Album Review - Icon - Night Of Crime

"Night of the Crime" was the one - and only time for Icon in the spotlight, in my eyes. They were a midwest band that received some minor attention for their self titled first release, and a little buzz for "Night of the Crime", which was their follow up. The departure of their vocalist, Stephen Clifford shook the band up, and nothing they did after quite captured the magic of this album. Upon first listen, its easy to understand why, their singer was blessed with quite a set of pipes, the mid range masculine tones like David Glenn Eisley, the power and charisma of a young Goran Edman, and at times a delightful nod to Blackie Lawless in the growling sneer that rears its head during some of the high energy rockers. The talented Dan Wexler and John Aquilino made up a solid dual axe attack, while Pat Dixon and Tracy Wallach formed the rhythm section. However as they proved on their failed attempt at a comeback for 1989's "Right Between the Eyes", that the band itself wasn't so perfect without the man with the golden pipes.

"NotC" was popped out only a short year after the debut, normally one would think that anything released with such a quick turnaround would be a huge step down in quality, and be quite rushed, but with Icon, it's actually the opposite. It's amazing that a collection of songs of this calibre could go from the creation process to the finished product in such a miniscule period of time. The band has taken a more pop-rock feel to the album, that lightens up the songs considerably, but each tune has been treated to a fine polish, to smooth out the rough edges that fuelled the youthful drive of the self titled. A little more reserved, but with cleaner, catchier songs, a smug commercial edge and a better production. This has all resulted in something that - dare I use the word - is a "masterpiece". And for fans of this seemingly extinct subgenre, it is just that. The album plays nearly seamlessly, like a ten track rock n roll dream, with the first six tracks being pure musical ecstasy. Gorgeous, touching, emotionally powerful, driving, hook-filled material. This album plays like a best-of release, with maybe one or two missteps along the way. But the longevity and charisma of those silk melodic tunes and skin pounding hard rockers alike keep the disc not far from the melodic lovers' minds. That's right, the band's main formula is something of a mishmash of Giuffria and Foreigner, but tossed into the fray are a handful of tunes that have much more in common with the heavier hitters of the time, like early W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, and Quiet Riot, which was the direction they had begun heading in on the first release.

With "Naked Eyes" you are treated to a melodic goodness that made this album such a highly regarded and beloved classic today. There are chunky guitar riffs that batter against a wall of sound. Gorgeous, richly decadent vocals grab the listener from the very beginning and keep them enthralled in the midst of rock n roll ecstasy til the song fades to its silence. The chorus is sugary sweet, a sing-along dream that is tugged at its heart by willowy guitar solos. These swell with electric beauty and leaves an undeniable mark on the song's finishing closure.

"Missing" continues in the vein as the heavenly first track, picking right up where it left off. A treat of pomp and beauty in another rounded showcase that puts forth a punchy chorus and swirling synth. The murder mystery is in full fledge here, a love that has been murdered much to the tragedy of this rippling pouncy song. A glimpse is given at the inspiration for the album in the lyric "Where were you, on the night of the crime?" as part of the interrogation process.

"Danger Calling" is not nearly as fluffy as the first two melodious tracks, but is definitely still in the comfortable realm of catchy AOR. A wall of synth is built up around the plush vocal melodies as it bounds through with an addictive rhythm and powerhouse chorus.

"(Take Another) Shot At My Heart" ups the ante into an explosive rock gem that is sharpened and hardened over the previous threesome. The expressive vocal performance by Clifford, fires away with perfect precision, hitting every mark as a bullseye. A slight crunch is sprinkled on the guitar riffs and an innovative use of acoustic guitar helps build excitement and intrigue during the smooth bridge. This is in preparation for the rip roarin' axeslinging. Short, sweet, and perfect to the point. The afterthought aftershock of "go ahead and blow it away" backup lyric that belts the title is a showstopper that has drive and emphasis. Melodic AOR rock doesn't get much better than this.

"Out For Blood" sees a slow takeoff that is heaped with guitar heroics and atmospheric keys providing a background for the sizzling six string bending. This scorches for over two minutes before a mean guitar riff kicks in, the signal for the show to truly begin. Answering its call are headbanging drums and a full force onslaught of vocals. "Blood" harkens back to the Icon debut and has more in common with Judas Priest than Guiffria. Something that could not be said about the songs that came before it. A very different turn of events for the band.

"Raise the Hammer" has suitable rising and falling sounds that ring metallic. A solid tune that explores a situation where one person believes their significant other is cheating on them, but is confronting them with the unwavering cry of justice shall be done. Come hell or high water.

"Frozen Tears" is the true blue ballad of the album. Guitars dip and dive, smoothing out in synch with darting synth that together weaves a tapestry for a gripping emotional vocal that embeds the frosty feel of the song even further into the damaged heart. A heart gone cold, and tears leaving a trail of ice to thaw out for the chorus.

"The Whites of Their Eyes" changes the scene once again, adding a dash of grit in the voice that brings up those Lawless comparisons. This is most noticed in a throat ripping howl that comes near close. A pumping rocker complete with scorching guitars and the feel of Judas Priest's commercialized days.

"Hungry For Love" begins as a slow dramatic opening and changes clothes into a hip swinging rocker, dropping the over drama and dipping into W.A.S.P.-ish mode. Another track that takes a cue from the Icon's first disc, but still manages to drip the song in lush synth while retaining that double barrel all-guns-firing edge that keeps it firmly locked into rock position.

"Rock My Radio" is probably the only song that could truly be singled out as a filler piece. It mixes Autograph and Quiet Riot, even a bit of Helix and cranks out as an arena rocker that is as over styled as 80s poofy hair sprayed hair dos. Typical slowed down midsection has the chorus of background vocals over powering and demanding "I wanna rock, rock my radio", emphasis laid on the "I". These "odes to the genre" were popular at the time, and it does date the album as one of the few blemishes on the "Night of the Crime" record.

It's plain to see that this album is not for everyone. Commercial driven tunes with saccharine choruses, and gang vocal harmonies are not everyone's cup of tea, but when done right, it certainly is mine, and from the desert plains of Arizona, Icon manufactured such a release. Youthful driving energy and songs with pomp and purpose, this variety of tunes ranges from stadium pounding hard rock to gorgeous melodies backed by poppy synth. While "Night of the Crime" may not exactly be genius in the lyrical department, it is extremely difficult to find fault in their tight song structures, which are given plenty of room to breathe and flow and hard driven by passionate performances, especially where vocals are concerned. If you are searching for a masterpiece of softer melodic rock, then look no further than the catchy "Night of the Crime". This album proves that they simply do make them like they used to. If you believe it might be primitive due to its time period then think again, for not many releases since...even with better equipment and album production...has managed to overthrow this one from its firmly held melodic throne. Simply magical.

Written by Alanna
Sunday, February 10, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 8.5/10

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