Album Review - Shortino/Northrup - Afterlife

Paul Shortino is one vocalist I'm always forgetting about. Sure, I enjoyed his work with Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot in the 80s but it's the kind of material that tends to be left forgotten after awhile, well besides Rough Cutt's video for "Piece of My Heart" which is so cheesy that it is simply unforgettable. But everytime I become reacquainted with his voice, it has always been a positive experience and this second Shortino/Northrup project is no exception to the rule. There has been a ten year plus gap between a collaborative effort by this two man team, the first was 1993's "Back on Track", a lost classic that blended top shelf American hard rock with a bluesy twist. It became a sought after collector's item years later as fans of the genre finally became aware of its existence and quality. Their second, ready for showtime in 2004, "Afterlife", is a different affair altogether. Mellower, smoother and rolling with some refreshingly moody melodic tunes that is a cool tonic for a stressful day. Its breezy simplicity is a plus, as well as the darkened lyrics that seem ripped right from the personal life of the pen of guitarist, Jeff Northrup, himself. With its polished surface shine, and Shortino's typical raspy vocal delivery, it's a pleasure to settle down with and just seep in the feelings melting within, whether it's a cushy ballad, a rollicking rocker or a mid-tempo angst fest.

Don't let the disc's standard issue rocking opener, "Here I Am" turn you away. Sure it is a decent enough track that gets a lot of the heavier tendencies out of the way early on, its nothing special. First taking a look at the trio of ballads, all of varying quality, beginning with the hook overflowing title track "Afterlife" that plays upon the foundations of moody and melodic in a lovely way seals the deal with a magnificent chorus that is not only catchy but gripping at the same time. "Like A Stone" is softer and even more ballad-esque, using a piano to its fullest capabilities as Paul wails away with a soulful quality to that slight rasp. Its so stripped and plunky sounding that you could probably trick a country and western fan into believing that it's the next up and coming singing cowboy or something for the first minute or so, that is until the chorus, which injects more passion than anything found in the C&W genre. "Prisoner" the album's closer is mostly acoustic with a positively gigantic chorus that boosts the song right when it's most desperately needed.

Some of the rockers are of note as well. The moodier ones that stay in the midtempo range seem to play out best for the guys, with a rich abundance of melody and a darker vibe. "Feel Again" is a classic melodic rock track, great vocals by Shortino and the first of many great choruses that beg for the song to be replayed just one more time. Featuring an appearance by Tommy Denander, the guitar dips and dives in the background, flying off the restraints for a solo that jerks free and sails for the unknown beyond the blue skies.

For "Slave to the Feeling" they selected a very biting guitar opening that mellows out with acoustic chinging and a soaring chorus. The striking electric pops up again for more rough string bending, taking the breath away with each unexpected appearance. Outstanding in structure, the chorus is so high and mighty that it sounds ripped from one of the 80s most bombastic power ballads, while the gritty electric guitar rips and scratches away at the surface in other portions of the track. Shortino's vocals are in fine form, the rasp controlled so he sounds fantastic and dripping with feeling. One of the best cuts from the disc.

"Gypsy Soul" is just haunting with their selection of warped sound effects and a slithering background that ramps things up for yet another explosive chorus that combusts with melody. This one is also of note for having Johnny Edwards on board, which he will pop up a few times throughout the disc. The third time shall remain a mystery, see if you can figure it out. "As I Fall" reminds me of the darkened depressing take on heavy rock from the Coverdale/Page project a decade back but with a trippier chorus that is out of this world, from another planet entirely. Northrup's guitars are also hailing from some other solar system because it's completely off the chart in comparison with the rest of the disc. This will throw people a real loop because it's so very different, but extremely well done nonetheless.

The last few songs to be mentioned are wild cards that don't gel with the album as well but are still able to stand on their own. "Crazy Mind" has vocalist Johnny Edwards hopping aboard for a duet in this Led Zeppelin rip. I would say styled, but come on, they are just totally ripping the classic rock band off, vocals, guitars, everything. But damn it's a good rock n roller, and I could easily see Page and Plant tackling this, so much so that it wouldn't be a surprise to find out in the future it was a never recorded and discarded tune from them.

"Crossfire" is much heavier in the bottom end and the grit being ground in guitar-wise, and reaches for the Zep vibes for a second time, but with some dirtier bluesy stuff being chucked around the song structure in vocals and song delivery. Kind of a bastard child between Ratt, Great White, Kingdom Come and err yeah, Led Zeppelin. "Mark My Words" is a zippy instrumental that amazingly didn't lose my interest after ten seconds. Northrup's tone here is reminiscent of Reb Beach from his "Black Magic" guitar wizardry fest back in 1991. There's a giant chunk of keyboard thrown into the mix, but like most instrumental tunes it seems to wear out its welcome about halfway through.

What more can be said? The more one listens to this album the more it seems to grown on them. At first, some of the tracks were off putting and jarring considering their inspirational origins when stacked against the rest, but in the end, they become breaths of fresh air and worth a listen, but with the darker moodier tracks being the ones that stand out in the end. And just how many times has this review used the word "chorus"? But with good reason because there's such an abundance of exceptional ones that it seems like each is worth mentioning for its own individual merits. The musicians' performances fit the songs like a glove, with Paul Shortino turning in some truly exceptional vocal deliveries and Jeff Northrup's guitar morphing from one style to another effortlessly. Now let's just hope it doesn't take another decade for them to put together a third CD, although after a decade, those expecting something noteworthy are surely not to be disappointed.

Written by Alanna
Thursday, June 10, 2004
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Ratings

Alanna: 7.5/10

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