Page 32 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 108

BV108 albums pg 32.qxp_BV108 pg 32 13/06/2023 22:32 Page 1

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play in unison with the voice has matured and dition, its emotional mes- Away' shows another side
band and, together, they deepened naturally over sage about war ringing true to the band with a slice of
take the songs to a higher the years, so the songs are today more than ever. acoustic-based folk rock,
level; the instrumental sec- played in a different key to Listening to these new and closing track 'Drink'
tion of 'Paper Sun' is so suit his current vocal style, versions of the songs has attitude and a rock 'n'
good you wonder why they and, for the majority of the brings back lots of great roll barroom swagger.
never did it originally. But, songs, this works really memories if you were a fan Overall, this is an im-
where the record excels well, and you can hear back in the day, and really pressive collection of di-
the most, is when the every word clearly as he underlines just what a su- verse, but powerful, classic
Royal Philharmonic Or- enunciates them more perb band White Lion were rock.
chestra play the songs in carefully too. The produc- and it's tragic that their ca- YYYY
DEF LEPPARD place of the band and then tion on the album is excel- reer was cut short, like so Ian Trigg
DRASTIC SYMPHONIES Def Leppard come in to lent, as it gives the songs a many other bands of that
(UNIVERSAL UMC) back them up, which much more meaty and time, due to the advent of
Orchestral albums are makes 'Too Late For Love', powerful feel than the grunge. They were a crimi-
always going to be a divi- 'When Love and Hate Col- somewhat lacking produc- nally underrated band, and
sive subject which some lide' and 'Love Bites', jaw- tion of over 30 years ago. hopefully, this release will
will love and equal num- droppingly, goosebump- The album kicks off give them some more
bers won't and, opinions on inducingly stunning and with 'Lady Of The Valley', much-needed attention.
them will ultimately boil 'Gods Of War' sounds bet- one of the heaviest and up- Mike and Marcus are due
down to the individual. But ter than it ever has in four tempo numbers on offer to tour the UK in August to
there is no denying they decades, in hindsight, this here and this is a tremen- support the album so go
are here to stay and for song was made for this dous version, possibly and support them as the
many of rock's greats, they performance of it. While even better than the origi- songs are done justice
are becoming an increas- 'Drastic Symphonies' isn't nal. A special mention too once again. LACEY
ingly frequent sign of their going to change anyone's for guitarist Marcus Nand, YYYYY THIS IS ALL WE ARE
own immortality. The latest opinion of Def Leppard or who previously played gui- Ian Trigg (LACEY)
to step up to the challenge albums of this kind, this is tar in Freak Of Nature on Lockdown may have
are UK rock legends Def truly a work of art and, for their second tour and does GARDNER JAMES been a tough time for
Leppard and they have fans of either the band or an outstanding job here of NO STRINGS many, but it was also a time
certainly gone all-in with orchestral rock albums, this recreating Vito Bratta's (PAVEMENT ENTERTAIN- when magic happened be-
'Drastic Symphonies' by is an essential listen. solos throughout the album MENT) hind closed doors. ‘This Is
teaming up with the Royal YYYYY almost note-for-note, which Rock duo Janet Gard- All We Are’ is Nottingham
Philharmonic Orchestra to Michael Coventry really takes the songs up to ner, ex-Vixen vocalist, and rock four-piece Lacey’s
bring fans 16 songs from another level. her partner, guitarist Justin new 14-track opus, and
their extensive back cata- The 1989 classic hit James, are back with their these guys just keep get-
logue in a new fashion. Al- 'Little Fighter' is a poppier, new album, 'No Strings', ting better.
bums such as this always more commercial track but the follow-up to their 2020 While ‘3AM Sonata’ is
raise questions prior to is given lots more oomph release, 'Synergy'. an atmospheric opener,
their release. Will the here, as is the following 'I'm Living Free' kicks ‘Run Away’ stops you in
songs simply be ballads track, the uplifting 'Broken the album off in mighty fine your tracks and highlights
performed acoustically, will Heart'. The songs are full of style; it's a powerful an- the band as real con-
they be heavier songs per- the trademarks which them with a blues rock tenders to take over the UK
formed acoustically, will made the band so memo- vibe, a majestic statement rock scene. ‘Dream In A Lit-
they be the same as al- rable: hard-hitting guitar of intent. 'Turn The Page' tle Less Colour’, co-written
ways but with an orchestra riffs and heavy grooves, follows, an upbeat, heavy with James Veck-Gilodi of
in the background, will the MIKE TRAMP tempered with catchy rocker, with some melodic Deaf Havana, is a radio-
tracks be completely re- SONGS OF WHITE LION hooks and sing-along cho- guitar soloing, courtesy of friendly gem and there’s no
imagined, or will they (FRONTIERS) ruses, and embellished Justin. '85' is another 80s- wonder it was picked as a
sound largely the same as It's been 32 years with the furious but tasteful, style rocker but a bit more single. ‘Middle England’, in
they were originally? And since the original White Eddie Van Halen-influ- poppy. The production val- the middle of the album, is
the answer here is all of the Lion band split up and enced, guitar solos pro- ues really add something a lighters-in-the-air ballad –
above. Fortunately, the lat- frontman Mike Tramp has duced by Bratta. These are to the songs, making them a real epic and precious
ter category is very thin on had a pretty successful ca- most evidenced on tracks sound modern but also stunner. Graz’s vocals
the ground and it's only the reer since, both solo and such as 'Hungry', 'Tell Me', with a hint of 80s nostalgia, begin quite softly in ‘Easy
classic 'Bringin' On The with his band Freak Of Na- the feelgood anthem 'Liv- which is what fans of this Way Out’ (and other
Heartbreak' which, surpris- ture, plus a brief revival of ing On The Edge' and the genre truly appreciate. tracks), but the lyrics reveal
ingly, doesn't seem to ben- White Lion called Tramp's mega-smash 'Wait'. Janet's voice has ma- a strong beating pulse un-
efit too much from the White Lion, due to Tramp For the majority of the tured over the years and derneath that demands at-
orchestra's presence, but being the only original songs, Mike Tramp has has developed a slight tention. It has a dancey,
the remaining 15 tracks all member in that lineup. So stuck to the original ar- rasp, which is shown off at pop sensibility, but with
do in their own way. The now, he has decided to rangements and styles, but its best on slower songs solid rock undertones.
ideas vary. Songs like look back fondly on his a few of them have been like the title track 'No Bands like Matchbox
'Pour Some Sugar On Me' time as part of the hard changed slightly, such as Strings', 'Hold On To You', Twenty or Goo Goo Dolls
and 'Animal' are completely rock outfit he co-founded in on 'Love Don’t Come Easy' the softest song on the would be impressed by
ripped up and presented in 1983 with the exceptionally and 'All The Fallen Men', album but nevertheless still ‘You Can’t Compete With
a new, fresh way and there talented guitarist Vito and this seems to be for stunning, and 'Don't Turn History’. Lacey can defi-
is no denying the utter ge- Bratta. The band went on the better, most notably on Me Away', which starts off nitely compete with arena
nius that has gone into this to release four albums dur- 'Going Home Tonight' and acoustically but builds up to rock bands.
and the level of musical ing the late 80s and early 'Cry For Freedom', the lat- a heavy, forceful, second The final song of the
artistry on display. Songs 90s, including the double ter song being the biggest half. More heavy songs in- album, the title track, ‘This
such as 'Hysteria', 'Switch platinum-selling 'Pride', standout in this collection, cluded are 'Set Me Free', Is All We Are’, has a tone
625', 'Have You Ever which spawned two mas- with its hard-hitting lyrics 'Into The Night', featuring that heads straight for your
Needed Someone So Bad' sive hit singles, 'Wait' and and melodic chorus. more spectacular soloing heart (and an orchestral
and 'Paper Sun', the latter 'When The Children Cry'. The album finishes from Justin, and 'I'm Not ending). Graz sings about
being a particularly deep Tramp has decided with White Lion's most pop- Sorry', opening with a riff running out of time – but
cut to appear on the that the time is right to re- ular hit 'When The Children which is reminiscent of Def we have all the time in the
record, which will be wel- visit and re-record all their Cry', played here on piano Leppard's 'Photograph' and world for these guys.
comed by long-time fans, hits, along with a few fan rather than acoustic guitar, also features a great, YYYYY
simply see the orchestra favourites. Obviously, his and is a truly beautiful ren- catchy chorus. 'She Floats Shari Black Velvet

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