HARDLINE - review added 31st March 2009
Album Review: Leaving The End Open (2009)
For fans of: hard rock... and the ballad of the year... possibly
The story of Hardline is well known in melodic/hard rock circles. The band originally consisted of Johnny and Joey Gioeli, Todd Jenson, Dean Castronovo and Neal Schon. Their first album, Double Eclipse, is still widely regarded as one of the finest releases from the end of the hair rock era (although describing the sound as hair rock undersells it).
Second album II, with only the Gioeli brothers remaining from the original line-up, was good but not up to the heavenly-high standards set by the first release.
Leaving The End Open, Hardline's third studio album, therefore has a good if checkered history to uphold. Is it better than II? Yes. Better than Double Eclipse? We shall see...
The band this time round consists of Johnny Gioeli (vocals), Josh Ramos (guitars), Michael T. Ross (keyboards), Jamie Brown (bass) and Atma Anur (drums). Johnny's brother Joey was unavailable during the writing and recording of the album. The sound is certainly updated and refreshed from their previous release. The Hardline cues are there, but they are modernised and softened. The end result is 10% Double Eclipse, 15% II, 65% all new... and 10% made-up statistics.
Opening track 'Voices' is a nice way to ease into the album. It isn't a grab you by the throat song, but the chilled vibe will surreptitiously worm its way into your subconscious. 'Start Again', on the other hand, is sublime. It isn't a track that gives up it's secrets straight away. It's a song you need to hear again and again to get the best of, but eventually it will click. For some people, I can see this being the favourite entry on the album.
'Bittersweet' is a phenomenal track from the off. It's one of the most stunning songs I've heard this year and amongst the best Hardline songs ever. It's up there with 'In The Hands Of Time', and maybe just a whisker behind 'I'll Be There'. 'Bittersweet' is a deep and meaningful number with lyrics you could lose yourself in for days. The album's other big ballad, 'In This Moment' is, yet again, a beautiful song. It isn't quite up there with the best, but it's a lovely song by any normal standard.
'Give In To This Love', although titled like another slow and sultry track, is actually a beast of a rocker. The opening riff is very heavy, and the fantastical chorus structure is hugely inspiring. There's a strong feel of Hardline of old in this song, but the result is still undeniably contemporary. 'Before This' is a pleasant upbeat track with an unusual tempo. It's almost like a kids' pop song made all grown-up and clever. It offers an interesting angle and a refreshing change from the standard rock/ballad approach generally found on these albums.
The final track, also the title track, is nice enough. It isn't the strongest on the album, but isn't without its merits. There's a sentimental vein running through it's heart and, although it isn't really a ballad as such, it's a slow purposeful track with a fistful of attractive melodies.
Leaving The End Open is a mellower album than previous Hardline releases. In places it almost becomes chill out rock. For some people this will be a huge disappointment and enough to put them off, but for those who like a bit of smooth with their rough there's plenty to indulge the listener. Johnny's vocals sound wonderful and the musicianship is tantamount to faultless. The production is stunning too. You really can hear every note by every instrument at every single moment.
Ultimately the album doesn't boast the start to finish consistency of an absolute classic but it's so close it can smell the cheese. There are several huge songs, but you'll need to give the album plenty of listens to get the best from the deeper moments. The good news is it's worth the effort. In raw terms, Leaving The End Open isn't as good as Double Eclipse, but as a standalone experience it's bloody breathtaking.
Check out... 'Bittersweet', obviously.
Track List:
01. Voices
02. Falling Free
03. Start Again
04. Pieces Of Puzzles
05. Bittersweet
06. She Sleeps In Madness
07. In This Moment
08. Give In To This Love
09. Before This
10. Hole In My Head
11. Leaving The End Open
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's websites: MySpace
