This playlist is a little long winded. Sorry about that, I just started writing and kept on and on and.... well you get the picture. Settle in for a nice read about some good albums and some shallow but true stories. Awesome! Its "teh! METAL!"
KIP WINGER - FROM THE MOON TO THE SUN
I haven't really had much use for Kip's solo albums in the past. But they say third time is the charm, and that is so with this release. It's a journey through various shades of emotional turmoil, but the high point for me is the fantastic "Nothing". The weight of the song, it's "Pull"-like verse structures that are sunk in infuriatingly sharp rhythms that climax in a melodic outpouring for the chorus. It's splendid. Would this have worked without the painstaking beauty of Kip's voice? No. The quality of his voice is equally amazing. The favorite moment comes near the end of the album where one of the verses is slightly changed, but the variation is enough to put the emphasis on something entirely different and change the meaning completely. "Barely holding onto..." and then this heart catching pause..."you..." As he sings this, the pause in the middle, even as it is vocalized of 'holding on', you get this sense of a strong pull. He's letting go... though fighting it with all his will. It's so powerful, so beautiful... Yeah, "Nothing" could end up being song of the year.
RAINBOW - STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
I love this album and it loves me. We've been together for over 15 years now and everytime it gets reloaded into the CD player, I just get this stupid grin of sheer joy hearing it. Turner's voice, Blackmore's guitar, Glover's bass - it's such a tight knit unit and the songs are marvelous. "Stone Cold" is possibly my favorite song of - all freakin' time - and it also includes the magnificent of "Street of Dreams". Blackmore's melodic electric guitar playing is sorely missed.
DEF LEPPARD - SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE
They need Mutt Lange for true greatness, but the Leps are getting by without him alright. "C'mon C'mon" and "Nine Lives" are fun party songs that capture the essence of mid 80s-early 90s Leppard. Unfortunately it seems that they have forgotten how to spin harder or more mystical feeling tales as seen on their first three releases.
MAGNUM - ON A STORYTELLER'S NIGHT
Show me someone that hates this album and I will show you someone that hates life. A bit harsh? Yeah, but still.... it's hard not to get caught up in this record and become addicted to Bob Catley's vocals and Tony Clarkin's melodious guitars. "Storyteller's Night" comes alive with a touch of fantasy magic as a fireside tavern tale and "Just Like an Arrow" pumps with melodic perfection and a delicious chorus. Magnum camps are always sharply divided but this record seems to convert them all.
PLANET ALLIANCE
A better title would have been Karlsson/Anderson, maybe then people would have take note with Magnus' name right in the forefront. Instead this is one of his pet side projects that seemed to be criminally overlooked. Those looking for an Allen/Lande-ish fix will be pleased with what's on offer here. Well crafted songs, terrific drumming, a surprisingly melodic turn to Cloudscape's Mike's voice and just a solid effort overall. Deserving special recognition are "Calling My Name" that is an axe lover's fancy feast and "Remember Me" that flaunts an 80s chorus and glorious clean electric guitar work by Karlsson. A hidden gem! Indeed! Thanks to Little Drummer Boy for pointing this one out to me.
WHITESNAKE - SNAKEBITE
It's still good after all these years. "Only My Soul" (stops me from crying) and "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" are two fine brood fests. So bluesy and heartfelt, David was a master manipulator of emotions even then.
JORN - LONELY ARE THE BRAVE
Yes, yes they are. Lande is starting to repeat himself a bit too much on his solo works but no matter, everyone comes to his solo party to hear his voice. And no worries, for he's top notch here.
VIRGIN STEELE - LIFE AMONG THE RUINS
There was much debate about this back in the fledgling days of the interwebz. I lost a friend over this album, but hey they weren't much of a friend anyway if it could come apart over a cd, right? The deal was this - he had heard that VS's LAtR was crap. I had read that it was crap and thus was intrigued. Love for "Marriage of Heaven and Hell I & II" and "Age of Consent" was running high at the time and thundering in my blood. How DeFeis could make something so lowly reguarded was a mystery to me so the only sensible thing was to actually hear it. I bought it, adored it, declared it to be - one of the best melodic AOR discs of the 90s - and my so-called friend then said "if you are into Life Among the Ruins then I am not your friend" - in a Manowar like fashion."Death to false Virgin Steele albums". Thus I was cast away and happily so because my adoration of LATR is just that strong.
This is a true story. Sadly. I think the "stupid one" was the one that refused to even listen to the album in the first place.
In short, this CD is TERRIFIC if you want hard hitting, emotionally gripping, deliciously naughty music that will leave you feeling dirty, cleansed, exalted - all within a short period of time. The sexual churn of "Sex Religion Machine", the sweaty dirty "Crown of Thorns", the falsetto gushing glory of "The Last Rose of Summer" and the slinky rocker "Love is Pain"... AWESOME.
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