Album Review - Hardline - Leaving the End Open

Hardline's debut album came out in 1992 and now 17 years later they are finally up to their third release. This lineup neither has Neal Schon nor Johnny's brother Joey Gioeli on guitars, instead employing Josh Ramos on the axe, who is more than capable of filling anyone's shoes. Johnny Gioeli has been the voice of Axel Rudi Pell's solo discs for over a decade while Ramos recently released a deeply Journey influenced album with singer Hugo under the Ramos/Hugo name. Also those that are looking for something akin to the dirty "sleaze" grooves of that hard rock "Double Eclipse" debut will also be feeling a bit out of place amongst this dominantly modern album. However, the songs are strong, and given some time (and a bit of patience) no doubt you'll come to appreciate the emotional rollercoaster that is "Leaving the End Open".

The finest highlight is track two, "Falling Free". Percussion and guitars shiver electric thunder through a mostly laid-back atmosphere of vivid windswept glory. Chorus opens up like the grey ribbon of a highway, promising the tantalizing taste of pure freedom snaking into the distance. An invitation to let your walls fall, barriers down and fill your aura with melodic dizzing bliss.

There's the three ballads, beginning with "Start Again". Wrapped in the hush of hesitant heartbreak. Wispy song made of silver moonlight and the deep lavender shadows from evening's fall. A love that's slipping, the desperation consuming need to patch the wounds, turns sorrow into happiness, devastation to paradise. Vocally shaped and surrounded by musical beauty, the guitar solo is of special attention as it flutters like a butterfly over still waters. It has the substance and coldness of brittle starlight and is just as entrancing.
"Bittersweet" says it all... guitars are drops of crystal leaving a yearning ache in the soul even as the notes twist it tightly around your heart. A softness lies here, a feathery bluesy brush. A bare and vulnerable atmosphere brings to mind other stark tracks as those seen on Glory's "Wintergreen". "In This Moment" is another ballad, this one concentrating on piano and vocals to showcase a simple but effective "classic" approach. Simplicity of emotion leaves a nakedly honest impact, though it doesn't have the overall attraction of "Start Again" nor the delightful guitars from "Bittersweet".

"Give in to This Love" flirts with "Double Eclipse" more boldly than anything else on the album. Heady, thick, carnal guitars and primal predatory vocals stalk up to the melodically glazed chorus. A wicked rawness gives a sleazy touch of naughty scintillating 80s glimmer without the glitter. "Before This" is breathtaking fresh freedom, as also found on "Falling Free", but given a more traditional AOR structuring. The chorus is magnificently huge, expansive and booming to just wash you away. Every guitar note dances in its own personal importance, nothing wasted. A huge song here given substance by its clever cutting lyrics. Very TNT/Harem Scarem/Pretty Maids/Danger Danger (all modern versions) in nature.

The growling, angst spewing "Hole in My Head" is all thunderdark percussion and pounding bass vibrating to the core. Regretting a venomous tongue and a self lashing theme, it is deviously aggressive and self suffering. Pieces of melody are littered here and there, infectiously placed. The continuous, unrelenting flow has this bristling edginess and a sense of darkness sucking you down. A fantastic track, warped in its vortex of pain and Gioeli's lusciously aggressive vocals.

"Leaving the End Open" (the song) has more great guitarwork from Ramos, flowing out as an electric river joined by vocals at the dam of the chorus. Its all crashing against the constraints. Pouring out like a deliciously tingling sedative, vocals sooth the nerves and calm the mind, music coating the soul in pleasing waves of relaxation. Sizzly guitars open up the end like fireworks sparkling in the dark.

Johnny Gioeli is Hardline's soul, blessing the music with depth and subtlety and Ramos' guitar gives the album heart, fluid and emotive. A very solid album that has a strong modern influence. Better than "II" and very different from "Double Eclipse", "Leaving the End Open" is very much unique in its own right.

Written by Alanna
Friday, May 8, 2009
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