CHRIS LANEY - review added 25th March 2009
Album Review: Pure (2009)
For fans of: hard rock... and the occasional dabblings with pomp and sleaze
Pure is the first solo album by Swedish musician/producer Chris Laney. Chris has worked with numerous top acts during his career including Europe, Candlemass, Bruce Kulick and more. On Pure, the tables are turned and the stars are now working with him. The cast list is long, but highlights include Vic Zino (Hardcore Superstar) and Mats Levén (Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen).
Aside from the guests, J. Koleberg and Nalle Pahlsson provide the drums and bass respectively. Chris Laney handles all lead vocals and the majority of the guitar parts.
The sound of Pure is, for want of a better description, a right old mix. There's a spine of hard rock running from start to finish, but the ribs that flesh it out vary from thrash to pomp, from bouncy 80's hair metal to ballads and heavy pop. The result is remarkably rich in flow given the eclectic mix of sounds. Rather than coming across as confusing, the music remains fresh throughout.
Opening song 'Situation' has a spanking lead riff and a decidedly pleasant yet sleazy chorus. The style is left of centre... but sometimes that's a good thing. 'Make You Cry' shoots out of the blocks with a very heavy guitar assault, then morphs into a pacy if loud rocker. The soloing in the middle, courtesy of Rob Love and John Saphyre is especially noteworthy.
'I Hate Yer Guts' has something of a punk vibe going on. It's wrapped in a protective coat of funky overblown pop-rock, but the man-choir sing along chorus is enjoyably rough. I suspect it'd get everyone shouting in unison at the local pub as it reached the crescendo. 'Get You Down', featuring Anders Ringman on guitars and backing vocals has a wonderfully heavy yet chilled sound. Again, the chorus is memorable, and the song itself is one of the finest on the album. It has an aroma of vintage Def Leppard... and that's a very good thing.
'Make My Day' throbs like a thumb that's been hit by a hammer. Another slow brooding track, Chris Laney sounds decidedly slutty. Where 'Get You Down' was Def Leppard, this is Alice Cooper all the way. 'Last Man Standing', however, doesn't put Chris' vocal capabilities in the best light - he sounds scratchy - but it's an infectious song and, in retrospect, the mildly iffy singing adds character. The chorus is huge fun and will glue itself in your mind. 'Skin On Skin', continuing the theme of top-end influence, sounds like Queen having a fight with The Darkness. It's all jolly pompous and loveable.
Pure is an intriguing album. Chris Laney's vocals are an acquired taste but, with time, they get under your epidermis. He brings a dirty panache to the album that might otherwise be missing, and the way he ranges between smooth and gravelly singing is impressive. The musicianship, however, is all thoroughly excellent and a definite high point. Then again... the writing is even better. Edgy and fun, most of the songs have a memorable nature and will have you coming back for more. Overall, Pure rates as one of the best albums so far this year.
Check out... 'Pissed At What Ya Missed'. Good fun song!
Track List:
1. Situation
2. I Dunno
3. Make You Cry
4. The Stranger In You
5. Fire And Ice
6. I Hate Yer Guts
7. Get U Down
8. Pissed At What Ya Missed
9. Make My Day
10. Last Man Standing
11. Skin On Skin
12. Bride B4 The Fall
Label: Metal Heaven
Artist's website(s): Chris Laney , MySpace
