THE POODLES - review added 29th July 2009
Album Review: Clash Of The Elements (2009)
For fans of: Pomp Rock... and bands named after camp yet surprisingly hard dogs
The Poodles have previously released two other albums. 2006's Metal Will Stand Tall was a fabulous piece of work. With numerous memorable songs and plenty of originality it was one of the better albums of the year. The 2007 follow-up Sweet Trade fell a touch short of greatness but it was a fine album by most normal measures.
Now, with new guitarist Henrik Bergqvist replacing original axeman Pontus Norgren, the band are back for a third bite of the pomp rock cherry. Originally released by the band in spring 2009, Clash Of The Elements (as of summer 2009) finally gains a full label release. Playing alongside Henrik are Jakob Samuel on vocals, Christian Lundqvist on drums and Pontus Egberg on bass.
The production is similar to Sweet Trade and therefore lacks a few percentage points of depth. This is still a beautifully produced album by most standards and the edge of roughness gives it an honesty lacking in their cartoon-orientated debut. The construction of the songs covers the middle ground between the pomp of the first and the experimental explorations of the second. The heaviness is perfectly judged and every note of every song sounds as Poodles as an anagram of spooled.
Jakob Samuel's vocals remain as unique as ever. He really is an awesomely characterful singer with more skill than an entire series of America's Got Talent. He's up there with Åge Sten Nilsen (Wig Wam) as the best glam/pomp rock vocalist around. He could sing a eulogy at your parents' funeral and still bring a smile to your face. The rest of the musicianship is equally top notch; you'd be hard pressed to pick holes in any of the performances.
'Too Much Of Everything' kicks matters off. It's a vast track with a chorus the size of a mammoth's duffle coat. The contrast between it and the simplistic verses is excellent. The Queen-esque solo is short lived but well worth waiting for. 'Caroline' is a faster track with a speed-along catchy chorus and a bouncy vibe. It's a touch repetitive and the references to Facebook are MySpace smack of trend prostitution, but they are minor complaints.
I can't work out if 'One Out Of Ten' is really good or massively irritating. It's a song with a cool concept but it treads a fine line between between memorable brilliance and self-pitying whinge. There are no such doubts about 'I Rule The Night'. This is classic Poodles material with Millennium Falcon urge and a fantastically bright chorus. 'Sweet Enemy' is even better. It's a slow paced groover with a simply stunning sound. It's up there with the finest tracks The Poodles have ever recorded.
The pounding '7 Days And 7 Nights' then comes along and sets the bar ever higher. It has hints of Chinese Democracy G'N'R, whisper it, performed with a lot more passion, flare and musicianship. Takes the pee this won't sell anywhere near as many copies. 'Pilot Of The Storm' is a mid-tempo number with yet another chorus you could marry and live happily ever after with. The song as a whole is merely excellent rather than breathtaking but, if there's one thing The Poodles do well, it's choruses.
'Can't Let You Go' is a plodding ballad with nice hooks and heavier sections. It's nothing exceptional for this album but still better than most stuff you'll hear this year. Whilst 'Heart Of Gold' has hints of ballad, it's so much more than that. The chorus is insanely rocking and bird-of-paradise-beautiful at the same time. The guitar work is out of this world. Final Track 'Wings Of Destiny' is another slow number and probably the best of the bunch. It starts with a version of Charlie Chaplin's stirring speech from his 1940 film 'The Great Dictator' and morphs into something you'll come back to again and again.
Wow. Great album. It takes a few listens to get into but totally trounces the previous release. Is it better than the first album? That's open for debate at present but, in the long term, it may well grow into their best work to date. Buy this album now!
Check out... The final track. It really is very, very good. The rest of it ain't bad either...
Track List:
1. Too Much Of Everything
2. Caroline
3. Like No Tomorrow
4. One Out Of Ten
5. I Rule The Night
6. Give Me A Sign
7. Sweet Enemy
8. 7 Days And 7 Nights
9. Pilot Of The Storm
10. Can't Let You Go
11. Don't Rescue Me
12. Heart Of Gold
13. Dream To Follow
14. Wings Of Destiny
Label: Blistering Records
Artist's website(s): The Poodles , MySpace
