MARK SWEENEY - review added 13th May 2010
Album Review: All In (2010)
For fans of: Rock... and poker references
All In is Swiss singer Mark Sweeney's 2nd solo release. He's better known as a band front man, having performed with groups like Stayn, cover band Cherry Pie, and most famously Crystal Ball who released 3 albums on Nuclear Blast, and toured with the likes of Pretty Maids, Dokken, U.D.O., Axxis and more.
The new album follows his first release Slow Food, and features a few big guests including Bruce Kulick (who adds a guitar solo in ‘Too Late’), and Robin Beck who duets on 'Moments'. Best of all though is the inclusion of young German singer 'Pearl' who duets on ‘Leave It All Behind’. She really does sound phenomenal.
And that leads me onto the problem with this album. Mark's vocals are nice enough in isolation, but put him next to a big hitter and he sounds understated and apologetic. Next to the frankly amazing Pearl, and the equally awesome Robin Beck, Mark sounds as timid as a bunny caught in car headlights. For me his voice isn't that 'rock'. He's definitely more of a pop vocalist.
Sound-and-song-wise, the album varies in quality. The music itself ranges in heaviness from ass-kicking hard rock all the way down to the weightier end of pop. It's a pleasant mix of sounds and keeps the album fresh as it progresses. The songs are mostly great. They are well composed and progress from one to another with aplomb. The problems all come down to the vocals. As I say, Mark hasn't got a bad voice as such, it's all about the 'fit'; his style - to my ears - doesn't work with this music.
Shame. If Pearl had sung the entire album, it could have been stunning.
Check out... Pearl singing on ‘Leave It All Behind’.
Track List:
01 - Line Of Fire
02 - Why Do You Hate Me
03 - Still Alive
04 - Gimme A Sign
05 - Leave It All Behind
06 - Sinner
07 - Another Day
08 - Stare At The Sun
09 - Too Late
10 - Moments
11 - Chance
12 - Demons
Artist's website(s): Mark Sweeney
