I think I speak for a lot of us, when I admit that after
Firehouse's first 3 albums and the splendid "Good Acoustics" I kind of gave up on them. If you feel the same way "Prime Time" is definitely the album to get you back on track.
Prior to the last album "O2"
Firehouse parted ways with original bass player Perry Richardson, who was replaced by Bruce Waibel (R.I.P.). On "Prime Time" Dario Seixas takes over bass duties.
"Prime Time" is based in
Firehouse's Hard Rock roots. Overall this is very much guitarist Bill Leverty's record, since "Prime Time" is a very electric guitar minded record. The tone of Bill Leverty's guitar is crunchy and he plays some really cool and inventive riffs. Bill Leverty is out of control on the Michael Foster sung
Door to Door, which has 2 extended guitar solos. The regular solo lasts for approx. 40 seconds and then Bill is all warmed up. He is absolutely fantastic on the outro solo, which lasts a minute and a half. He unfolds his entire repertoire as guitarist with intelligent and very entertaining playing.
The guitar work is very much alike the first records, however,
Firehouse has progressed as songwriters. This is perfectly exemplified on album highlight
Perfect Lie. The verse is mellow and moody with addition of keyboard and sound effects. The electric guitar kicks in on the pre-chorus and everything comes together on the melodic chorus, which is one of the best I ever heard from
Firehouse. CJ sounds in vocal top form on this one.
Other great songs include the simple power chord rocker
Crash and
Body Language, which is a typical
Firehouse rocker and
Body Language could have been on any
Firehouse record.
Holding On is a great song with a modern approach chorus and once again Bill Leverty shines on the six-string.
CJ Snare's characteristic voice is the trademark of
Firehouse. Therefore it's incomprehensible that CJ only sings on 7 out of 10 songs. I think it ruins the flow of the record with various singers. Bill Leverty's vocals on
I'm the One sounds alright, but his vocals doesn't stand out like CJ's. Furthermore
I'm the One sounds very similar to
Don't Walk Away from the debut album. Bill Leverty also sings
Holding On and in general his voice is bluesy and in contrast to CJ Snare's high pitched vocal.
Overall a strong effort from
Firehouse. "Prime Time's" most ordinary songs
Take Me Away and
Home Tonight sound a little uninspired, but they still rock though. The title track is the only song that doesn't match the overall standard of the album.
The album's only ballad rounds off the album. CJ Snare has written
Let Go, which is a beautiful piano driven ballad. Great encouraging lyrics about things getting better.
"Prime Time" has lots of strong songs and once again it's time for
Firehouse to Rock. There are a few flaws, which I pinpointed in this review, but in general, it's a warm return to former time's strength. The production is really strong and "Prime Time" ranks among
Firehouse's best albums ever.
Written by
Michael Thursday, December 4, 2003
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 7.5/10Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
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