SUNSTORM - review added 8th April 2009
Album Review: House Of Dreams (2009)
For fans of: hard rock... and melodies you could spend the rest of your life with.
This is the 2nd album released under the Sunstorm banner. The first, released in 2006, was utterly brilliant. It lost a few marks for not being entirely original (a few of the songs were covers of tracks by artists like Van Stephenson) but the overall effect was of a cohesive, breathtakingly good album.
House Of Dreams therefore has a lot to live up to. The major players are still mostly the same - Joe Lynn Turner (vocals), Dennis Ward (Bass and backing vocals), Uwe Reitenauer (guitars) and Chris Schmidt (drums). Jochen Weyer has been replaced by Gunter Werno on keyboards.
The writing methodology is similar to the eponymous debut too. some of the songs are dug from the archives, some are written by star turns like Jim Peterik and Tom and James Martin. The production is, again, by 'golden sliders' himself, Dennis Ward.
Opening track 'Divided' has that classic Sunstorm sound - overrun with melodic guitars and keys yet with an underlying hint of heaviness in the bass and percussion. The song is close to perfection but consequently lacks character. 'Don't Give Up' suffers no such injustice. It's a surprisingly fast paced ballad with a melancholy air, although not an overwhelming one. Somehow the end result is punchier regardless.
'The Spirit Inside' has a statuesque, sparkling chorus you could fall in love with. The body of the song is pleasant but the chorus is something else. The soloing deserves special mention for giving the track an added ounce of life. 'I Found Love' is a storming track, again with a massive chorus but this time full of energy and bounce - so much so you get the impression the song was performed after excessive consumption of Red Bull.
'Say You Will' is the album's first 'big' ballad. Unsurprisingly (and you'll know what I mean when you hear it) this is a definite Jim Peterik number. It teeters on a precipice of absolute beauty, theatrical stage performance and mild but wonderful cliché. On balance it's a song you'll get more and more into every time you hear it. The part where the track changes key about two thirds through is especially breathtaking.
'Gutters Of Gold', another Peterik track, is a real 'fight or flight' song with urgent drums and a moody and fun chorus. 'Save A Place In Your Heart', featuring Paul Sabo in the writing credits, is a bright happy sounding song. Okay, if you study the lyrics in detail you'll want to slit your wrists, but the actual vibe of the song is spunky and smile-inducingly pleasant. 'Forever Now' is cast from the same mould as the previous track. It's another melodious poppy rock track with Queen-style guitar riffery and an upbeat tempo.
'Tears On The Pages' is the album's only letdown for me. It's a 'reworking' of the version from the first Khymera album, but in reality the only major change is the front man. Yes, Joe Lynn Turner's vocals are technically a lot better than Steve Walsh's, but S.W. brought a bag full of character to the track which has vanished in this newer effort. I suspect this will be one of those tracks that splits opinion down the middle!
The title track to House Of Dreams is only a flea's tallywacker width away from all time greatness. It's a brilliant song with a fantastic chorus and the ability to grab hold of the listener's emotions. It would easily be the finest track on the album were it not for the final song. 'Walk On'. Originally written by Joe Lynn Turner and Desmond Child for a Jimmy Barnes album in the late 80's, the song suits JLT's silky vocal style down to the ground and is somewhere on the south side of stunning. Definitely an instant 'Mix Tapes' track.
Whilst this Sunstorm release isn't as good as the first, It's still far enough above average to hold it's head high. The last two songs especially deserve maximum credit.
Check out... 'Walk On'. Undoubtedly one of the front runners for ballad of the year.
Track List:
01. Divided
02. Don't Give Up
03. The Spirit Inside
04. I Found Love
05. Say You Will
06. Gutters Of Gold
07. Save A Place In Your Heart
08. Forever Now
09. Tears On The Pages
10. House Of Dreams
11. Walk On
Label: Frontiers Records
