Album Review - Whitesnake - Good to Be Bad

Ten years and nothing recorded by Whitesnake. All of this is to change with 2008's studio recording, "Good to be Bad", an album that celebrates the naughty nice music of Whitesnake's past and a flash of Coverdale/Page, just to balance things in a more modern directional twist. Fans that have been begging and pleading for a new Whitesnake cd to followup the Vandenberg/Coverdale (finally!) collaboration of "Restless Heart" should rejoice at this new version of Whitesnake. Of course, none of the original members are intact, save for David Coverdale, but the new guitarists are well known and have recieved positive acclaim for the past few years on tour.
Reb Beach (from Winger) lays down the subtleties from his fusion frenzy background while the monster chops are set by Bad Moon Rising/Lion guitarist Doug Aldrich, who co-wrote "Good" with Coverdale. And David himself? He sounds every bit the rock god from decades gone. Flashes of raw sexuality, a sensuous smooth rumble, he's still a lady slayer even if those high notes are a bit on the elusive side. The production is slick, the songs are a mix of "1987", "Slip of the Tongue" and "Coverdale/Page" - and everything just simply rocks. That's the way it should be.

And it is. "Best Years" pounds the pavement and whips things into action as the lead in track. A memorable bridge gives way to a delightful chorus and the rhythm section is thick and booming, providing a rumbling bottom end groove. Venomous guitars strike back throughout the song, leaving serpentine pricks of electricity here-and-there. "Got What You Need" is a ripping bluesy piece that is hefty on emotion and heavy in heart. Frantic, furious and absolutely a joy to crank. Aldrich slays with the guitars in a very Page-like manner and just nails the notes with deft ease. The title track is a thumping anthem that sticks a modern twist in, and can be compared to John Sykes' solo works of yore mixed with "Slip of the Tongue" over-the-top theatrics.

"Can You Hear the Wind Blow" is repetitive, but watch out - because though it loses itself in frequent repetition, it also drills the chorus in your head. Addictive, with rocking flavor that is laid back but with power humming under the hood. "Call On Me" is an axe master's attack drill, seeing both Aldrich and Beach flinging strings and burning frets with savage grace. The heaviness and sheer adrenalized attitude is enough to keep the blood flowing through this stinging piece. "A Fool in Love Again" is a weathered bit of blues that calls upon the rainy moody days of David's collaboration with Zep's Page. Rich and dark and completely delicious.

"All For Love" is a kicking piece that is reminiscent of Thin Lizzy at times ("Jailbreak"-like vocals). The chorus is fat and the solo is superb. "Lay Down Your Love" hits those darker days and wails out some awesome vocals in "Still of the Night" soul-aching high style. The chorus is classic and another great solo takes the song up to a whole new level. A fine example of Whitesnake's legacy of marrying David's gorgeous seductive voice with high classy mind melting electric guitars.

The ballads are sweet and saccharine, "All I Want All I Need" is fluff, "Summer Rain" is acoustic puff, and "Til the End of Time" is bluesy-folksy stuff - and also the album's closer. All three wind the album down in appropriate places, taking breathers to keep the energetic material sounding spirited and fresh. "All I Want" is a soothing drifter, pouring in the sweetness self contentment feel. A relaxing sentimental piece. "Summer Rain" is based around the acoustic atmosphere, giving David's voice room to breathe. This peels back the years to "Saints and Sinners" with its light touch and retro-storyteller feel. "Til the End of Time" takes the brush with southern rock blues in "Summer Rain" to the next level and it lays on the soul thickly. A different direction for the band, but ends the album on a sweet, fulfilling note.

Disc two is a nice cross collection of Coverdale fronted tuneage. "Burn-Stormbringer" is a melting of two Deep Purple classics into one absolutely explosive track. A conflagration of hard rock that sends frets burning and strings exploding. "Walking in the Shadows..." is a great bluesy piece given new life by the current guitarist duo. "The Deeper the Love" and the always addictive "Don't Break My Heart Again" sound awesome live and have relevance and burning passion imbedded in both. "Ready & Willing" has always been a great stage song and proves it still holds its own even now. "Take Me With You" is also included and gives a nice spin on the classic. The 'Snake has chosen to showcase some of the second tier songs with this additional live cd, a wise decision since most of their hits were covered on the live disc and DVD that was released in 2007.

To say this is a 'hair band' reunion album would be an ignorant travesty, and anyone that thinks such things apparently has no idea about the history of Whitesnake. "Good to be Bad" culls the best from all decades, reaching all the way to the first bite in the late 70s and even earlier into Coverdale fronted era - Deep Purple territory. Not only do you get an excellent hard rock cd of new tunes, there's a bonus live disc to give you a taste of what these guys are dishing out in concert as well.
A superb double shot of hard rock from one of the biggest names in the 80s with David going out of his way to prove his band has the guts, stamina and hunger to be arena rock gods of today. In this day and age, rock gods are not exactly in favor or plentiful, but when Whitesnake takes the stage you can feel the presence of rock stars, and its a glorious thing indeed. Play it loud and play it proud - and rejoice that some artists still know how to pen a great hard rock track now instead of whining constantly about the bygone era of yesterday. Eleven new songs, a whole disc of live tunes, and the album offered in three formats - CD, Mp3 download and LP (yes, real records!), Whitesnake's got your vice and are ready to prove to you that it is indeed "Good to Be Bad"!

Written by Alanna
Friday, May 9, 2008
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