GREAT WHITE - Elation (Release: May 18, Frontiers Records)

Great White is back with new album and new singer Terry Ilous (XYZ).

Sounds:

XYZ - S/t (Released 1989, Enigma Records)

XYZ debut album is an awesome collection of rockin' tunes and killer guitar riffs. These guys started playing live shows back in '85 in Hollywood. Four years later they signed for their debut effort with the help of Don Dokken as producer. The album didn't enjoy much success reaching a dissapointing USA # 99. Two singles were released Inside Out and What Keeps Me Loving You but both failed to chart.
The band is still active though Terry Ilous is the current lead vocalist for Great White.
Impressive album by these L.A. guys with the highlights of Ilous' vocals and the amazing guitar work by Marc Richard Diglio.






Sounds:







What Keeps Me Lovin' You (official video)

Inside Out (official video)

WIG WAM - Wall Street (New Single 2012)

Sound:

TYKETTO - Dig In Deep ( Release: EU Apr 20, USA Apr 24, Frontiers Records)

 

After 18 years from their last release with the original line-up the guys are back with Dig In Deep. Though many fans, like me, were eager for an album in the vein of Don't Come Easy this new album is in the line of Strengh In Numbers, acoustic guitars, raw sound, austere production and some smooth modern feel in some guitar riffs and drums. The opening track Faithless shows the updated sound of Tyketto, one of the rawest songs ever recorded by this guys that comes with strong guitars and a heavy and modern riff, even Danny's vocals seems to be recorded without reberv. and some stronger backing vocals are missed. Interesting is the break built on cellos and spanish guitar that comes after the guitar solo.
Love To Love starts acoustically but soon becomes electric. Good guitar work but weak chorus while Vaughn is at his best.
Here’s Hoping It Hurts though it comes with some acoustic guitars and the same raw vibe all over the album, this track will remind you of Don't Come Easy days. Killer chorus and nice solo for a sure shot... this track should have been the first single from this album.
Battle Lines is a beautiful acoustic mid-tempo introducing some Hammond and with some reminiscent of End Of Summer Days. Precious and smooth track, the more you listen the more you like it, the only thing with this cut is the sudden end that will take you by surprise.
The Fight Left In Me is an interesting tune, the most curious with this song is the flamenco style guitar solo even introducing some castanets and clapping hands. Also interesting are the straigh initial guitar solo and a catchy chorus that has Tyketto's trademark.
Evaporate comes with a funny and catchy chorus but the bridge that leads to the break at the middle of the song doesn't fit at all with this tune. Very nice backing vocals at the end of the song.
Monday is an electro-acoustic mid-tempo with beautiful and smooth chorus.
The rest of the album keeps the same raw vibe with the exception of This Is How We Say Goodbye an acoustic ballad introducing some violin and with a country-western vibe.

In summary, though there are some very good tracks the whole album is a bit dissapointing and not what most of fans were waiting for. Danny Vaughn keeps being and impressive vocalist and Brooke St. James guitar work is ok but this raw sound and some weak songwriting make this album doesn't reach expectations.

Best tracks in order of preference:

Here’s Hoping It Hurts
Battle Lines
Faithless
Evaporate 

Sounds:

EUROPE - Bag Of Bones (Release April, Gain (Sca) earMUSIC/Edel (EU) Victor(Jap))

Since their reunion in 2003 Europe decided it was time to change direction into a much harder and modern sound and that's reflected in their four albums released since that time. Bags Of Bones combines melody with strong and heavy riffs and Hammond keys all produced by Kevin Shirley but songs offer nothing new, no catchy chorus, no funny tunes, no impressive solos or riffs... no nothing. The sound of this album is some kind of Led Zepp meets Black Sabbath meets Deep Purple all under the name Europe and covered with a modern vibe... strange mix.
Riches To Rags is built on heavy guitars and some Hammond. Is a raw and dark tune.
Not Supposed To Sing The Blues is the first single from this album. The song comes with a heavy rhythm and some arabian touches. Some guitar distortion reminds of Soundgarden while the track is heavy on Hammond.
Firebox is an alternative cut. You'll find reminiscent from India that leads to a nice guitar solo. Drums could be taken by any album of Alice In Chains.
Bag Of Bones starts with some acoustic guitar and Hammond but soon becomes faster and electric. This cut is one of the highlights of this album.
Requiem is an instrumental piece of only 29 seconds while My Woman My Friend once again comes with a heavy riff but this time guitar solo is quite good.
Drink and a Smile is so Zeppelian built on acoustic guitars and ending with some clapping hands while Doghouse is raw with an excellent work by John Norum. Tha last part of the album is more of the same with the exception of Bring It All Home, a ballad introducing some piano but built on modern drum rhythm. Maybe the best song in this album and a sure single.

In summary, an album that comes late. This sound is more from the 90's and early 00's and nowadays the public is turning into a more melodic style so fans of the 80's Europe will hate this album while new fans won't find anything interesting here so the album will enjoy some success when release, specially in northern countries, but soon will fade from charts everywhere.

Sounds:








Not Supposed To Sing The Blues (official video)

HARDLINE - Danger Zone (Release: EU May 18, USA May 22, Frontiers Records)

Hardline is back with Danger Zone to conmemorate the 20th anniversary of their debut album and masterpiece Double Eclipse. The vibe of this album ties to keep the line of their debut but production is weak with sound effects in excess and some epic keys that sounds quite european probably 'cause none of the members, except singer Johnny Gioeli, remains in the band. The new line-up is based on european musicians what is reflected in the sound of this album.
When you think of Hardline the first thing to come to your mind is their debut album but it's fair to tell that though this is a good album we shouldn't compare it to Double Eclipse and some of the reasons are guitar work, a little weak specially solos, and songwriting.
The album opens with Fever Dreams, after an intro built on keys the song explode into a firework of music leaded by some double guitars sound and a nice riff that leads to a break with only a piano and Gioeli's vocals. With catchy chorus this cut have so many ups and down... the best thing are Gioeli's vocals and backing vocals but the worst is guitar and keys work. 10.000 Reasons is one of the highlights of this album, for the second time the song start with an intro built on keys but soon grows in intensity leading us to a beautiful bridge and catchy chorus. Pay special attention to backing vocals in this song... great, but once again guitar solo and guitar sound is weak.
Third cut, Danger Zone, starts as an explosion of music but in a few seconds you'll realize mixing should be better. Drums turns too monotone and seems to be recorded in a track that goes separete way from the rest of the music, i mean, drums should be melted with the rest of the instruments. Once again, guitar solo and guitar distortion is weak while some keys could be taken from a song by Yngwie Malmsteen.
What I Like is one of the jewels of the crown. It's a more melodic track and almost everything works. The song introduce some backing Hammond and an easy but nice guitar riff. Nice chorus but once again weak guitar solo.
Stronger Than Me is an interesting track but far away from the line of this album. This mid-tempo once again starts with an intro built on keys but soon introduce some acoustic guitars. Drums have a modern vibe and help the tune to grow in intensity. Good cut.
Never Too Late is a nice track but this time chorus is weak, too long and empty while Stay keeps the vibe of the previous track. Break Away shows the harder side of the new Hardline, the song has a modern vibe but without losing its melodic side... another interesting cut.
Look At You Now is mellow and tender but it's not a ballad. Built on acoustic guitars that reminds of I'll Be There,this one is my favorite from this album, somehow i believe this cut could be part of any soundtrack... beautiful tune.
Show Me Your Love is a shot of energy and has a killer chorus, the more you listen the more you like... this cut rocks hard!!!

In summary, a good album with some deficiencies in production, mixing and sound maybe due to low budget. It's not easy to record an album with the best technology if you don't have a major label by your side.
The best, Johnny Gioeli's vocals, this guy keeps rocking like a mad dog.
The worst, guitar work and guitar distortion.

Best tracks in order of preference:

Look At You Now

Show Me Your Love

What I Like

Stronger Than Me

Sounds:










Fever Dreams (official video)

GLASS TIGER - Diamond Sun (Released: 1988, EMI)

Strange is the musical story of Canadians Glass Tiger. These guys from Ontario started as New Wave band, their second album turn their sound into AOR/Rock while their third and last album could be described as Hard Rock.
Today we talk about their second album entitled Diamond Sun. This album is a masterpiece that should be in the top ten of any AOR fan.
It's known that second albums are always the most difficult specially if they come from a huge success with the first one. That's what happened to Glass Tiger, their debut The Thin Red Line had massive success all over the world reaching with Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone Billboard Hot 100 # 2, CAN # 1 and UK # 29 while another two singles also reached Billboard Hot 100. Despite this huge success the band decided to change direction into a more guitar driven sound, the result was an awesome album. First single released was I'm Still Searching a cut built on acustic guitars and full of energy that reached Billboard Hot 100 # 31 and CAN # 2. The following was the title track Diamond Sun, a quite different and smooth track based on keys that reached CAN #4. Two more singles were released My Song Feat. The Chieftains and probably the weakest cut from this album that only reached CAN # 19 and (Watching) Worlds Crumble CAN # 27.
A video was filmed for maybe the best song in this album Far Away From Here (this song is a gem about broken love) though it was never released as single, while Suffer in Silence is a monster ballad.
Though Diamond Sun (USA # 82) didn't reach the peak of succes of their previous effort, musically is much more interesting becoming a must have album.

Far Away From Here (official video)

I'm Still Searchin' (official video)

Diamond Sun (official video)