MelodicRock.com Reviews


DOMINOE
NO SILENCE...NO LAMBS
MTM Music
Produced by: Not Listed
Released: OUT NOW
Closest Relative: Michael Bormann
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 50%

  1. Secret
  2. Here I Am 2001
  3. Sad Songs
  4. We Stand Together
  5. Face Your Fears
  6. Silence
  7. Dark Dogs
  8. Let It Rain
  9. Passion And Desire
  10. Down On This Dusty Road
  11. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
  12. Here I Am (Unplugged)

An interesting set of releases from MTM Music is headed up by this German band, lost since 1990.
Considering the label was thinking of moving away from melodic releases, this trio of album is very mellow and flies in the face of moves to release heavier albums.
Domino are very European. Naturally so, as they are a German band, but their sound is so dominantly European, it's appeal might not translate to an American audience or fans of the more commercial melodic rock a la Giant, Bon Jovi and MTMs own Tower City.
Then there is also the lead vocals. They are very accented, which can turn some people off.
The lead song of this album is a remake of the hit the band had in the late 80's. It sounds it.
Here I Am is a very pop anthem, with Nelson-like harmony vocals and lead vocals sounding like a sugar sweet version of Jaded Heart's Michael Bormann.
Although this song and this album has everything fans of soft melodic rock could ask for - big vocals, strong harmonies, pleasant melodies and passionate ballads - there is something that just doesn't work.
I love light pop / melodic rock and big harmonies, but I think this album in general is just....well, it's just too sugary sweet and somewhat cheesy in places.
Even when the band change direction and get tougher during the middle part of the album - especially on Dark Dogs, I don't buy it.
Apparently the original version of the song Here I Am was included on both the band's previous albums.
Now it's here again, and on the CDR I have, in no less than 4 different versions! Good Lord people!!
I am not sure what the band are thinking, but the dance version gets my vote for worst song of the year, but thankfully, it seems as if that and the grunge version have been left off the final cut.
And the inclusion of BTO's You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet in 'modern rock goes acoustic' style highlight's the band's confusion in what direction to go.
All I can suggest is that if you are looking for something that is both well written, sweet and full of great harmonies, go straight to the best - Nelson. if you are looking for something European, try Jaded Heart or Bormann's soft acoustic solo album.
If every song was of the quality of the anthem AOR gem Passion And Desire and the opening track Secret, we would be getting somewhere. Unfortunately - they aren't.
BOTTOM LINE: This album is like a soft pop version of Jaded Heart, with 10 kilo's of sugar added.
Although the band's intentions are clear and honest enough, overall, it's just too nice and too cheesy.
The inclusion of a few darker rockers doesn't compensate for the amount of saccharine in the other tracks.
This release also get my award for dumbest album title in a long while.
PRODUCTION: 75% SONGS: 55% VIBE: 40%ATTITUDE: 40%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Mmm...fans of the original 1988 hit??
DISCOGRAPHY:Keep In Touch . The Key . No Silence...No Lambs



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