MORITZ - review added 28th January 2011
Album Review: Undivided (2011)
For fans of: Classic Rock... and a certain retro charm
The name makes it sound like this band hails from Germany, but in reality Moritz was formed in London, UK in 1986 by members of Icemon, Spitfire and LA Secrets. Splitting in 1988, the guys went on variously to be part of excellent AOR band If Only, and heavy metallers Samson.
The band returned 20 years later in 2008 with the "City Streets" LP on the Harmony Factory label. The album was made up of the "Shadows of a Dream" EP and some unreleased recordings...so it wasn't new as such.
"Undivided", on the other hand, is very much a blank-canvas album. Released by the band in 2010, and now with a formal label release in early 2011, the disc marks the band's first all new material since the 1980s.
The sound keeps it's roots back near the band's beginnings. Moritz could have gone through any number of revolutions into some sort of modern rock sellout, but instead they have stuck to doing what they do best - making classic rock in the vein of Boston and Toto, with the odd hint of vintage Whitesnake and Journey thrown in.
Good:
Considering this band disappeared for so long, they still sound remarkably good together. Few of the performances are off-the-scale, but the band as a whole is beautifully balanced and the music is surprisingly contagious. In fact if someone told you these songs had charted in the late 1970s, you'd believe them. For rock fans who tire of modern music and up-to-date crisp production...and for those who crave albums with a ton of character...there is a load to love here.
Not So Good:
If you like your music to be utterly contemporary, this won't be for you. This is definitely an album for old farts and lovers of old farts' music - i.e. people with good taste :) The album cover is rubbish. Is this seriously the best they could do? I'd happily design one for free for them if it meant not having to see such a basic uninspiring design. It really does not do the music justice. Not even slightly.
The Songs:
Opener 'Power Of The Music' is very (even by the band's own admission) Boston-esque, without resorting to copycat tactics. The title track is exceedingly retro-cool. 'Should've Been Gone' is 1980s rock ballad through and through. 'Who Do You Run To' is a mid tempo rocker that's decent enough but a tad uninspiring. 'Can't Stop The Angels' is better, and is something of a Journey-a-like slower number. 'Same But Different' is much more boisterous, boasting a heavy bassline and big chorus.
'Any Time At All' takes a time to get going, but has a cool chorus. 'Without Love' is a lively affair. 'Never Together' feels like it's going to become something massive, but never quite gets there. Good track though. 'Lonely Without You' is, as the title may suggest, a slower track with a vaguely depressing feel. 'Can't Get Away' is much more uplifting and has a big vibe. Final track 'World Keep Turning' has some nice guitar work, but is otherwise not that memorable.
In Summation:
There are some great tracks here, and maybe a few almost-fillers in between. Not a problem though, because this is an absolute cracker as a whole. If "Undivided" had been released 30 years back the band would be multi-millionaires. Classic rock doesn't get much better than this these days.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Check out... All of it if you like traveling the Classic Rock road.
Track List:
01. Power Of The Music
02. Undivided
03. Should've Been Gone
04. Who Do You Run To
05. Can't Stop The Angels
06. Same But Different
07. Any Time At All
08. Without Love
09. Never Together
10. Lonely Without You
11. Can't Get Away
12. World Keep Turning
Label: Avenue Of Allies
Artist's website(s): MySpace | Facebook
