NEXT! (1997)
Last Updated : 16/07/98
NEXT! (1997)
A good strong melodic rock album where the songwriting and meaning is the focus of the music.
1. Cuz of me : 8/10
A simple acoustic guitar rhythm starts off and from the detailed, well-produced sound , something tells you this is gonna ne a good song. Drums and bass enter to give a flow and more groove, and then you hear this gentle voice singing to perfect the collaboration of sounds. Vocalist, Paul Topete, sings with perfect melody and sincerity asking himself if it is his fault. Then comes the chorus and he turns it round to blame you, and the music reflects this by becoming slightly more aggressive. A great opener. Sort of cross between a rocker and a ballad.
2. The One : 8/10
"The One" begins with a keyboard intro, before rocking into a faster moving and punchy song, but still with a good melody. The chorus is slightly 'corny' with "girl" coming at the end of every sentence. Not an outstanding song and a bit repetitive too.
3. Need Back Your Love : 8/10
Another keyboard intro with a subtle guitar on top and even strings as well. The vocals enter, singing sweetly before more energy comes in with drums and bass. An electric guitar gives some more boost at parts, including the chorus which is catchy and melodic.
4. Stop Pushing My Love Away : 8/10
A very peaceful acoustic guitar starts off this track, and a light drum beat follows before a vocal melody. The chorus is fairly average, but the instrumental later on is a piece of artwork.
5. Father : 8.5/10
A great track. Yet another keyboard intro, once again melodic and sweet. The vocal line is such that it is hard not to want to sing along. The song is keyboard orientated rather than guitar which is a nice change, making it a full-on ballad. The piano works perfectly.
6. Reefer Madness : 8/10
"Reefer Madness" is the first track that strikes you immediately as a definite rocker as there is no quiet melodic intro. Instead, we get to her the sound of two spaced-out dudes getting high! A brilliant funky riff on an organ kicks in and then guitar takes over, but keeping it funky. The vocal line is less melodic than any others but quite enjoyable. The chorus is slightly annoying as it doesn't rhyme and is not particularly melodic but manages to be catchy. The guitar solo makes up for it, showing some great skill from Eric Beebe. By the time the verse returns for the second time it is time to end the song, but this happens eventually. At least it's something new but any more of these would put the record down.
7. Stalker : 8/10
"Stalker" is an atmospheric and heavy rocker with an interesting guitar accompaniment at the beginning of the verse. A few interesting effect on top too adding to the aural pleasure.
8. Time : 8/10
This is based primarily on a funkyish bass riff that carries on throughout a lot of the piece but effective sounds on top and a groovy drum beat mean that it isn't a problem. The vocals are long and spaced out, but meaningful and catchy.
9. America : 8/10
A great piece. It is a meaningful tribute to the country with a very catchy chorus. The verse is grooved by the bass, and an acoustic guitar follows throughout.
10. Best Friend : 8/10
Dramatic and quite rockin' song with a lovely piano and strings intro.
11. Break the Wayward Son : 8/10
Superb intro to this song and very dramatic where the production and mix shine. The vocal harmony at the chorus is tremendous, and catchy too.
12. Fight for Your Rights : 8/10
This track is a bit of an epic song and starts as a fast paced rocker with a strong string accompaniment through the verse. The chorus sees some cool guitar effects and a fierce lead vocal "Fight for Your Rights!". The guitar solo is impressive but there is an even better instrumental later on where the keyboard leads and the song mellows out. The vocals here are more laid back. This carries on and over a long time, gradually building up and then suddenly flinging into the original rocking song. Great songwriting.
13. MK - Naomi : 8/10
Sod knows what this title means, but after track 12 we get a break in the CD for several seconds and then in comes the first track again, "Cuz of Me" except that it's in bloody Spanish! This is it, an excellent feel-good way to end the album!
Overall, a brilliant effort. The NEXT one will be even better....
Game of Love (1992)
Game of Love (1992)
From looking at the front cover of this record, the picture of the band on the back cover and the name of this album, you would immediately assume it would be a typical hard rock long hair band, what I like to call "cock rock", especially seeing this album came out in 1992 when there was an abundance of them about. But, no, this is no cock rock album. Here we have a band that can truly play their instruments well and can put a bit more into a song than the average melodic rock band.
There are vocal harmonies throughout the album, little extra fill-ins from all of the band, slow bits and fast bits, loud bits and quiet bits. Each member of the band is an outstanding musician, but there are things that can be improved on this record.
I think the production and mix are the main elements. For my taste, the guitar needs to be umpffed up a tad, to give the music a bit more drive, and the vocals need to be toned down a touch. Some of the vocal harmonies, although often effective, sound a bit 'coarse' and rather ruin parts of the songs. The choruses of the songs are often a bit patchy. Most are catchy, but not necessarily in a good way!
Still, there is always so much happening at once in the music, and it all fits together tremendously. Although the songwriting is a bit amateur in style, I'm sure with a better production the record would be more energetic and I'm sure these songs would kick ass live!
1. She's a Girl : 8/10
The album starts off with a glorious keyboard intro with electric guitar playing a melody on top, and then the rhythm section introduces a beat and a fast riff kicks into the song. Unfortunately, the guitar is not up-front enough to make it rock like it could do, and the vocals are far too prominent. The vocal harmony is quite odd, as is the echo at the chorus. The keyboard solo is damn impressive. Not a great track, but I do like the great lyrics "sex is what I want from you.."!
2. Yes/No : 8/10
An odd rhythmic organ intro which the guitar joins in on. The verse for this song is great with a cool keyboard playing broken chords on the top of the main section, but the chorus is not up to a lot. Average song, with an impressive guitar solo this time.
3. Just Do Me : 7.5/10
A bit funky and more energetic than the first two tracks. Still the keyboard is quite dominant which is good. In the chorus there are some synthesised brass effects that do the funk and the guitar playing is superb.
4. Tonight : 8/10
Starting off with a brilliant funky bass line and a hideous guffaw from a hairy chested barbarian that sets the scene (not your usual night, eh?). The song is glorious in all the instruments playing, particularly percussion which is very impressive here. A sweet chorus, but this song's a rocker!
5. The Way That I Do : 8.5/10
A gentle acoustic ballad with a lovely percussive beat and strings in the background to add to the atmosphere. The vocals are perfect, very emotional, and the chorus is sweet as ever.
6. Game of Love : 8/10
The title track of the album is a respectable song, with an element of funk in it once again, that makes you move to the groove. The guitar intro is a highlight as is the instrumental where the keyboard rips it rock'n'roll style! Chorus is a bit non-special.
7. Stole My Heart : 8/10
As melodious as it could be, this song is hard to get out of your head. The chorus is of course catchy.
8. You don't Need Me any More : 7.5/10
A mid-rocker with, once again, great melodies throughout and a better vocal line, I find, than with others on this album. The guitar solo is outstanding, and backed with keyboards and drums. The chorus, however, is a bit dull.
9. Only One : 8/10
Perfect keyboard intro leading to a more rockin' guitar riff, but once again the chorus isn't up to a lot.
10. Girl : 8/10
The chorus here is okay, the riff during the verse rips and the vocal line is tight and melodic. Not bad.
11. Been so Long : 8/10
A lovely ballad, keyboard led at the beginning and a perfect vocal line in the verse.
12. You Can See (Christine) : 8/10
Starting off with a full-on instrumental as they should be, with various melodies and rhythms from all departments yet kept rocking until the song begins. Vocals aren't amazing, but the instruments are still kept very busy and keep the song alive for its full length of nearly 7 minutes. A great way to top up the album.
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