r e v i e w s i n b r i e f
BACK TO REVIEWS | BACK TO FRONTPAGE

ADD YOUR REVIEWS:|ADD YOUR RATINGS:|REVIEW INDEX


MIKE TRAMP
REMEMBERING WHITE LION
Deadline CLP0719-2
Produced by: Mike Tramp
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: White Lion, Van Hagar
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 86%
There is a lot to like about this collection of classic White Lion tunes. Mike Tramp recorded it after realizing there was not going to ever be a full band re-union and used his European based solo band to carve out new versions.
The vocals have been toned down to how Mike sings these days - lower, tougher. The songs themselves are also stripped right back and have a raw live feel.
Some are heavier than ever (All The Fallen Men, Little Fighter, El Salvador, Fight To Survive) and some rockier tunes have been stripped back (Wait).
For most part, this is a good fun, raw, hard rocking collection of our favourite tunes that pay homage to the original versions. In a couple of instances they are even better!
The only exception is Till Death Do Us Part, this experimental version doesn't really work as well as the rest of the tracks.
A minor point, the rest is well worth the look...

38 SPECIAL
LIVE AT STURGIS
CMC International 06076-86281-2
Produced by: 38 Special
Released: OUT NOW / Website
GENRE: Southern Rock
OVERALL: 83%
A pretty standard live Greatest Hits release from one of Southern Rock's greatest ever bands.
The thing that raises this above that standard mark is of course the legendary songs that the guys have written over the years and the way they are flawlessly performed on this recording.
The band roll through 12 classic tracks that will appeal to fans of AOR as well as fans of stripped back honest good straight forward rock n roll.
The bonus is a new studio track written by the band with their long time writing partner, Survivor's Jim Peterik.
Essential for all fans of 38 Special and great feeling live albums.

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP LIVE
UNFORGIVEN WORLD TOUR
SPV Records 085-21532
Produced by: Mike Varney
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: UFO
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 80%
Another live album from guitar God Michael Schenker. The things that make this one a little better than previous ones is the fact it's a double CD with plenty of tracks and the major bonus of having Steelhouse Lane vocalist Keith Slack singing most of them.
The tracks are taken from a couple of different gigs, the other one being a date with Kelly Keeling singing. (He sung on the Unforgiven album).
The songs are standard Schenker versions, but the recording is sharp and clear and sounds pretty live (no overdubs). Again the major bonus is the killer vocals from Slack, who brings new life to the classic tunes.
21 tracks of classic hard rock from UFO, Schenker and early Scorpions. Brilliant!

DC COPPER
DC COOPER
Inside Out IOMACD 2005
Produced by: Dennis Ward
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Pink Cream 69, Royal Hunt
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 85%
This is DC Cooper's solo debut after leaving his band Royal Hunt.
The vocalists solo album picks up where that band left off, but also adds a few new twists and sounds a little more like a solo album than band projects tend to be.
But that problem is mostly address by hiring the best musicians in this genre Europe can offer. So you will find that DC Coopers solo band is none other than the guys from Pink Cream 69.
This album is for want of a better description, parts of Pink Cream 69 and Royal Hunt mixed together with Copper's own solo vision.
This album is full of great powerful Euro hard rock songs that get to the point rather than drag on too long. There is in fact only one extended song, the 9 minute track The Union that ends the album. But I must say that tune is done very well also.
It's heavy, it's totally in your face and the vocals and playing throughout are basically flawless.
For any fan of Pink Cream 69, Fair Warning, Street Legal or Axel Rudi Pell. Very enjoyable and very high class.

BROKEN TEETH
BROKEN TEETH
Perris Records BR730004-2
Produced by: Broken Teeth & Daren Fleming
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Dangerous Toys, AC/DC
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 71%
Broken Teeth features Jason McMaster, formerly of Dangerous Toys.
He is pretty much the backbone of this album that has been recorded on a substantially smaller budget that he has previously worked with.
It's not a bad sound actually, the vocals if Dangerous Toys with a more straight up AC/DC feel.
And that is the album to a tee. A raw, live AC/DC influenced pub rock record that will appeal to those who like it no frills and no bullshit and not a keyboard in sight.
Not every Dangerous Toys fan is going to get it no this, but likewise there might be some new fans picked up along the way.

T'PAU
RED
Renaissance Records RMED00165
Produced by: Carol Decker
Released: LONG AGO! / Website
Closest Relative: Heart, Fiona
GENRE: Pop Rock
OVERALL: 93%
This album deserves so much more than an In Brief review. But in the interest of actually getting one done, here is a review.
This is an essential purchase to anyone that digs female vocals or great straight forward melodic pop rock.
This could even be T'Pau's best album to date, chock full of catchy, intelligent songs that ooze charisma. The choruses are all strong, the hooks are plenty and above all the vocal performance by Decker is above and beyond the call of duty.
in brief, straight forward rock n roll with a modern pop edge and plenty of hooks and harmonies.

SHANIA TWAIN
BEGINNINGS 1989-1990
VALLEY / WARNER VE15084
Produced by: Paul Sabu
Released: OUT NOW /
GENRE: Pop Rock
OVERALL: 68%
I am surprised that this has not been mentioned elsewhere previously...not that I have seen anyway.
Why is this being featured at all? Take a look at the producer! The mighty once AOR legend Paul Sabu. No pumping out melodic metal, Sabu was once a hot pop rock producer and it was once Shania that he worked with.
True to Sabu's roots, this stuff is more a rock version of what she is doing today, upbeat, feel good disposable pop, but without the twang and with a real hard edged electric guitar behind her.
The only problem here is this is a clear cash-in, the use of studio demo's that were never meant for release. For that reason the production is average. The songs are very like the classic AOR of Fiona and very enjoyable...she's got a classic voice for this material. Just a shame about the production.

WARRANT
GREATEST AND LATEST
DEADLINE RECORDS
Produced by: Warrant
Released: OUTB NOW / Website
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 50%
Typical of Deadline's policy of re-recording and releasing comes this collection of re-worked Warrant hits. Just like Mike Tramp's release except for one thing. This really lacks any major highlights. I was never a Warrant fan anyway, but these versions to me lack any power or passion or presence.
Strictly for the die hard fans. Their new version of Cherry Pie is terrible, but Downboys is much better.
Why the remixes I will never know. What rock fan in their right mind gets in these crappy industrial dance tracks?

HIGHER GROUND
GHOST IN MY HEAD
PRO ACTIVE RECORDS
Produced by: Higher Ground & Michael Rosman
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 80%
Keep an eye on these guys! A new AOR sensation coming out of Sweden, these guys have a great melodic edge but with new modern rock attitude.
A killer song that takes a little getting used to due to it's originality, but it does make the desired effect.
Can't wait for the album...

BONFIRE
FUEL TO THE FLAMES
BMG GERMANY 7432168183 2
Produced by: Bonfire
Released: OUT NOW /
RELATIVES: Fair Warning, Demon Drive GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 77%
I should have also featured this earlier, but alas too many other reviews at the one time. This is as solid as you could hope for or expect. One of the best Bonfire albums I have heard, plenty of songs and big hooks, choruses and melodies.
This is also pure European hard rock, so if you are from Europe or like that sound then this album would have to be considered for adding to your collection.
But a cover of Sweet Home Alabama was possibly a bad decision!

MVP
WINDOWS
Z Records ZR 1997021
Produced by: Michael Vescara
Released: OUT NOW /
Closest Relative: Yngwie
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 75%
I just wanted to mention this album briefly - it's now available (or has been for a few moths now) through Z Records UK, so no more import prices.
If you liked the last album, this is the one before that and is pretty much more of the same. a good thing obviously if you are a fan!
Plus Yngwie, Al Pitrelli and Doug Aldridge guest star...so if you are into loud guitars and lots of solo's, check it out!

MICHAEL MONROE
LIFE GETS YOU DIRTY
SPV 085-21522 CD
Produced by: Michael Monroe
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Himself!
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 80%
This is a great heavy rocking CD. This is a little Euro rock, a little glam, a little sleaze and a ton of attitude. As you would expect from any Monroe release, this has a lot of aggression wrapped up in it and also a dose of self examination.
This is his best CD release since the classic Not Fakin' It. The sound, production and songs are all better than the last couple of outings and Mike is more true to himself musically here.
Tracks like Jus Because You're paranoid, Since When Did You Care and the sensational Always Never Again have to be heard.
Essential for any fan of Mike's other work or other sleaze rock bands. For those who don't know the history - this is the guy people like Axel Rose and Bret Michaels copied their image and moves from.

REVIEWS
IN BRIEF - PAGE 7!