ALBUM REVIEW: BETH HART + JOE BONAMASSA - DON'T EXPLAIN

L.A. singer Beth Hart is a true vocal gem. ‘Teaming-Up’ with Blues/Rock 'Guitar God' Joe Bonamassa on 'Don't Explain' (an intimate collection of 'heartfelt' hand-picked classic soul covers) showcases her rising to the occasion, with 'expressive' raspy soulful vocals in full frontal view. Produced by Black Country Communion guru Kevin Shirley and backed up by J.B.'s 'Ballad Of John Henry' Number 1 line-up its' a 'simmering' marriage. Highlights include corking renditions of Ray Charles' 'Sinner's Prayer', Bill Withers' 'For My Friend' and Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and 'Something's Got A Hold On Me' where the Hart/Bonamassa partnership blossoms. From the 'Heart' though it's the commercial appeal of Gil Scott-Heron's 'I'll Take Care Of You' and Delaney & Bonnie's 'Well Well that will take this unique 'Dream Team' to the mainstream of Rock!

Mark Crampton

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: MICHAEL SCHENKER - TEMPLE OF ROCK

Michael Schenker has boldly gone where man has not gone before. Not only has he enlisted a spoken intro from Star Trek's William Shatner but the guitar maestro is well oiled and ready to roll. Metal Mickey has enlisted the help of many friends from past and present. Originally started under the banner of 'Strangers In The Night' with former UFO band mate Pete Way, Michael Voss and former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell, as the work progressed many more names got involved including his brother Rudolf, Leslie West, Don Airey, Paul Raymond Etc. Retreating to a sound that can be found on the first two MSG albums it's full of deadly riffs from blistering opener 'How Long' to the classic hard rock of 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead' with Doogie White on vocals. A fluid front-frontal attack from the mad axeman!

Mark Taylor

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: DREAM THEATER - A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

Dream Theater's 11th ‘altar offering’ proves to be less ‘sacrificial’ than first thought after the departure of Mike Portnoy. ‘A Dramatic Turn Of Events’ demonstrates the unmistakable Rush/Yes inspired melodic technical proficiency that gives DT their ‘distinctive’ progressive edge. What’s different about this album is a sense of renewed vigour, lustre and warmth; maybe resulting from a different approach to musical direction previously untried and unseen? With Portnoy’s loss of what he had described as being ‘His Baby’, DT see a new contribution from Mike Mangini which is solid, sustained and highly proficient, but yet fluid enough to give them the potential to move towards a more melodic and thematic style. A new DT era has emerged which may see them break new unchartered territory in terms of audience, sound and musicianship!

Amanda Gentle

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: ALICE COOPER - WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE

Horror has long been one of the main elements flowing through the bloodstream of rock music. The main instigator of this infection is Alice Cooper, the godfather of OTT ghoulish shock-rock. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of his first solo album Cooper has now released what is touted as its follow-up, both in terms of the narrative carried by the songs and the musical personnel involved, notably producer Bob Ezrin. Like its earlier near namesake 'Welcome 2 My Nightmare' is a rich and diverse platter with an underlying story. Musical styles range from the Stonesy rock of 'I’ll Bite Your Face Off' to the Tom Waits inspired 'Last Man On Earth. Stand out tracks like opener 'I Am Made Of You' with its searing solo and the ballsy duet with Ke$ha 'What Baby Wants' make the point that AC is a timeless rock institution - the zombie make-up helps!

Colin Liddell

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: DEREK SHERINIAN - OCEANA

Glorious, vivacious prog-jazz/blues from Black Country Communion’s versatile keyboard-player. Derek Sherinian draws on his Dream Theater/Platypus past with his new solo album for a vigorous, virtuosic instrumental workout. Dubbed ‘The Caligula of the Keyboards’ by Alice Cooper, Sherinian’s pedigree sprawls across genres. As such, he has access to a bottomless pit of quality musicians to dip into for his solo projects, this time Toto’s guitarist Steve Lukather and drummer Simon Phillips sprinting elegantly alongside the likes of Tony MacAlpine and Doug Aldrich. Guitars squeal and moan with prodigious ease, particularly from BCC colleague, Joe Bonamassa, who dips in for the bluesy ‘I Heard That’. All the while, Sherinian demonstrates an unfeasible dexterity for all things organ-ic throughout an album that fizzes with unbridled, panoramic joy!

Pippa Lang

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: JON ANDERSON - SURVIVAL AND OTHER STORIES

Legendary Yes vocalist Jon Anderson survived a serious health scare in 2008 and upon recovery, found himself out of the band. Undeterred, he set about writing new material and (via the internet) collaborated with a range of musicians on a new set of songs. 'Survival & Other Stories' is uplifting and encompasses a variety of styles. 'Understanding Truth' and 'Effortlessly' both feature sparse acoustic arrangements whilst 'Incoming' and the re-recorded 'Just One Man' (a track originally recorded with Rick Wakeman) are more symphonic, echoing the sound of classic Yes. 'Unbroken Spirit' comes across as a personal statement whilst album closer 'Cloudz', is nothing less than an ambient masterpiece leaving the listener in no doubt that Jon's distinct alto-voice remains intact and as emotive as ever. A must have for all Yes fans!

Christopher Franklin

ROCK iKON Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW: JOHN WETTON - RAISED IN CAPTIVITY

British singer/songwriter John Wetton has treaded the boards with rock royalty and as such his sixth solo album is the latest gem in a crowning list of musical works. Written and recorded with former Yes multi-instrumentist Billy Sherwood, 'Raised In Captivity', features collaborations from numerous guest musicians: Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Eddie Jobson (UK), Mick Box (Uriah Heep), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Steve Morse (Deep Purple) and Asia partner Geoff Downes. Rocking album opener 'Lost For Words' hits the ground running while the title track and 'The Human Condition' both capture the angst and uncertainty that comes with modern life. Particularly poignant is the duet with Anneke Van Giersbergen on closer 'Mighty Rivers'. An impressive collection that truly sums up the elements that have shaped Wetton’s career!

Mark Crampton

ROCK iKON Magazine