OUTLOUD - review added 18th July 2011
Album Review: Love Catastrophe (2011)
For fans of: Hard Rock
Outloud’s self-titled debut, released on Frontiers Records, came out a couple of years ago. Now with German label AOR Heaven, the Greek-rooted band return with their second effort.
Where the first album featured a couple of great songs, and was considerably better in the first half than the second, the happily titled "Love Catastrophe" is a much more balanced affair with consistently good tracks from start to finish. The songwriting has taken a leap forwards, as have the performances...especially vocalist Chandler Mogel who seems to be maturing into something rather special.
'We Came To Rock' is a rapid track with a retro charm. 'Falling Rain' is excellent, though it vaguely reminds me of Cutting Crew's 'Died In Your Arms Tonight'. 'Live Again' is a characterful effort with a heavy vibe. 'Waiting For Your Love' is one of the album's highlights and was unsurprisingly chosen as the album's first single/video. 'The Night That Never Ends' is another speedy song that's good and likeable without being utterly amazing.
'Someday' is a mostly stripped-back ballad with a real air of class. 'Underground' is an excellent rocking song that does a good job of getting the blood racing. 'Isolation Game' goes all Cher-style with warbly electro vocal effects. It's about one hundred times better than it should be. 'Clean Hands' may be a weird title for a rock song, but it's a fine effort. The title track closes the album. It's good but definitely not the best track here.
In Summation:
If you liked the first you'll love this one. If you haven't heard these guys before this'll do a fine job of letting you know what you've been missing.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. We Came To Rock
02. Falling Rain
03. Live Again
04. Waiting For Your Love
05. The Night That Never Ends
06. Someday
07. Underground
08. Isolation Game
09. Clean Hands
10. Love Catastrophe
Band/Performers:
Other Info:
Produced by Bob Katsionis
Mxed and mastered by Tommy Hansen.
Label: AOR Heaven
Artist's website(s): Outloud | MySpace | Facebook
