Face Face are back after an eleven years absence. (I'm discounting the band's alter ego, Purple Cross and the 2000 release, 'Eyes Of The Mirror'). Let me assure you, it was worth the wait.
This is an intelligent, thoughtful album with an apparently endless array of potent hooks and memorable tunes, all of which hit every spot and tick every box.
Guitarist and producer George Miller continues to show an almost peerless songwriting skill. On
'Bridge To Nowhere' his lyrics are journeys through doubts and fears, human frailties and moral dilemmas. Examining each one, he finds redeeming features and reasons to believe. Thanks to sparkling arrangements and some exquisite, nuanced musicianship - and Mervyn Spence's animated vocals - the darker moments never become downbeat. Instead they make the positive sentiments of songs like
'Light Of New York' and
'True Love' seem veritable shafts of light, casting out the shadows.
Musically, the band have toughened up their sound, while remaining rooted in AOR. Miller's sharp edged guitar gives '
Bridge To Nowhere' a steelier backbone than had
'Childhood Dreams' (1995), but keyboards retain a significant role. In fact the instrumental title track consists almost entirely of wistful, atmospheric keyboard passages before morphing into the wonderful
'Close Your Eyes', owner of an incandescent tune and a towering hook.
In the final analysis, to coin a cliché, it's all about the songs. Cleverly, bravely, Face face have scattered the great songs among those that are merely very good. On any other album
'White Rose' or '
End Of Time' would find itself jostling for position as the opening track. At tracks eight and nine respectively, they provide a strength in depth seldom found among today's generally front loaded melodic rock albums. Both are mean, moody and magnificent, with melodic, marshmallow centres, radiating pulse quickening hooks.
Ten tracks totalling thirty eight minutes seems miserly. But every one's a winner and there's not the faintest whiff of filler. I'll take that over inflated, indulgent marathons every time.
Recommended!
Written by
Brian Tuesday, April 25, 2006
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