CHICAGO - Stone Of Sisyphus
The unreleased 1993 album eventually gets to see the light of day thanks to the enterprising Rhino Records label in the USA.
I'd heard / read / somehow sublimated a version of the truth that went along these lines : the label thought it wasn't good enough / commercial enough. Thus it got shelved.
Let me tell you, that judgement couldn't be further from reality.
This album is immense. Lamm, Champlin and Scheff haven't sung better. The horn section is red hot. The arrangements are cutting edge. The songwriting is state of the art. Peter Wolf's production, sonically, is way ahead of its time.
The album reminds you of when the band first started out. Edgy, funky, powerful. All allied to marvellous melodies.
No saccharin ballads, no obvious chartworthy fare.
Now we know why the label turned it down.
THE PSYCHICS - S/T
Lionsheart started in 1994 with brothers Mark and Steve Owers - identical twins, songwriters and guitarists.
14 years on they've formed The Psychics. When you hear Steve Owers on vocals, you'll genuinely wonder why Lionsheart ever needed Steve Grimmett.
It's not original and it's not cutting edge. But if ever an album invoked the classic rock that was given birth in the UK by giants like Led Zeppelin, Bad Company and Whitesnake, then this is the one. Truly sensational hard rock, walking in the shadow of the blues.
CANDLEBOX - Into The Sun
I always thought Candlebox were a band who rode in on the coattails of grunge.
This new release proves beyond all doubt (if anyone had any) that they are a band with their own clear identity and sound, with the songs and musicianship to match.
TOUCH - S/T
The once again repackaged (lavishly, lovingly) and unarguably iconic debut album from Mark Mangold's band just seems to grow younger each time you hear it.
It helped write the script for pomp rock and as a piece of popular art / culture, call it what you will, it deserves its elevated position.
And finally, briefly:
JAMES LABRIE - Prime Cuts
All that you would expect. 'This Time This Way' from 'Leonardo The Absolute Man' just has to be one of Labrie's finest ever moments.
ARI KOIVUNEN - Becoming
I'm having to live with this one a while. Disappointing at first listen. This time Nino Laurenne and Pasi Heikkila confined themselves to writing the lyrics and producing. Koivunen wrote all the music. This may have been a mistake. Time - and a lot more plays - will tell.
ASGARD - On The Verge
Innovative Power Metal from Russia.
Makes European Power Metal sound clichéd and unimaginative.
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS - Greatest Hits
Ah. The master at work. This is how it should be done. They're all here.
American Girl, Won't Back Down, Free Fallin etc etc.
The ultimate driving companion.
KISSIN DYNAMITE - Steel Of Swabia
Pity the album title makes this sound so metal.
It's actually a marvellous thrill ride through glam/sleaze/hard rock. If you love Guns'N'Roses, The Poodles, Wigwam, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, you'll love this.
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