Michael Bormann is something of an enigma.
He's a gifted songwriter and a talented producer. Unfortunately, his work with his primary mouthpiece, Jaded Heart, has always sounded blatantly derivative. Too blatant to be interpreted as tribute.
Yes, I know the "everybody's influenced by someone" argument, I've used it myself, but you've got to draw the line somewhere.
So, the first thing that strikes you about this album is that he doesn't sound like Jon
Bon Jovi any more. Hallelujah! You might say.
Then you realise that now he sounds like Kip Winger. And maybe Joe Elliott.
On the positive side . . . and it's a pretty big side, I admit,
'Capture The Moment', written, arranged, produced and performed by Bormann, is a milestone in his career.
There's barely a trace of original thinking, but it's done with such style and conviction, it's hard not to be impressed. Aurally air brushed, the songs look and sound good, they make all the right moves and will get heads turning.
He's clearly poured his heart and soul into this recording. On tracks like
'I Wanna Hear Your Voice' and '
Half Way Down' he aims for a depth of emotion, a gravitas previously unheard of, and by God, he almost succeeds.
On
'When Push Comes To Shove' and
'Friends For A Lifetime' Bormann has taken a purposeful stroll through a classic rock riff junkyard, where he's picked up all manner of components, some jettisoned by Whitesnake, others cast adrift by
Def Leppard and welded them into a couple of huge melodic rock songs.
'Come Take Me Higher' is brilliantly grandiose, pompous melodic rock.
The opening to
'I Will Hold The Line' is a fabulous
Van Halen / Toto hybrid, gilded by a monster Coverdale-esque performance and a towering hook.
Nothing else really matches up to the preceding tracks, though
'Love Is Magic' has a grow-on-you charm and
'Don't Bother Me', one of the two duets on the album - this one with Anette (Nightwish) Olzon - has a funky, thick cut undercurrent.
There's just not enough variety or variation elsewhere to make the remaining tracks standout. Even the Tommy Denander cowrites are nothing special.
But all that said, thankfully, the really good stuff here is very good indeed.
Written by
Brian Monday, July 7, 2008
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