans". Good on ya' Tarja. You little ripper... and not to mention Beauty. Recommended.
www.tarja-beautyandthebeat.com
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LILLIAN AXE: ”One Night In The Temple”

Rating: RRRR
Label: Melodicrock Records 2014
Review by Kimmo Toivonen

Although I’ve liked Lillian Axe since 1989 when I first heard their ”Love+War” album, a few things were against this album and I was kind of hesitant to listen to it. First of all, most live albums I own haven’t been getting a lot of ”airplay” in this household, I usually go for the studio versions if I want to listen to something. Secondly, the recent Lillian Axe material has been on the heavier side of things, with guitarist/songwriter Steve Blaze’s unique melodies buried under heavy riffs and dark atmosphere. To my surprise, this album has been getting a lot of spins recently, and some of these ”unplugged” versions of the newer songs bring them to life quite nicely.

New vocalist Brian Jones doesn’t have an easy task with the older songs, which have been etched in my memory sung by Ron Taylor, one of my all-time favorite singers. To be honest, some of the ”classics” just sound a bit ”wrong” with Jones singing them, but that’s just me and my memories. He does a very decent job after all.

The two songs from the first album (”Misery Loves Company” and ”Nobody Knows”) feature vocalist Johnny Vines, who was in the band during its’ formative years. I had no idea that Taylor wasn’t the original singer, but you learn something new everyday. Vines is a good singer too, and does a fine job on the two songs. I just wish Blaze could’ve lured Taylor to the show to sing a few of his signature numbers…

Highlights for me include ”The Day I Met You” with Anne Young-Bridges on violin, ”The Great Divide”, ”The World Stopped Turning” and ”The Promised Land”, to name a few. All in all this is a very enjoyable album, with the emphasis on the fine melodies of the Lillian Axe songs.

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Super Duper ALICE COOPER (DVD)

Rating: DVD
Label: Eagle Vision 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Super Duper Alice Cooper - what a trooper! From Banger Film, the creators of Iron Maiden: Flight 666 and Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, comes the story of Vincent Furnier, the preacher's son who struck fear into the heart of America in the seventies. Good luck with that now as people have seen the most horrible things over the internet for the past twenty years. Anyhow. They promote this as the definitive story of The Coop, that's simply not true in my humble world and opinion. The Bangers decision to end the film at the Halloween 1986 comeback MTV happening is weird. There's not a single word of Coop's real comeback (Trash/1989) or anything post-1986 for that matter. It's basically the definitive story of the 70's... with just a hint of the early 80's (his worst and most tragic period). The man was locked up at the Sanatorium for pete's sake.

It's otherwise a smashing DVD that combines audio interviews with a wealth of archive footage covering concerts, TV appearances, movie cameos, and magazine spreads. Coop' himself as the main narrator with Dennis Dunaway as the sidekick and special guests such as Elton John, Iggy Pop, John Lydon and Dee Snider. It goes back to Furnier/Dunaways' first encounter in high school. Playing Yardbirds' covers and moving to L.A. where they get the drug dealer of the rock stars (Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, etc.) as their first manager and being signed to Frank Zappa's label. Frank wanted their first album to sound and I quote, 'like if I'm driving by a garage and the band is practising'. Reviews such as a tragic waste of plastic and weird stage performances made them the most hated band in L.A.

Watch them leave the L.A. scene for Detroit, the very opposite to La-la-land where anybody who played loud and anti-society music was accepted. Iggy Pop and MC5 are the house Gods and Alice' audience was a new audience by now. Kids on the lunatic fringe of society, the ones that were left out. Hooking up with Bob Ezrin and the outrageous live show where theatrics such as chopping up baby dolls would really drive the parents crazy, turned a bunch of losers to winners or at least for a while. "Giving Alice Cooper a hit was like the lunatics running the asylum". You get to experience the tension between Alice/Vince and the rest of the band as the singer went barking mad on alcohol, coke, and not to mention fame. The latter part being the worst addiction of them all. Vincent or rather Alice truly believed in the b.s. and thought of himself as a God for a good part of the seventies.

"We've killed a chicken in front of 70,000 hippies" - It's just too darn easy to blame everything on the "character" of Alice Cooper instead of Vincent Furnier. We are presented with the Jekyll and Hyde tale including footage from Lon Chaney's silent movie and everything. In the end, it's all down to Vincent and the choices he made and everything else is b.s. and lies. I doubt the audience of this film will buy the whole, "but now I was Alice and Alice had a life of his own". That's (dis)illusion at its worst form and shape. And why Michael Bruce (the guitarist and creator of many classic Alice riffs) has been removed from the movie is just weird since there's not a single mention of his work!? Bonus material are deleted scenes, rare footage's and the Metal Evolution interviews. It's a smashing film and story, but sadly not the complete story. Let's hope for a part: 2 in the future? One thing's for sure though. I never quite understood how big of a star Alice truly was in the 70's prior to watching this. Highly recommended.