DEF LEPPARD - VAULT
I add this because I've been listening to alot of assorted Def Leppard songs lately and most of them are on here, so there we go. "Love and Hate Collide" is a new found favorite. Not that I didn't love it back in the day, I remember listening to the local pop/rock station and their Top 8 At 8 (something that went the dodo years ago) and breathless waiting for this song to come on (it had a lengthy reign as one of the top favorites for several weeks on that local countdown). The surge of hearing a fresh new Def Lep song was dizzying, and hearing it actually broadcast for all the world to hear (or atleast as far as the station's transmitter's signal strength allowed people to tune in) was electrifying. It wasn't found on any albums I had at the time and I lusted after it with a passion. I bought "Vault" JUST for this one song. I love the sentiments, the lyrics and just the whole package. As for the rest of "Vault", well, it's awesome. Of course its awesome, its packed with the band's greatest hits (up to that point) and despite the fact I owned all the full length albums already and some singles to boot, it was still a worthwhile purchase.
FROM THE INSIDE - VISIONS
Now here is where I go all mushy and gushy. I will admit I had never paid Danny Vaughn much attention til this album. Sure, I had loved some Waysted stuff, and had dabbled in Tyketto but never truly delved deep into it as with other bands. But this album... at first, it was a pleasant listen with some instant hits. No surprise there. But then I *really* listened and his voice just floored me. I was enticed to hear more, entranced by his vocals. The man truly has an amazing voice. The aspect that attracts me so is the smoothness of it. When he's singing its absolutely buttery smooth. Flawless, effortless, absolutely gorgeous. He puts little twists on words that make the average an absolute delight to hear. I have rewound and replayed several of his verses many times just to hear the nuances again. The two songs that have been subject to my pick aparts the most are "Telemetry" and "Push Me Off". The songs themselves fill me with such an overall sense of happiness and well being that its safe to say I am solidly addicted to hearing them. Jimi Bell's guitar is just heavenly and Danny's expressive voice is just the gravy for it all. Those that missed this or overlooked it, all I have to say is: You are really missing out. Period.
BOB CATLEY - IMMORTAL
Ah I have gushed over this in depth during my review of the album, but it truly is a disc that has the ability to turn heads and capture hearts, all while retaining its regal medieval aire. Catley's voice is that of a storyteller, a vision of a bard from lands beyond recapping grand tales of terror and adventure that lead through darkness, light and perhaps even, "The End of The World".
ICED EARTH - HORROR SHOW
This is an unremorsefully cheesy album, one that usually gets sideways glances and disbelieving looks. Even after its release I wasn't particularly sure if it was serious in truth or just some kind of sly jest from the band. "Something Wicked" was a disc that metal fans could be proud to show off, and "Horror Show" seemed like some kind of joke with a missing punchline. Sure, it had a few good songs, but the movie monster spook fest was several steps back from the dead ring of "Wicked". However, it does lend itself to the Halloween season nicely as it is inspired by an array of campy horror flicks and tales. Silver screen staples such as Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde and Dracula all receive songs about them and titled with their names. Others include the Creature from the Black Lagoon for "Dragon's Child" and "Damien" from The Omen movies. Alot of thought obviously went into this compilation of shock flick tribute songs, but for a serious followup to the much beloved "Something Wicked", it seems greatly lacking. Other than spook season background music of course.
JORN LANDE - LONELY ARE THE BRAVE
I accidentally stumbled upon this (again) and was swept away once more by its majesty. Jorn Lande has all the self importance and confidence of a young Ronnie James Dio and copies his penmanship style to match. It's "Mob Rules", it is absolutely "Kill the King", "Holy Diver", "Stargazer" but in Lande's interpretation and lyrical tales. He sets you free to run with wolves, become a shameless hurricane or a fairy on a flower. He makes you contemplate the simple truth of "the stars can be undone" - "why save the world when you can rule it?" His voice dips, dives and dares to challenge everyone, a metal warrior with a cutting sharp blade at the ready. And Lande takes all comers and slays them with ease. His vocals, well they are fabulous, and his presence is soul shaking, leaving you gasping for more. Needing more, wanting more. To wrap yourself in those dark tales and become immersed in his fantastic world of fantasy and dark.
HONEYMOON SUITE - CLIFTON HILLS
A silly name for an alright album (and yes I realize that's where the band formed, but still). It's reminiscent of Saigon Kick, storyteller Bon Jovi, White Lion and others. The feel is more modern than one would like, acoustic taking the spotlight from the synths and keyboards that used to lay down the foundation of the Honey-Suite sound. Overall its an alright album but not one that blows you away for any particular reason, and in a market that is overflowing with discs that have the ability to steal your heart away, one that just makes pleasant waves somehow seems not quite enough.
TYKETTO - DON'T COME EASY
After my strange love affair with "From the Inside" and of more import, the voice of Danny Vaughn, I of course had to go sifting through my collection to find more. Tyketto rang a bell and am shamed to admit that I never really gave the album much of a chance. There was a time when I was playing "catch up" to the metal/hard rock scene and would buy 20-30 discs at once and then attempt to force feed myself over the next week or so. A few would set themselves aside as something amazing. The others would be dismissed and fell at the bottom of the pile only to sit and collect dust as another pile of discs would be dumped on top of them. Sad, but true. Often has been the case when I have "rediscovered" something from this pile and wondered why it didn't catch my attention in the first place. Tyketto is yet another in a long line of misplaced bands that I now have come to truly appreciate and enjoy. Even if it has been nearly a decade since it was first acquired. Excellent 80s melodic metal and Vaughn's voice is splendid, however I believe I prefer him as he is now.
EVERGREY - TORN
The album farkin depresses me. It is splendid in many ways, but the dreary atmosphere and tortured vocals just send shards of arrows right to my soul and leaves me weeping and bleeding. It's the best thing Evergrey has coughed up in years, and is definitely worth the fallout to experience. No one should ever refer to them as mere "power metal" again.
GOTTHARD - DOMINO EFFECT
With one word: FANTASTIC. It was my pick from last year and I still listen to it heavily. It has wormed its way into my elite batch of "car" discs. Every song is a joy though some surge through the blood more pure and ecstatic than others. Its a heady hard rock disc that leaves you gasping in joy and sheer wonder of it all. It is Gotthard's most cohesive and easy flowing disc yet and is packed with hooks, great guitar solos and sticky melodies. If you don't own it.. shame upon YOU!
PARAMORE - RIOT
Yes, yes, laugh at me. That's alright. Paramore has a song in the massively popular rhythm/music game: Rock Band 2. It's called "That's What You Get" and does quite rock out. Female vocals, great melodies, some surprising guitar and a very pop oriented milky creamy center. "Crushcrushcrush" is also an entertaining little piece. They are perhaps not radio darlings but they have seen mainstream play in the US and I would easily award them points for a great effort and staying true to making a disc that is not all emo-whiny or nu-metal mess. You can grab it for cheap, so if you are interested in the femme vocals, this is one you might want to check out. Some of the songs are worth sifting through.
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