Formed in ’87 by ex-Angel keyboard whizz, Gregg Giuffria, the band instantly signed to Gene Simmons’ label. By the time this album was released in ’92, the writing was on the wall – grunge had taken a hold and well crafted and well written melodic rock songs were deemed surplus to requirements, and they would disband a year later. It’s a shame as this record had a big budget, and you can tell, as the production is top drawer. They also had division 1 drummer for hire, Tommy Aldridge to lay down those heavy grooves.
Melody and hooks are the order of the day here, and opener O Father shows that to the max. Second track in and the big production title track blows the cobwebs right off. It has an epic feel with a great vocal and big production. Next up it’s ballad central, and this is one of the reasons bands like this failed in the nineties. What’s Forever For and Spirit Of Love on Side 1 are decent enough songs, but fans wanted that harder edge – they had enough of all these syrupy ballads. Sandwiched in between is Talkin’ Bout Love, which is really great rockin’ song.
Side 2 starts with Down Down Down, and it begins with the obligatory EVH rip off solo for all hair band guitarists everywhere, before the big fat riff kicks in – it’s a great opener. Metallic Blue keeps the pace moving with a contender for best tack on the record. A great up-tempo rocker with a killer melody and chorus. Then it’s back to ballad city with Inside You. Christian sings it really well, but the ballad count is up to three. Johnny’s Got A Mind Of His Own is prime time hair rock, with a big sing along chorus and a bounce along groove with a side of fat riff. Last song of the album is Can’t Fight Love and is very Def Leppard, but not a bad way to end the record.
If they had kept the ballad count down to one then I would have given it a 9 but they get 8/10 from The Grooveman.
