After the colossal flop that was Gary John Barden's first solo cd, the dodgy remake album of dusty MSG classics titled "Past and Present", this follow up was met with seriously low expectations. Fortunately for those that have enjoyed the vocal stylings of Mr. Barden or gravitate towards blues tinged hard rock flavored by the fuel of the 80s, you are in for a tremendous treat. Disc number two,
"The Agony & the Xtasy" is a white hot tribute to the glory days of spankin good hard rock music and everyone steps up to the podium proudly to strut their stuff.
The songs sparkle and shine, co-written by the ever talented Michael Voss and a slew of axeslinging friends show up to the party, lending an electric six string attack when needed. With the likes of Steve Morris,
Michael Schenker and even the increasingly prolific Tommy Denander putting forth their best string bending efforts, you know something's up. And that something has to be very good. In fact, all musicians do a great job, Voss on guitars and bass and Bertram Engel handling the drumsticks, and all songs fall into place without a hitch. Michael Voss even did the production, which ensures for a well balanced sound that is never too beefed or over the top.
And indeed it is. Gary is in fine form here, sounding even better than on the last
Silver release, "Gold". In fact, this one stacks up to the original
Silver disc, back when he was refreshed and energized instead of being on the slightly bored side. It also helps that the songs were tailor made to build around his voice, giving it a hefty boost and a chance to ring out amongst the music as another instrument instead of an intruding nuisance. He sounds mighty fine when the material just leaps out to embrace his smoky edged vocal style.
There are too many highlights here to even sort through them all. Just rest assured that if you liked anything from the Barden years MSG period, then you will find an assortment of high quality pieces to whet your appetite and tickle your fancy. Some favorites include the firecracker opener
"Hot Daze" that sweats with an upfront hard rocking heat, getting the album off with sizzler of a start. There is just the sweetest hint of blues tucked underneath the rough and tumble package. Slap on a no frills chorus and some chunky rhythm guitar and you have a nice little number that tumbles right on through.
"Can't Stop Dreaming" follows a midtempo melodic path and a summery laid back chorus that goes great with some wine coolers and relaxed setting. It drifts on by with its soulful heart but does not let up on the rock edginess that is shadowed beneath. Another great track all around.
"Stop (What 'Cha Doing to Me)" is another rockin tune with a crispy cool overtone that keeps things in check. Gary sounds absolutely wonderful and his voice is just a perfect match for the music.
"Let Me Down" is a rollicking bar room brawler featuring the guitars of
Michael Schenker, who sounds rather fantastic here. The hammond organ whirling away in the background is a nice stompin touch. You can almost visualize boozed spilled and pooling on the floor and the bowls of pretzels tipping over as they slam into the song feverishly. Hang overs in the morning for all.
"Wounded" bears the soul and rips out the heart with a dipping, diving tempo that builds up to rocking mode and then comes crashing down like a bird who has been stripped of his flying feathers in mid flap. Spiraling down to a depressed state and then gaining painful confidence for another helpless cry at song's peak, this one's ups and downs are quite the entertainment piece and leave room for contemplative debate. Thoughtful and introspective stuff.
"In & Out of Love" sees Gary taking the lower register for quieter moments before stretching back into his usual singing range. Lyrically it is also well crafted, milking the shadowy moment in its rhythmic atmosphere. A curious quiet sentiment lingers here like the chemical aromatic sting of perfume whispering in the air.
"Arise" has a life of its own, being this big, bold, commercial rocker that snaps with this huge chorus. Steve Morris guests on guitar and does a bang up job, sticking riffs all over the place and blessing the song with his solos. This will be the absolute highlight for most, since it is such a tremendous track that comes bursting out all over the place.
"Change of Wind" is yet another superb piece that doesn't have to go balls to the wall to make a statement. Softer, carefully done but not so sleepy that it could be a ballad, it walks the line of the lower end of midtempo with a strong inner confidence. Of note is its rather prevalent
Deep Purple influence, there is no mistaking where this track was born from. The ashes of past Purp mixed with a strong tonic of early 80s MSG.
The closer,
"Need Some Love", is absolutely divine. 100% pure bluesy ballad, no additives or artificial flavors to murk up its authenticity. So casual and beautiful, Gary is in top form and just purrs like a great cat while Tommy Denander's guitars are strumming by with heartfelt conviction that sucks your breath right out of your lungs. Could be likened to early 90s Great White, or even more recently, the last Bowles & Morley album.
The disc is a little light weight on the running time, clocking in around the 44 minute mark, but with ten tracks of this high quality, it is for the better that they kept it shorter and sweeter rather than try to jam filler in between. As it is, there is not a lot here that doesn't have Grade A quality stamped all over it. Only
"No More Reasons" seems a little on the boring, typical rock track side, but the rest all have little touches that make them special all on their own. A great surprise from Barden, and a disc that obviously alot of thought and love went into.
As much as the more experimental
Silver has garnered attention over the years, it is still great to hear Gary in a setting such as this. Highly recommended for the Purple, Thunder, MSG, and
Rainbow set. This one is damn good and seems made fresh just for you. The British blues rock lives on for this is certainly more
"Xtasy" than it is
"Agony".
Written by
Alanna Thursday, June 15, 2006
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