The Lou Gramm Band is headed up by ex-Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm, who has been quiet over the past few years. His last memorable appearance was on the fantastic "Mr. Moonlight" album that remains a curiously wonderful note in the band's legacy.
 
 This solo/band disc has a more generic turn to its events, and seems rather vanilla despite attempts to spice up the tried and true recipe now and then. The most noticeable thing about this disc (soundwise) is the awkward mix. The music often way overpowers the vocals of Gramm. Lou has a duskier, lower midrange that is not the powerhouse showman style that populated the early - and most memorable - Foreigner years.
Therefore he is simply drowned by the over emphasis on the music. This makes it seem like he is in some kind of competition between vocalist and musicians, disrupting the songs' flow.  The source material is a bit too preachy as well, and gets tiresome after a few tracks, but what else can you expect from a Christian Rock band.  Say what!?  Let's not mince words here, The Lou Gramm Band is most definitely Christian Rock. 

"Baptized by Fire" is an upbeat track that patters down like a rainstorm with scattered thundershowers in the immediate forecast. Strong thumping bassline and clean guitars ring out as a smooth rock cross between Street Talk and subdued Ten. A big chorus works in its favor and makes this the biggest song on the album.
 
Dramatic splashes of synth and upfront vocals spin an open hearted uptempo rock piece that spritzes on the guitars liberally for "Made to be Broken". Pumping chorus and laid back acoustic verses give "Willing to Forgive" a breezy, homespun AOR feel.
A true ballad fleshes out the kind of cheddary "That's the Way God  Planned It" and drowns in a Christian rock theme. A song that could inspire as it preaches its way to a better life through the acceptance of circumstance, love, (and a higher power?).  Blues squealing guitars peppered with the deep rough velvet voice of Gramm bring life to "I Wanna Testify". The backup choir on the chorus brings the loose played verses into a big organ warbling dramatic focus. Replay value is questionable though.
 
"So Great" is knee deep in synth, guitars and huge vocals. They burst open another Christian religion fueled track that praises the Lord with a bible thumping punch. The lurching forward rhythm combined with the blinding light of the exalted vocals makes the most fabulous Xtian rock thing since Stryper (eh?). Ah that's till the kids come singing in it for a few playground-like verses. Its just freaking CREEPY. Like little kids singing in horror movies. Not the desired effect, presumably.

"Redeemer" is characterized by thick slabs of guitars which lay it down plain as can be. Once you've been redeemed nothing is ever the same apparently. Or so the uptempo track would lead us to believe.  Nothing especially redeeming about the song, that's for sure.  "Single Vision" (kind of describes the album huh?) Acoustic and electric switch back and forth for show. Another rock song with the entertaining swapping between plugged and unplugged. "Rattle Yer Bones" has a loose Foreigner twist (a bit of Gramm's solo here too). Big chorus with cheesy lyrics set it back a few more decades. The arrangement is great in a nostalgic shaped way. One of the better crankin' tracks on the album, repetition of the "bone" theme aside.
 
"You Saved Me" ends the album on a positive note. Soft as sand and finally an opportunity to let Gramm shine in all his born again glory. Ambient sounds, piano and deep dramatics coax you to open your eyes to a grater force and banish the sorrow and loneliness through the light of the Lord. Powerfully convincing, atleast convincing to the listener that Gramm has indeed found something in religion to believe in. A very personal seeming song, uplifting for the fact that hearing one's plight turn their soul from troubled waters to the safe, secure and positive seas of a friendlier future.

Lou Gramm Band is essentially... a Christian rock outfit. Considering the trials and tribulations that Gramm has gone through over the past decade, this comes as no surprise. Overcoming brain cancer is a life changing thing, especially when you are a survivor. It's also plain to see why he and Mick Jones split it off if Christian clean music was the only avenue that Lou was willing to pursue post illness. Its great to hear Gramm back on record and the songs are mostly solid, if forgettable.
 
Unless you consider yourself saved or are open to the possibility of higher powers guiding your life, these preachy songs might not hit the right chord. While the material is respectable, its desperate need to convert all who listen is alright now and then but wears thin on repeated listens. It doesn't have the cheesy fun conviction of Stryper or the stellar musicianship of 80ish Guardian. The theme is not a diverse one, and the songs are not clearly catchy enough to break through and appeal to AOR listeners on all levels. Hats off to Gramm though for turning out a solid record and letting us hear him sing once again, even if the subject matter limits its mass appeal.

Written by Alanna
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 6/10

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