So far
Forty Deuce has been a blank page - hopefully their debut album is going to change that fact!
Forty Deuce was formed in 2003 and led by
Richie Kotzen who plays both guitar and sings. The other members are all unknown musicians, but they function as a tight rhythm section.
The group's music bridges modern sounding rock and old school hard rock, but main focus is always on powerful melodies. The sound of
Forty Deuce is close to Richie's latest album "Get Up" - however, this band is more edgy and in-your-face with modern sounding melodies. .
Short track by track review;
The album opens with a rustic intro that kicks directly into the powerful opener
Oh my God (I Fucked Up Again). The groovy rocker is among the best songs since the massive crunchy groove makes it impossible to stand still. The song illustrates Richie's heavy and more direct approach, which he started on "Get Up" -
Forty Deuce takes this to the next level.
I Still is modern sounding with a crunchy drive and excellent chorus.
Start It Up is a fast rocker with a great verse, but the chorus gets a bit too primitive and the song is among my least favorite tracks on "Nothing to Lose".
Complicated is a moody mid-tempo rocker - the song has a nice balance of groovy rhythm guitar and lead guitar. Overall the album tones down Richie's status as guitar hero since the album focus on massive groves and melodies in favor of guitar solos. In that way the album sounds a lot more like a band effort.
Say is fiery rocker, which has the same effect as throwing gasoline on a bonfire. The song takes on more power as it keeps progressing. Kotzen voice is strong and the center of
Forty Deuce's high energy blistering power rock.
Heaven is a great power ballad. The guitar solo exemplifies the fact that this isn't a guitar shred album. From Kotzen's solo album plus his time in
Poison and
Mr. Big we know he can deliver the goods - however, the solo is short, precise and very melodic with moody undertones. Not all songs on the album have a guitar solo.
Forty Deuce focus on the songs and melodies performed with energy and power.
Stand Up slows down for the verse but the chorus is among the best.
The crunchy sound of
Forty Deuce is displayed on
Next To Me, where the chords are strummed with a fierce appetite. Taka and Kotzen's guitar partnering is excellent on this one.
Standing In The Rain is another power ballad with moody undertones.
The album gets a little out of breath on the last two songs
Wanted and the title track, but still they are the only songs labeled "standard" along with
Start it up, which just underlines this album's high standard. The title track ends with a piece that is identical with the opening intro. Pretty cool idea, which makes the album come full circle.
Overall "Nothing to Lose" is packed with spectacular songs and
Richie Kotzen's voice sounds strong and soulful.
Forty Deuce isn't a totally
Richie Kotzen show off since Kotzen gets backed up by Japan native Taka on the six string. The tight rhythm section of Ari and Thr3e (silly names) provides Kotzen with a solid foundation to let Richie focus on his vocals. The music is melodic, heavy and energetic with edge.
Forty Deuce has their own powerful sound and "Nothing to Lose" sound very fresh and energetic. The album has lots of highlight, but especially
Oh My God (I Fucked Up Again), I Still, Complicated, Say and
Stand Up shine through.
Written by
Michael Wednesday, August 10, 2005
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