BOSTON - LOVE, LIFE & HOPE (Release: Dec. 3 - Frontiers Records)

Live, Love & Hope is the first Boston effort since the release of the disappointing Corporate America and after 11 years of waiting the disappointment is even bigger. First of all this album comes with 4 re-recorded songs from Corporate America and the most hilarious is that Scholz had a vision and decided to change the name of I Had A Good Time into Te Quiero Mia for the Best Buy release. This seems to be a miserable attempt to feature vocals of Brad Delp in this album... 3 of these songs are sang by Delp apart from a new one titled Sail Away.
With no doubt Delp is one of the best Rock singers ever. I grew up with his voice and when i knew of his death it was kind of shock. I would like to listen to his vocals in a million of new songs but sadly he's gone so i think the best way to respect his memory and legacy is letting him rest in peace instead of trying to do some business at the expense of his voice.
This is the first Boston album featuring Tommy DeCarlo on vocals, i listened to him live in New York in his first tour with Boston and the guy is a good singer but he doesn't show his best in Live, Love & Hope. Musically this album has a similar problem with Corporate America, that cold and empty sounding drum, though they aren't, it seems like all drums are computerized, Scholz way of playing is repetitive and humdrum, vocals by DeCarlo, Dahme and Victor are weak and songwriting is deadful.
Actually, I don't know if this is a review or whatever but the real deal is that it's not worth talking a single more word about this album... one of the best Rock bands ever has become something ridiculous and Live, Love & Hope is truly a joke, this is going to be Boston biggest commercial failure ever... maybe this is the right moment to withdraw for Tom Scholz and Boston.

Soundbites






Heaven On Earth

STRYPER - NO MORE HELL TO PAY (Nov 5 - Frontiers Records)

I'm not a big fan of Stryper neither Michael Sweet nor Christian Metal so why the hell am i talking about No More Hell To Pay?... because is a good Rock album!!
Though keyboards has almost disappeared Stryper has gone back to their 80's sound. Sweet said this album should be a continuation to To Hell With The Devil and indeed it is. The album is full of energy from the beginning to the end, sound and production are almost perfect and songwriting has Stryper's trademark. Everything works, even the cover of the mega hit by The Doobie Brothers, Jesus Is Just Alright originally recorded by The Art Reynold's Singers and also covered by The Byrds, The Ventures, DC Talk...
Another highlight is the only power ballad titled The One. Though it comes with a modern vibe specially because of the guitar distortion, chorus can only be described as epic. This song will get you from the first listening.
Well, that's enough, take a listen to some samples and enjoy...

Soundbites






Sympathy (Official video)




No More Hell To Pay (Official video)

 

ALTER BRIDGE - Fortress (Roadrunner Records, EMI USA)

Since middle 90's when Rock lost its identity many bands have been doing experiments with their sound. It's funny how classic bands try to sound modern while bands born in the late 90's and 00's are seperating ways with grunge and alternative embracing a more classic Heavy Metal style. One of the few bands born from the ashes of grunge that i enjoy is Alter Bridge and it's amazing to notice that they have walk that road to become a Heavy Metal band as you'll find in their new album. Some modern elements are still alive in this album but Fortress is a Heavy Metal album with Myles Kennedy at his best and with an astonishing drum work by the hand of Scott Philips.

Addicted To Pain (first single released) and Calm The Fire will blow your ears so turn up the volume and enjoy!!

The album will be released Sep 25 in Japan, Sep 27 Australia, Sep 30 UK, Oct 8 USA... i don't know WTF are trying to do big labels CEO's, this is not the first time that a label gives a million dates for the release of a Rock album, are they trying to make us lose interest in Rock music?... Fuck them!!

Soundbites...






Addicted To Pain (Official video)

STARSHIP - Loveless Fastination (Out Now, Loud & Proud Records)

What a big surprise, one of the biggest AOR bands ever is back. It's been 24 years since the release of the masterpiece Love Among The Cannibals, in this time music industry has changed so much and that's reflected in the music of Starship. Though this album is pretty melodic, Starship leaves aside some keys to dive into a more guitar oriented sound. New tendencies are even more evident in drums and songwriting. Finally we must talk about Mikey Thomas... though the guy can't reach the same tones that 24 years ago and his voice is much more raspy that in those days, he is yet a privileged singer.

Is interesting to notice that the only remaining member from the acclaimed line-up is Mickey Thomas while the album has been produced by Jeff Pilson.

If you are a diehard fan of Starship, like me, this album is million miles away from all their previous efforts. You won't find a new Sara, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now or Not Enough but believe me, this is a very good album so take a listen to some soundbites... special attention to Nothing Can't Keep Me From You writen by Diane Warren and originally recorded by Paul Stanley for Detroit Rock City O.S.T.








Is Not The Same As Love (First single)

HOUSTON - II (Released: Out Now - Livewire/Cargo)

Despite critics for their first album were real good i keep thinking that Houston I sounds more like a demo than like an official release. Houston II departs a more professional sound though still far from the giant bands and big labels. Music is built on keys that sometimes reminds of early Asia and songwriting is much mature than in their first effort.

Houston II is a very easy to listen album but the problem with all these Swedish and Scandinavian bands is that they all sound too similar and sometimes are over produced, in summary, not a bad album but it brings nothing new to the musical scene.

The album is produced by keyboardist Ricky Delin and some guitar parts are by Tommy Denander.

Take a listen to some soundbites...

I'm Coming Home (Official video)

SKID ROW - S/t (1988) - Slave To The Grind (1991) - B-Side Ourselves (1992)

Skid Row should be at the top10 of the best Hard Rock bands ever in all rankings around the world... Forget about those politically correct rankings by Rolling Stone and all that shit.

These New Jersey guys began playing in small clubs in '87 and soon they signed with Alantic Records by the hand of Doc McGhee (Bon Jovi manager). The album was produced by none other than Michael Wagener.

After touring opening for Bon Jovi in their New Jersey tour, Skid Row debut album was release enjoying massive success. Their S/t soon climbed to # 6 in the US selling more than 5 millions copies. 4 Singles were release... Youth Gone Wild US # 99, 18 And Life US # 4, I Remember You US # 6 and Piece Of Me.

1991 Saw the release of their second album. Slave To The Grind debuted at # 1 in the US and sold 2 millions copies. The sound of this second effort was much heavier so maybe that was the reason why none of the singles reached the Top 40. Only Wated Time reached Hot 100 # 88. Other singles were Monkey Business, Slave To The Grind and In A Darkened Room.

In support to Slave To The Grind the band toured opening for Guns 'N' Roses and later alone as main act.

Soon after was release B-Sides Ourselves wich reached US # 58. The E.P. is a collection of covers of songs by bands like Kiss, Rush or Judas Priest among others.

After that the band released Subhuman Race in 1995, an album influenced by Grunge and Alternative Rock and a commercial failure. The band toured opening for Van Halen in the US and when they were about to tour with Kiss, due to a discussion about that, Sebastian Bach was fired from the band... and that was all.

In 1999 the band was reformed with new lead singer Johnny Solinger releasing a couple of poor albums, Thickerskin and Revolutions Per Minute.

As couriosity you should know that the band had to pay for the rights of the name to Gary Moore because his first band was called Skid Row.

Here it is a compilation of some of the videos released from their first two albums and the E.P. ... Turn up the volume an enjoy it!!


Youth Gone Wild


18 And Life


I Remember You


Piece Of Me


Monkey Business


Wasted Time


 In A Darkened Room


Quicksand Jesus


Psycho Love


Little Wing

KING KOBRA - II (Release: Soon, Frontiers Records)

Two years after the release of their S/t album King Kobra is back with an album full of attitude, energy and Rock & Roll but there's nothing new in this album and sound could be a little better... I know the 80's won't be back but it's inevitable to compare any new release of this genre with the golden age of Hard Rock.
It's a good album to enjoy at home while drinking some beers or while you are driving fast but nothing more, this one won't become a classic. Anyway, always is welcome an album with attitude... take a listen and judge for yourself.

SoundBites:






Have A Good Time (Official video)