There were three years between the release of the amazing Knights Of The New Thunder and Tell No Tales and in the 80’s, unless you were Def Leppard, that was suicide. Those three years enabled the band to take stock and change their sound slightly to a more melodic rock sound, which suited Tony Harnell’s more.
The riffs are still there though, as opener Everyone’s A Star is carried by an epic riff and groove, with Harnell adding that killer voice. 10,000 Lovers is next up and was released as a single. This song is all about the melody and harmonies but Ronnie Le Tekro still has time to put in a ripping solo. As Far As The Eye Can See carries on with the quality; another epic hook and chorus, and those trouser tightening high notes. Ronnie is such an original player, his tone and feel is incredible. Sapphire is an instrumental piece which starts with a very classical keyboard before some serious over the top fast guitar licks ensue. It’s hands and lighters in the air time with the ballad Child’s Play next. Side 1 closes out with another instrumental piece in Smooth Syncopation, and it’s Ronnie noodling on an acoustic.
Listen To Your Heart kicks things off in Side 2, and it sounds like a beefed up Styx song, especially in the hook and chorus. Desperate Night is straight up riff heavy 4-4 rocker. Northern Lights is another ballad highlighting Harnel’s voice, and is lifted somewhat by a great solo. Another weird instrumental piece in Incipits follows before the album close out with my favorite and title track, Tell No Tales. This is a throwback to the Knights album as this is full of fast speedy metallic goodness. A ripping riff and solo from Ronnie and what a killer vocal from Tony. A monster of an album.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
