Ready to get W.E.T.? How about just out and out drenched? W.E.T.'s "debut" album of sheer melodic rock bliss is made up of three main players who create the sound and forge the basis of the name. Songwriter Robert Sall from Work of Art for the W, Eclipse guitarist/songwriter/etc Erik Martensson from Eclipse for that E and the T represents Jeff Scott Soto. For Talisman of course.

And that pretty much sums up the overall sound you get out of this disc - a delictable dazzly mixture of Work of Art's melodies, Eclipse's metallic edge and axe bite, and Talisman's huge AOR obsessive sound. Throw in a few nods (or rather obscene gesture) in the Journey direction, and you get a sweet, sweet album that explodes musical ecstacy all over the place. Songwriting is the ultimate key to the album's mind blowing success, and that unites Robert and Erik with Miqael Persson who penned everything you hear here. Style, substance, and a massive melodic sound that will leave you speechless, and wondering "Journey... WHO? They still around?" They sealed the deal with Frontiers Records and just called Jeff in to put his vocals on top of their project.

Yes, we all know Journey said "goodbye" to Jeff Scott Soto and replaced him with a heavily accented copycat of their unobtainable Steve Perry, despite enthusiastic reviews to JSS with Journey's live performances. Journey pooped out an album quickly afterward that was alright, but in comparison with the majesty of this "in your face" disc, it seems like a weak, watery shadow indeed. Just listen to the positively 80s excess caught in a web of pure "Raised on Radio" over-the-top-ness in the smashing "If I Fall" to be convinced beyond any doubt that JSS is "the man". And by "the man", meaning, a fantastic vocalist that just keeps improving as the years tick by. Jeff is on top of his game here, delivering high pitched full throttle vocals, silky smooth in that lower register and skirting the gruffness in the more metallic moments.

The creams of the crop include "I'll Be There" that has the snappy crackling of full bodied European rock and sizzling red hot guitars that string out this fantastic guitar melody. JSS's utterly enrapturing vocals are powerful and gorgeously rich, a terrific match for the thunderheart uptempo pacing. Urging you to follow your dreams is the uplifting, "Just Go" that lays it down heavy and thick, swirling the keyboards to get that lighter touch. The vocal force keeps your heart palpitating, enriched by the wicked drumming and the adrenaline rush chorus. The rapid pulse rate point is all positive notions and fierce determination.
 
 "My Everything" has that AOR touch, and falls somewhere between Danger Danger and Work of Art. The passionate vocals sell this one - from the escalating highs to the silky lows. "If I Fall" is worth mentioning twice (or thrice even). Beginning as slow, thoughtful and moody, then it just firecrackers into sparkling dynamite, a gigantic chorus of pure A grade Journey proportions. This is classic Journey, complete with the amazing vocal heroics layered over the extended guitar solo.
 
"Running From the Heartache" may just be melodic perfection however, and is outstanding in every instance. The guitar and synth exclamations, the sing-a-long bridge, the tense buildup into the aural detonation that is the chorus. Guitar tones are absolutely divine and the vocals are just heavenly, conveying so much emotion in so few words. Truly the work of a master singer, and the product from songwriters who know how to milk that talent for all of its worth.

Then there's the first four tracks which are a tour-de-force of undiluted awesomeness. The typical slow buildup, like the hesitation before the coming storm, that begins slow and atmospheric only to explode in your face... this "Invincible" is not just gold melodic rock, it is pure platinum and polished to a fantastic shine. A thundering rhythm section sets the pace and the vocals are out of this world. A tough driving guitar riff and matching intense vocals force it into a galloping rock overdrive ride. Malmsteen essence can be heard in the splitting strings, bubbly solos (straight out of Erik's Eclipse book of guitar spells). Absolutely instant and killer throughout.
 
"One Love" cranks it up another notch, featuring multiple layers, and a big bold chorus. No surprise that they made a video and a single (of sorts) out of this one. It just oozes melodic goodness from every musical pore. Subdued keyboards lend that textured touch, and the guitar lay a dramatic foundation. "Brothers in Arms" cuts a notch down on the frenzied pacing and spots huge harmonies that drive the chorus and utilize the rising and falling of the sound.
 
"Comes Down Like Rain" is sultry, steamy and rolls in as whispery as the soft patter of rain. Slower paced, a lover's whisper, a paramour's diary of ecstacy. Gentle, delicately soft, like round raindrops that gain intensity as it whips itself into a frenzied emotional downpour. The sweetness of the self restrained tension and the inevitable backlash is a celebration of desire's passion.

There's a song duo smack in the midst of it all that are not quite up to the excelled status of the others. "Damage is Done" has a solid enough foundation, being a mixture in sound akin to Europe's AOR ride "Out of This World", and their souped up, overlooked "Prisoners in Paradise". The message here is the endless quest to erase the hate and blind injustices in the world. A weighty matter, and perhaps that leadens the song a bit. Sweetly squealing guitars add additional definition to this relatively catchy rock track.
 
"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth" follows the previous' lead by hitting up politics this time, still very much in the worldly manner of things. This pair of tracks contain plenty energy galore, but lack some of the "pop" the other tracks possess seemingly so effortlessly. So when these are very good, respectable rockers, they seem dimmer in this extraordinary company.

W.E.T. is without a doubt a fantastic slab of AOR. You would be hard pressed to find a more consistent "pure" AOR/melodic rock record out there (albums that are minus the modern makeovers). Jeff Scott Soto has perhaps never sounded better, bearing all of his soul and talent on this album. Matched with fabulous songs (thanks to Erik and Robert mainly), and dreamy guitarwork, this makes for a spectacular offering. The smartly sharp production push this one over the top.   This may very well go down as one of the landmark albums for melodic rock in this decade. Higher praise is possibly...not possible.

Written by Alanna
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 9/10

Members: 8.5/10 - Average of 2 ratings.



Member ratings

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Steen (Staff) Rating: 8.5/10 Brilliant album. Without doubt the melodic rock highlight of the year. If the new Stan Bus... · Read more ·

Little Drummer Boy Rating: 8.5/10 This is the AOR Rock release of the year in my opinion. Not much more that can be said tha... · Read more ·

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Comment by Manarocks (Member) - Thursday, November 26, 2009

View Profile Comments: 1 Ratings: 0 This is one of 2009 best AOR cd. The great songwriting of Robert and Erik and top it off with Soto vocals this is a match made in heaven as the old saying goes. This release reminds me of the Ramos/ Hugo The Dream cd. Soto should stick with these guys for future projects. Soto was not the right fit for Journey and everyone knew that. Soto needs to move on and he now has the group of guys to do that with W.E.T. Posted by Manarocks Thursday, November 26, 2009

Review by Steen (Staff) - Saturday, December 5, 2009

View Profile Comments: 518 Brilliant album. Without doubt the melodic rock highlight of the year. If the new Stan Bush album doesn't come out this year I doubt anything will match it. Rating: 8.5/10 Posted by Steen (Staff) Saturday, December 5, 2009

Review by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

View Profile Comments: 166 Ratings: 46 This is the AOR Rock release of the year in my opinion. Not much more that can be said that the reviews that have been posted. I am hard pressed to pick a clear cut favorite from this one. The first 4 tracks and the last one were the immediate standouts (and I mean blew me away type of standouts) for me on the first couple spins. "If I Fall" is right out of the mid 80's journey era. A perfect ending to a great release :-) Well I have to say I am not sure what the Journey crew were thinking when they ousted him because they could have had something special with JSS at the helm. But then again good thing or else we may not have had the privilege to indulge in this great release. Rating: 8.5/10 Posted by Little Drummer Boy Wednesday, December 23, 2009