MICKEY
THOMAS - Over
The Edge
Mickey Thomas: Voice
Kenny Wilkerson: Bass
Biggs Brice: Drums
Rob Vanni, JM Scattolin, Neal Schon,
Richie Kotzen, Steve Lukather: Solo guitars
Here's a great album! Melodic HardRock very well written, very well played... Mickey Thomas ,former lead singer for The Jefferson Starship, is the voice behind this effort, with such great guitarists as Neal Schon, Richie Kotzen and Steve Lukather.
Over The Edge is the title track and is a classic in AOR. Great hooks, great sounds and a classic arrangement for this good opener. The start sounds very good... =)
One World starts with a delayed clean guitar introducin' us into a moody piece... It's time for the first ballad, again the attention has been put on melody and memorable hooks. The song was written by Neal Schon of Journey and Jack Blades, the bassist behind Night Ranger success.Two men who surely know how to write a good song. You'll have the strong impression that there's not a note where it should not be, with musicians and an arrangement built for servin' the song.
Thief grab your attention right from the start. If Avril Lavigne was gonna sing this song, with the exposure she gets, this would be an instant hit.
Surrender was written again by Schon and Blades and is another rockin' one. Neal Schon takes a guest solo on this one: Tremolo pickin' and his usual tasty essential lines. The rhythm guitar playin' triads is reminiscent of Van Halen.
Eyes Wide Open was written by Jonathan Cain (of Journey too) and is another ballad, a very sad intro sets the right mood for Thomas' voice. One of the best song of the album, with a soulful chorus. If you love big ballads with clean guitars that turn into chrunchy beasts poundin' a groovy rhythm, this song could be your favourite out of the lot. Another good solo, played with melody and simplicity in mind. The album is direct, very direct.
Forest For The Trees has a Van Halen-ish intro played with fingers. The bass takes most of the duties during the verses. Highly ear-catchin' pre chorus which leads us into another EXTREMELY well written chorus. The guys behin this project have an unfair talent... I wish that everybody in the industry today had their class.
Guitar takes some cool fills durin' the verses, with a Steve Vai-whammy bar frenzy approach... Luke takes the solo with his usual energy and a heavy abuse of whammy bar and a wha.
The Man In Between continues in the same line of melodic hard rock, with interesting vocal lines. Again every instrument plays a part which just fits perfectly the song, without overplayin' phenomena and givin' the possibility to the song to fully breathe. The solo is played by Richie Kotzen, who gives his personal touch to the song. Melody, melody, melody.
Cover Me is another masterpiece. The truth is this album is nearly annoying if you're a musician... You could wonder how it's possible to write one great song after the other ... No weak moments on the cd... =) There's a whole lot to learn from this album. Beautiful solo, one of the best of the album.
Glory Day closes the album with more mood. More hooks.
If you miss the good old days when rock albums were extremely well written,
when image wasn't all you'd expect
from an artist and songs were real songs, this album could be your best
purchase for 2004.
To me this album is a classic, with energy, memorable melodies with
hooks that will forever remain carved into your brain. The musicians
do a great job , providin' the perfect backin' for Mickey Thomas , who
has one of those classic voices you don't hear no more into today's
-so-called-rock-music. Enough of Limp Bizkit or Linkin' park?
Try Over The Edge. Sit down on your sofa and enjoy it fully.
Rating: 10
(reviewed by Max)