WHITESNAKE - review added 17th March 2011
Album Review: Forevermore (2011)
For fans of: Hard Blues Rock... and the music being better than the artwork
1977 vintage UK-formed band Whitesnake have had an ever changing line-up over the years. For their eleventh studio release "Forevermore", founder member David Coverdale and long-termers Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach are joined by Michael Devin on bass and Brian Tichy on drums. It isn't 100% clear who the keyboard player is at present, but all should become apparent in due course.
"Forevermore" was recorded, produced and mixed by Coverdale, guitarist Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre (not the comedian) at Snakebyte Studios and Grumblenott Studios & Villas in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, with additional work at Casa Dala, Sherman Oaks, California.
The sound really harks back to the music this band was creating before their huge "1987" album. This is a hard rocking release with a modern production, but there is an overwhelming feel of blues woven into the fabric of the playing. The guitar work is stunning, as is the entire rhythm section. Coverdale is in superb form, clearly not as good as a few decades back, but given the hammering his voice has received over the years, the fact he still sounds this good is cause for celebration.
Song wise, opener 'Steal Your Heart Away' is a speedy number with a catchy blues hook. It's a lively start to the album and does a fine job of catching the listener's attention. 'All Out Of Luck' is a catchy if unexceptional effort as a whole, though the solo is off-the-scale brilliant. 'Love Will Set You Free' was chosen as the album's first song to become a video, and it's no wonder. It's a big memorable heavy blues piece with a monster sing along chorus. It's easy to imagine this staying in the Whitesnake live set for years to come. 'Easier Said Than Done' is the first ballad, and the slow-paced style is magical. Superb stuff.
'Tell Me How' borrows the lead riff from 'Still Of The Night' about two thirds of the way through, but it's a good song as a whole so we'll let it off. 'I Need You (Shine A Light)' has some decidedly ropey lyrics, but it's a decently catchy track overall. 'One Of These Days' is an acoustic-led track with a ring of The Eagles' 'Take It Easy' about it. Nice song, bit a tad lost on this rocking album. 'Love And Treat Me Right' get's things back on track. It's a heavy hitter with some great riffs and a combat-spec rhythmic vibe. The adrenaline-licious 'Dogs In The Street' harks to late 1980s Whitesnake with aplomb. If someone told you it was a discarded track from "Slip Of The Tongue" you'd believe them.
'Fare Thee Well' is another acoustic piece, but much better than the first. It's a classy effort and shows not every song needs big guitars and drums to be memorable. 'Whipping Boy Blues' is a big Zeppelin inspired track with a great sound. 'My Evil Ways' starts with Brian Tichy unleashing some beastly drums. The rest of the song is a slight let down, but it's certainly got plenty of energy. Closing the album, the title track is an epic beast of a track with a huge ambience, stunning guitars and a measured yet spine tingling vocal. It takes a while to get going but is totally worth the wait.
In Summation:
Definitely Whitesnake's best album since the 1980's, "Forevermore" is bordering on superb. It took a lot of listens to get into, but there's no doubt its worth the effort. Buy it. Love it.
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Track List:
01. Steal Your Heart Away
02. All Out Of Luck
03. Love Will Set You Free
04. Easier Said Than Done
05. Tell Me How
06. I Need You (Shine A Light)
07. One Of These Days
08. Love And Treat Me Right
09. Dogs In The Street
10. Fare Thee Well
11. Whipping Boy Blues
12. My Evil Ways
13. Forevermore
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Whitesnake | MySpace | Facebook
