VARIOUS ARTISTS - review added 25th August 2009
Album Review: Voices Of Rock: High And Mighty (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and compilations
This is the second Voices Of Rock and follows 2007's appropriately titled Voices Of Rock MMVII. The concept is simple: take a load of beautifully performed, brilliantly produced records and get the world's best rock singers to lend their voices to them.
The first album featured such luminaries as Dan Reed, Robin Beck, Johnny Gioeli and Harry Hess. This follow-up takes a harder edge and ropes in, amongst others, Rob Rock, David Reece, Tony Martin, Paul Shortino, Tony Mills and everyone's favourite rent-a-voice Joe Lynn Turner.
The music itself is performed by Michael Voss (guitars), Chris Lausmann (bass, guitar and keyboards) and Bertram Engel (drums). Voss and Lausmann also produce the record and have done a spankingly good job.
Opening track 'Into the Light' features former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin screaming his heart out. His voice is utterly sensational, arguably the best on the album. The song has an average verse, a great chorus and the finest bridge I've heard this year. The song as a whole is well above average, if not outstanding, but that bridge is magical.
'Shame On You' isn't as good but still catchy by normal measures. 'Bert Heerink' has a fine voice but, after Tony Martin, his impact is as small as a termite's wallet. JLT's 'Tonight' sounds near-identical to the songs JLT normally sings on, although he does his best Steve Perry impression here. The chorus is memorable if a touch sickly, the remainder of the song is nice but anonymous. 'Rock Me', featuring the silky tones of Paul Shortino is a brash track with a sound like an artillery test in the Sydney Opera House. The final percentage of brilliance is missing, but it's an easy track to like.
Ballad 'Remember Me' seems like an odd track to give to the pipes of Rob Rock, but he turns in a surprisingly measured performance and sounds very, very special. He should sing in this controlled manner more often. Dare I say he sounds almost breathtaking. One time Van Halen vocalist Mitch Malloy takes the next spot with 'Lay You Down To Rest', a bubbling song that hits the spot in an understated fashion.
'In The Heart Of The Young' with Tony Mills (TNT) heads in a totally different direction. It's a bright modern track with a poppy AOR sound. I can't decide if I love or hate it, but at least it has a strong personality! David Reece's 'Dirty Games' has a good sleazy hard rocking sound but is only an average track. Nowt wrong with the performances; the song just isn't playing ball in the top league. 'Down The Drain' with the meaty sounding Paul Sabu is a heavy track with a drum beat you could use to knock down a military bunker. 'Only 4 Ever' with Torben Schmidt is a nice way to end the album proper. It's a mid paced smoochy number with a chilled sound.
There's a nice sound to this release and there's little to criticise in any of the performances. The problem is the songs themselves; they are the weak link and, without strong writing, no amount of world class vocalizing, sublime production or gifted musicianship is going to save the day. There's enough likeable material on the album to justify a purchase but, considering the best moment is the bridge in the first song, you'd be best saving your money for one of the recent individual releases by the singers featured here.
Check out... Tony Martin's singing. Brilliant.
Track List:
01. Tony Martin - Into the Light
02. Bert Heerink - Shame On You
03. Joe Lynn Turner – Tonight
04. Paul Shortino - Rock Me
05. Rob Rock - Remember Me
06. Mitch Malloy - Lay You Down To Rest
07. Tony Mills - In The Heart Of The Young
08. David Reece - Dirty Games
09. Paul Sabu - Down The Drain
10. Torben Schmidt - Only 4 Ever
11. Michael Voss - Maniac (bonus)
Label: Metal Heaven
Artist's website(s): MySpace
