HOUSTON-"IV"

 

Sweden rocks, rules ,reigns etc. Another album, another success and West Coast AOR lovers can laid back and enjoy their martini along the album. From SURVIVOR to Robert Tepper, melodic lines, keyboards, sing along choruses, razor sharp guitars and heartbroken lyrics about lost loves and inner strength "Hero" are all over the album. When you have songs like "You re still the woman", "Heartbreaker", "I will not give in despair". "Such is love" and "A lifetime in a moment" there are not enough words to describe the feelings created when you listen to them. 

 

 

Sugar coated, gold gilded AOR a mix between SURVIVOR, TRILLION, 101 SOUTH and FOREIGNER, this album delivers like a true IV. On the contrary to their  80s origins, the more they mature, the better albums they release, unlike "Rocky' and 'Rambo' series. So rent a convertible, a big boobs escort, a yacht and live the album to the limit.

 

8,5

Yola-'Stand for myself"

An album that starts with a soulful "Barely alive" and keeps rising the temperature with some RnB, soul, rock tunes that wink at Stax and the golden 70s all in favor of the great passionate, emotional voice of Yola. The dance floor favorite "Dancing away in tears" with the disco overtones, the honky tonk "Diamond studded shoes" or the laid back, "Be my friend" a song that could be easily at any Free album."Great divide" is another example of the versatility of her voice and the easiness she embraces different genres, a sugar coated ballad about heartbreak straight from the 60s songbooks. 'Starlight" is another jazz infused soul ballad with a dark dance twist and Yola's voice is as uplifting as ever. A bit more up tempo and modern "If i had to do it all again" is a modern pop song ready for the pop radio stations. At the same page/pace is "Now you are here, the smokey joints have been replaced by lounges with well dressed guys, but the warmth of Yola's voice is here even if the tempo has become more contemporary.

 

 

 

Yola is Bristol born and Nashville based but her voice is universal and her influences across decades and genres. So she is easily moves from the lounges to a 60s anthem like "whatever you want" with the slide guitar and the country overtones giving the tone."Break the bough" continues the up tempo ,soul effort, raising the roof of the joint with its intensity. It has to be "Like a photograph" for Yola to let her most sensitive side take over, once more in this countrified, jazzy ballad with the strings taking over like a Burt Bucharach's song, proving her voice range and her abilities to deliver emotionally, regardless the genre. The album is closing with "Stand for myself" a modern soul rock album where Yola makes her statement as a female voice with passion and nothing to prove to anyone ,but her ability to rock any place. In our days of plastic pop and lounge soul for elevators, Yola delivers music from the soul for the soul.

 

 

7,5

 

STEW-"Taste"

STEW-"Taste"(Uprising records)

 

Retro rock with some more heavy twist. "Still got the time" is a song where Y&T meets LED ZEPPELIN to cover MOUNTAIN and the result is a grinder. A monolithic heavy riff over which the groove take all over the place, with no mercy for th) sensitive ears of rappers, trappers and pop lovers or those who like the corpse paint and the spandex rule their "metal". Actually the ghost of Plant,Page,Bonham and Jones are all over the place. "You dont need me' is another example of retro rock with some ethnic twist and a great overtone by Rpry Gallgher at the guitar solo ing."All that i need" is a fine example of their muscular, groovy 70s influenced hard rock with CREAM, LED ZEPPELIN, MOUNTAIN and early SCORPIONS joint to worship the six string and the Gods of Rock n roll.

 

 

The band as you understand is a power trio , originated from Lindesberg ,Sweden but they could have come from UK of the 70s with no doubt 'bout their origins. Straightforward, groovy, guitar driven hard rock with excellent male (at last) vocals from a singer who likes to sing and not scream, over the groovy  melodies of the band. An add to their sound is the powerful drumming of Dahlgen and the tight sound along with guitarist's Jansson  influences who include enough psychedelia, to make an old hippie cry and then listen to "When lights go out" a song fro which Gary Moore would kill to write,and definitely to play at. An album that praises the 70s and knows how not to become vintage, retro etc. A strong release that has to be listened to.

 

8

 

Brian Setzer -"Gotta have the rumble"

I could end the reviewer in one world, rockabilly. But I use a few more. Jerry lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Fats domino, Buddy holy are all here in an album where rockabilly meets streetwise music with some unexpected but equally loved twists. The eastern climates of "Smash upon highway one" bring a different feeling, to the album while "Rockabilly riot "is what the name says, a song from a juvenile delinquents institution. Setzer uses every trick in the book of rockabilly 'Cat with nine wives", "Turn you on, turn me on", "Off you rocker" but also adds the timeless of the twelve bar music and makes the album an effortless treat for today’s listener. 

 

 

Instead of making a romantic tour to the music of the 50s, he writes songs based on the rockabilly tradition but with a more contemporary sound, plus some country elements "Rockabilly banjo" ready to set the dance hall on fire and have the rockers get into a fight with everyone else. Masculine, rocking, and most of all compelling the album just gives the shivers o those who like their music popish, without nerve, quiet. Revolutionary , definitely not, out of the box and inventive , for sure.

 

 

7,5

 

The Courettes-"Back in mono"

A duet who unlike the WHITE STRIPES prefer the more polished form of rock n roll, instead the primitive form of blues. Influenced more by The Ronettes, Shangri Las etc along buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and the early twelve bar pioneers, they release an album (their third) full of sugar coated rock n roll /pop and rockabilly "Melodic and melancholic at songs like "My one and only baby", streetwise and rebels at "Edge of my nerves" the embrace the 50s with love and affection. 

 

 

If "Grease" would need a new soundtrack or even better "Happy days" becoming a movie,Fonzy would love to swing at their songs. Denmark (Martin) and Brazil Flavia unite their creative forces and bring the glory days of garage,rockabilly back on our turntables. The difference between them and bands like The Raveonettes, is they have a far more diversified, enriched sound and they love each and every aspect of early days rock n roll, even production wise, miming the famous Phil Spector ,"Wall of sound". 

All hail to the Courettes.

 

 

7,5

 

Smith/Kotzen- "Better days"

 

 

An ep in less than a year from the first full work, product of collaboration between Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN) and Richie Kotzen (WINERY DOGS). Does the ep has any value? Any reason to exist? For many reasons it has. The first contains four previously unreleased tracks, the heavier of them "Rise" with the participation of Mike Portnoy and a positive lyrical message regarding the Covid 19 situation worldwide (Thank God and science for the vaccine). The opener "Better days" has the Shrapnel/Mike Varney guitar dwelling we used to love in the Cacophony days,with the soulful vocals of Kotzen soften the final result and Smith giving his own tone at the backing vocals. A metal /soul track that grabs you by the throat and demand your ultimate attention.

 

 

“Got A Hold On Me”has the 70s smoking feeling all around from the opening guitar riff that could be in any MOUNTAIN, AEROSMITH, BLACK BETTY album or even pre 1984 WHITESNAKE. The neo classical bridge solo, just shows the versatility of both guitarists as players and composers.. Magnificent collaboration with great guitar pyrotechnics.“Hate And Love”is a more metallic, still groovy exercise with the great soul overtones by Kotzen's voice. An ep worth its value and existence , as it stretches the collaboration of these two great artists, conquering new heights.

7,5

 

Bernie Marsden- Chess

 

Mr Marsden continues his tribute to his musical influences covering songs from the Chess archives/αρτιστσ. Chess is the second album in Marsden’s “Inspiration Series,” . Chess sees Marsden offer two original compositions and 10 classics that were originally released on Chess Records by artists such as Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, and Elmore James.Raw, rocking, bluesy rock n roll with honky tonk overtones and his band tighter than Jenifer Lopez jeans and the result is an album to blow your speakers .From the opener "Just your fool" where harmonica steals the show to the laid back , Chess spirit is here with Marrsden on fire both in his playing as in his singing."Back in the USA" is a storming rock n roll tune ready to set the joint on fire and will make the original artist Chuck Berry smile up in the rock n roll heaven. More to the beat at Little Milton's “Grits Ain’t Groceries,”he lets the rhythm overflow and get the mojo working with the Hammond taking over.On Muddy Waters "I'm ready" he shows to each and everyone of us, that his ready for everything and he has the guts to prove it, in the laid back,steady blues track,where harmonica, once again gives the rhythm, before he takes the ead and bring the perfection through a few, but crucial and vital notes, on the pentatonic scale.

 

 

Another lively cover cones in "You can't judge a book" by Bo Diddley,where Marsden keep the rhythm alive and well. On 'I can't hold on' by Elmore James he just let the twelve bars get all over the place.Albert King’s “Won’t Be Hanging Around.” lets Bernie slow the engines and let the emotion step upfront and he does it in a true bluesy tradition with some excellent finger picking. "Fattening frogs for snakes" by Sonny Boy Williamson set the fret board on fire, in every possible way. Jimmy Rodgers 'That's alright" keeps the laid back, steady blues thrill, Marsden so colorful revives with this interpretations of these blues standards."Who s been talking" by Howling Wolf has the thrilling passion of BB King and Santana, the Latin feeling that makes the blues so attractive, in the Marsden version. The album’s two originals are “Lester,” a short, twelve bar , ballroom boogie and “Johnny,” a  groovier instrumental where Marsden's guitar steals the show with the phrases he spits to the astonished listener, a blues catalyst to release the good vibes of the blues.

 

8

"ELDOVAR: A Story of Darkness & Light" by Elder/Kadavar

 

"ELDOVAR: A Story of Darkness & Light" by Elder/Kadavar-

 

One of the most interesting side products of the Covid 19 quarantine was collaborations that fleurish out of nowhere. Stack in Berlin and meeting in studio,  members from US progers ELDER (Nicholas DiSalvo,  Michael Risberg and Georg Edert).and Berlins own children KADAVAR decided to collaborate and the result is a project equally extraordinary with what happened to the Western World these past two years. Imagine Ozzy period BLACK SABBATH meeting Danny Elfrman and HAWKWIND in a jam/trip over PORTISHEAD turns to understand the sonic equivalent of the project. Long duration songs that start mesmerizing build over a guitar riff and atmospheric sounds where vocals come in addition to the whole song and not as lead as we are used to. 

 

 

A tripy, doomy, gloomy, spacey depending on the song result ,claustrophobic, full of abandonment or gray shades as it was most of our life when the idea of a vaccine and a therapy was months away. ELDOVAR created a post rock/metal album where melody meets melancholy and metal meets atmospheric post rock , all in favor of art and self expression. Turn off the lights, light some candles and let the music warp you, thinking about the dark days ,till the morning sun releases you from the agony. A deeply esoteric album that demands listeners attention and pays back with vast emotions. An album to listen and think , an introspective album for modern rock lovers, without barriers where atmospheric post rock and stoner cross the barriers and create a new form of music self expression.

7

Deep Purple - "Turning to crime"

 

Finally the time has come, or Covid 19 made it happen for DEEP PURPLE  to release a covers album. The band from their early days never was afraid of covering songs from other artists . "Hush" their first hit was a cover version by Joe South, but Covid 19 and touring abstinence gave them the time to go through the catalogue of influences and pick some not so obvious choice to interpret them. Well musically nobody could have the slightest doubt that 2021 DEEP PURPLE wouldn't make it. Steve Morse and Don Airey are in great shape and help the utmost as most of the songs are from the 50s, 60s. For the same reason Ian Gillan doesn't have to stretch his voice. On the contrary he looks like he enjoys the band choices to cover, as rock n roll is all around, one of his favorite genres (Gillan and the Javelins). As for the rhythms section they are steadier than Gibraltar rock and have a groove that suits more to men with one third of their age, working like a Swiss clock with African heartbeat. 

 

 

 

Now regarding the songs they pick to cover ,  Huey "Piano" Smith's "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu, Little Feat "Dixie Chicken," Louis Jordan's  "Let the Good Times Roll,"  Bob Dylan  "Watching the River Flow" ,Jimmy Driftwood's "The Battle of New Orleans" are among the not so expected ones to cover, although Ian Gillan loves 50s music, Dylan would be a hard guess. Love's "7 and 7 Is" , `` Yardbird's "Shapes of Things,"Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels' "Jenny Take a Ride!", and CREAM's "White Room" are more obvious choices. It is the closing "Caught in the Act," where parts of of five '60s favorites - JJeff Beck Group"Going Down," Booker T. & the MG's' "Green Onions," Allman Brothers "Hot 'Lanta," Led Zeppelins "Dazed and Confused" and  Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'" -in a big, smokey, organ driven, guitar loaded mostly instrumental present the powerhouse that DEEP PURPLE of today are and makes a tour de force among the survivors of their generation. 

 A covers album maybe, a one to be proud of.

 

 

7,5

 

 

Cody Jinks-"Mercy"

 

 

Country rock or Rocking country, or even better countryified Americana, terms that have nothing to do with Cody Jinks and his new work. An artist who is loyal to his country roots and his rocking spirit and uses both genres as a good gunslinger both his hands to make the best out of his guns. An artist independent in music and personal approach, who writes music and communicates it to his fans, avoiding publicists and  major record companies, is the exemption of all the rules in our days. Emotional, full of power, swagger and also melancholy and love he lets the music do the talking. When someone releases a song like 'Hurt you" in these years of political correct fascism and the AntiFa movement castrating civil rights, you know America and the world still have a chance to breathe and speak freely. An in your face song about all those who betrayed us and want to live and walk the same earth with no consequences. My favorite song of the year . 

 

 

 

On other news, Cody Jinks finds another chance to talk about the common denominator to most rock and country albums, whiskey at "When whiskey call the shots",  heartbroken, abandonment at "Feeding The Flames.” with a twist from CREAM,  country radio soft spot “I Don’t Trust My Memories Anymore” and frustration at “Nobody Knows How to Read,”“Shoulders,” and  “Dying Isn’t Cheap" . From heartbreaking country songs to more middle of the road rockers, Cody use his best tool, his voice through simple chords and orchestrations to take us to a journey deep the badlands of loneliness and isolation ,through the mountains of human harness to the rainbow at the end of the wasted days, colored by whiskey and true friendship and love. An album for those who like their music country enough with a rocking edge, music from the heart and well structured to keep the listener singing all along in his pick up truck.

7

 The Damn Truth- "This is who we are now"

 

Canada's new big hope in retro/traditional ,70s influenced hard rock comes on our turntables with "This is who we are now". The Damn Truth are Lee-la Baum (lead vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (Lead guitars), PY Letellier (Bass0, Dave Traina (Drums). Their new album,their third, is  full of anthemic ,guitar driven hard rock in the vein of BAD COMPANY, PAT TRAVERS, LED ZEPPELIN, early HEART with the magnificent vocals of Lee- La Baum taking the lead and the harmonies where all the other members participate upgrading the final result. A touch of Anastasia meets Grace Slick gives a deep, soulful voice who commands in favor of the music and the songs ,letting the vocal extremities skip the landscape. "Tomorrow" could be easily on any Van Halen -Hagar period album as also at any Thunder album and been among the standing out ones.Powerful she helps the whole imagery come to reality. 

 

 

 

A bit psychedelic "Lonely", a bit rocking "The fire", a bit out of this world, melancholic and sensitive "Everything fades', the Zep-esque "Shot em" with its epic overtones, a song that could be at IV easily, they create muscular songs for those who like their rock unpretentious and sweaty,yet sensitive enough and most and above all trippy. Hippies in their heart, they finished the album during the pandemic and although six songs were produced by Bob Rock , the rest had to be finalized with another producer. Still the album is full of youthful enthusiasm and optimism like "Only love'. They love music, they love the world and all this comes out in every note, in every world. Embrace their music and love will conquer you.

7,5

Crimson Fire-"Another dimension"

 

Crimson Fire-"Another dimension"(No remorse records)

 

 

Greek melodic power metalers CRIMSON FIRE return with their third full length album. For those who are into IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST,RACER X, and at the same time have a soft spot for EUROPE, Swedish melodic rock in general, TREAT etc, they have a treat for you with their new album. From the icebreaker opener "Judas" where the crowds sig along the IRON MAIDEN riff, to the more heavy prog "Don't fall from the sky", the 80s are here in the metal way. HELLOWEEN meets SILVER MOUNTAIN meets HAMMERFALL meets CRIMSON FIRE in their own unique melodic, heavy sound, where AOR and heavy Unites. 

 

 

You think the album will be a HELLOWEEN meets MAIDEN candy and then comes "On the edge" and you feel the VIXEN era melodic rock taking the creative reins. 'Fire below" has the US power metal name written all over it, name it HEIR APPARENT, LIEGE LORD , it really doesn't matter, the quality is here. And then comes 'Set the night of fire' an 80 keyboard driven song, that you may compare with BATTLE BEAST etc but Mr.Britsas and Mr.Ganitis were 80s before the whole 80s retro movement with NFO came up front. So here we have a great metal/disco song where the palm trees bow to the musical intelligence of the Greek rockers. Imagine Miami Vice with better music and the dreadful suits and haircuts of Don Johnson, in leather edition. Great guitar work that compliments the songs, retaining the metal sound without making the whole project becoming retro. On the contrary is fresh and attractive to both Metal fans and fans of good music, to understand the width of their appeal.

 

 

"No fear' is an in your face heavy rock attack that "Lightning strikes" era LOUDNESS would love to have written."Eye of the storm" has the late 80s metal feeling with a Swedish pop scent and a great performance by Mr.Britsas and the rest of the band in an amalgam of heavy music and pop sensibility. SCORPIONS, JUDAS PRIEST and JEFFERSON STARSHIP in one song."Sold my soul" is pure US metal of the early 90s, from FIFTH ANGEL to LIZZY BORDEN. I guess you understand, there is no need to praise the twin guitar attack. It is all over the place, meaningful, melodic and never over exceeding."Chasing time" is another example of their musical diversity, where the 80s pop scene meets metal in the most fulfilling way. To put it simple for fans of melodic heavy rock and melodic power metal, US influenced, this is a great addition to your cd/album collection.

7,5

 

The Quill-"Earthrise"

 

 

 

QUILL are among the most underrated bands in the modern metal scene. Stoner, classical heavy and retro rock are all blended in their sound in the best possible analogies. The result is a heavy, sand covered, slow burning piece of music,that watches the KYUSS on the one hand and the BLACK SABBATH-Ozzy era on the other see 'Evil omen",in all its glorious 9 minutes ok actually that is almost the same thing in different wrapping. Echoes of other heroes , mostly from the Detroit era are all around in their sound. THE STOOGES,Ted Nugent are among the artists you could find specks of their sound in QUILLS heavy metal thunder. They have a feeling of old SAXON, GIRLSCHOOL and at the same time they travel to the Mojave desert all in one song like "Dwarf planet". QUILL may never be the next big thg, but they are at the front line along with bands like FU MANCHU to lay heavy, distorted music with gigantic riffs, sing a long choruses and hammered rhythm sections without giving a fuck about what year do we live at. 

 

 

Heavy, melodic and most of all original, this is heavy rock with some stoner fuzz that captures the listener with its groove and volume. SPIRITUAL BEGGARS from the early years and SPICE, OBSESSED, are some other bands i could use as references, although QUILL are equally old and experienced in the metal scene. If you still have doubts ,check them at your local metal club, sweating over guitars who love the volume and the fuzz. Simple, yet not simplistic, they bring the art of simplicity back to metal along with the sheer fan to enjoy heavy sounds with no interference from produce,record labels etc, straight, raw and heavy.

 

7

The Delmonas- "Hello, We love You!The big Beat EPs"

 

 

All female garage rock trio the Delmonas present an EP to shake your booty with. Distorted and at the same melodic, sugar coated 60s garage rock with a female group twist. From the Shangri Las to another all female band of the era, The Delmonas have got the vocals, melodic, with multiple layers at the choruses and they have added some great guitar work. Opener "Comin’ Home Baby’ was written as an instrumental before Bob Dorough added lyrics and Mel Tormé recorded it in 1962.The Delmonas turn it into a dangerous, love song with lots of innuendos regarding the kind of love it refers to. 

 

 

A Doors cover with "Hello , i love you", a surf tune "Peter Gunn Locomotion" a cover of a 1963 single by Freddie Starr and everything is in order at this great rockabilly meets the Female stars of the era album. So here we have the tracks from the trio’s two 1984 EPs together on a swanky 10-inch vinyl LP. Put on your suede sues and start clapping your hands and dance to the timeless music.

7,5

 

 Gov't Mule-"Heavy load blues"

 

Gov't Mule "Heavy load blues" is a great album based on the traditional aspect of blues with the addition of the magnificent guitar work of Warren Haynes, the tight band and they provide cover of well selected blues songs where every member ads its own personal seal. "Heavy load blues" is a traditional album with a modern twist. A jam band that stretches the twelve bars and takes the best out of them, adding small touches of genius by each player separately, making the sum been greater then the added parts. A rewrite of well, or not so well known songs, adding their own distinctive tone and sound.

 The jazzy "Make it rain"(Tom Waits), the traditional jam of “Snatch It Back And Hold It” by Junior Wells, the rocking "Brother Bill" (Animals), the slow burner "I asked her for water, she gave me gasoline" (Howlin Wolf), their own take at Bobby Bland's "Ain t love in the heart of the city", a song well known to everyone by the WHITESNAKE version, that gets a proper GM treat, getting darker and more heartbreaking. The Delta blues infused "Heavy load" with its acoustic overtones. The funky "Feel like breaking up Somebody's house" is a fine example on how GM understand the "traditional " blues. From Tom Waits to Howlin Wolf, Gov't Mule incorporate their own intriguing musical talent, making the old blues, even more heart aching and desperate and far more intirguing musically.

"Heavy blues" is a blues album above and beyond. A blues album performed by a band who knows the blues, as they know ragimte, soul, rock n roll, southern rock, coutnry rock and everything in between. Without stepping out of the traditional territory, they deliver their blues, electric and eclectic. Of course Warren Haynes deep, gravy voice adds more to the songs and this album stretches far beyond a traditional tribute to the roots album. Slow or fast, gravy or light, the songs grow with every listening and let you discover the various colors that each member add to the long jams that consist the blues songs. Long in duration is an album for music lights and not single lovers. Dim the lights, pour some whiskey and let the blues take your pain away.

8

Carl Sentance- “Electric eye”

 Carl Sentance new album is a great example of traditional heavy-metal in the vein of 80s Judas Priest  brings the best of the classical heavy metal along with some more pop-oriented  moments like the “California queen” song . “Electric eye” is an album that has the electricity of metal along with the FM feeling of the great late 80s metal bands and most and above all the great voice of Carl Sentance  a very unique masculine heavy-metal voice that knows how to complement a song.His previous tours at Persian Risk, Krokus , Nazareth as lead singer has given him the confidence to deliver his tunes in a perfect way, melodic yet heavy, with a voice that has the power of a newcomer and the maturity of a metal stages veteran combined in a unique way.

Heavy metal can be tedious, boring, replicable, but this is not the case of Carl and “Electric eye “. On the contrary he gives an album, labour of love and not contractual obligation and the music shines. An album for those who like Judas Priest, Saxon, Persian Risk, Praying Mantis evolving in time but still wear the NWOBHM proud on their sleeves.

7,5

 

Danny Bryant- "The rage to survive"

 

 

British blues are the stalwart of the European blues scene. Among the younger blues men who carry the torch is Danny Bryant. With influences from Robert Cray to Gary Moore he knew the tricks and played the game hard. Deep, soulful vocals over  manic twelve bars guitar soloing with some touches from Stax, to add some spice. BB KIng echoes in his playing but Bryant is an accomplished player who is traditional enough and yet has his own personal color in his playing .

 

 

 

Songs like "Rescue me" would be fan favorites as long as blues come back to town. His immense playing, passionate and mature speaks directly to the listener. He is also diverse enough in the "Falling tears' an acoustic guitar based ballad where he moves closer to the classic rock repertoire. This might be his twelve album, but you don't listen to any sign of tiredness or boredom. On the contrary we see an artist trying to stretch the blues standard sound, producing songs that aim straight to the heart like " Make me pay".He balances great between the classic Chicago blues sound and the more classic rock sound with songs like "Rain stopped play". A blues album, that as most of the products from the quarantine days of Covid 19 is emotionally charged and musically inspired.

 

 

7,5

 

Arielle- "Analog girl in a digital world"

Hard rock in the vein of HEART with a pop twist. Modern, melodic and with some rock n roll touches at "Still a man", pop at "inside outside" and arena rock. Arielle is a brilliant guitar player and also a strong songwriter with a strong ear for melody. The album is a perfect exercise in FM/Arena rock with classic rock overtones. Sensitivity and BEATLES esque spirit is here but goes hand by hand with the melodic spirit of early BOSTON and STYX.

 

A definite plus to her song writing skills is her voice reminiscent of Wilson of HEART fame-just listen at "Peace of mind", that makes the listening very familiar and enjoyable, adding extra strength to her well crafted songs.

7,5

 

NESTOR-"Kids in a ghost town"

Another welcome surprise from Sweden in the AOR genre. A band that takes the best from MEATLOAF, Bonnie Tyler, TOTO, GIANT and along with their charismatic touch in writing great emotional, bombastic, pompous, AOR anthems deliver a wet dream for the genre lovers. 

 

 

 

Their far more traditional and rock oriented than NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA with less Disco elements and influences but with the pop sensibilities that makes power ballads like 'It aint me" running the Zippos out of gas and the arenas asking for more beers. On the other side songs like "On the run" with its outrageously catchy chorus and "Perfect 10" (eyes like Demie Moore) with its glorious references and name checks to all the great actors of the 80s, Demie Moore, Sharon Stone are making the listening of the album a guilty pleasure for all of us who raised like men in a non me#2 world. "Stone cold eyes" is another magnificent example on how a killer chorus can hook up with honey dripped keyboards like TOUCH meet, DRIVE SHE SAID , REO SPEEDWAGON and drive at Malibu in a convertible. Another plus although the song is among the weakest in the album is "Tomorrow" featuring the one and only 80s legend Samantha Fox. "These days" is the perfect example of a song that reminds a decade of AOR and still has its own flavor and character and that is what NESTOR are all about. "We re not ok" is another fine example of an emotionally charged song that brings back the glory days of the mid tempo songs.

 

 

Fun lovin, high spirited ,melodic AOR that just takes your breath away and is among the best debuts of the 21st century in the genre along with NFO. Highly recommended for all the  AOR lovers.

8

MONSTER MAGNET- "A better dystopia"

When we talk about cover albums we won't talk about this one.MONSTER MAGNET and their evil mastermind Dave Wyndorf took a bunch of obsolete and absurd proto metal, garaze, proto punk, psychedelic songs and made them their own. It wasn't difficult as MONSTER MAGNET are a heavy band stacked in the 60s somewhere between Detroit and New York. 

 

For "Better dystopia" they cover songs by HAWKWIND,FUZZTONES, POOBAH, JERUSALEM, DUST,MORGEN, PRETTY THINGS and othersmost of them cult heroes in their own unique way. Heavy, fuzz, distorted guitar driven songs with chanting choruses like a litany to hell. Imagine yourself stuffed with acid tablets ,soaked in cheap whiskey, missing the STOOGES concert and instead get in a small underground basement club where MONSTER MAGNET defies gravity and launches heavy riffs and spacey rhythm section parts to the dark night sky. 

 

 

 

MONSTER MAGNET delivers another really good album where we have all their trademark elements infiltrated through their own musical influences. A tribute to the past or the visit of the past to todays MM, nobody knows, nobody but the wha wah pedals that distorting the universe to let Dave Wyndorf do what he does best, circulate distortion over our mental health and damned me if we don't love it."Born to go" is a blaster, "Epitaph for a head" is a lysergic bad trip and "Solid gold hell" is a strip down iron fist smashing your jaw.

8