Def Leppard – Drastic Symphonies

Def Leppard – Drastic Symphonies

UMe – B0BV9J8J4X

Def Leppard may be a band who many would not think of making a recording backed by a symphony orchestra. Then again, Def Leppard are not afraid of anything, and they shouldn’t be. Backed by the legendary Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, there are some truly wonderful versions of the Leps favorites and deep tracks here. The album launches with the Middle Eastern tinged version of the unfortunately often overlooked nugget “Turn To Dust,” from “Slang.” “Paper Sun” is fueled with a mesmerizing power, augmented by the ear opening interplay of guitar solos and string sections. One of their most beloved hits, “Animal” showcases Joe Elliot’s voice in excellent form, backed by a music bed that builds in intensity from soothing to potent. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” gets a surprising balladic treatment, sounding more appropriate for a Broadway love story then the fist pumping rocker we are used to. Some of the songs carry a closer vibe to the original recordings, such as “Hysteria,” and “Bringing On the Heartbreak,” the latter followed by a standout version of the instrumental “Switch 625.” Many of the songs do get a more orchestrated makeover which may not sound like full-fledged rock as Leppard fans are used to. It is still very enjoyable, and as stated before, Def Leppard are unafraid to attempt something different, and as a result, they did not fall into the trap many bands who record with an orchestra do by merely playing their songs as they sound on the record with the orchestra as an addition. On the contrary, a lot more thought and innovation went into this recording, resulting in pleasant enjoyment. – MW

http://www.defleppard.com

https://www.defleppard.com/

Nick Justice – Stranger In My Town

Nick Justice – Stranger In My Town

San Diego singer-songwriter Nick Justice has graced the music world with his latest effort. An acoustic folk and country hybrid, Nick’s influences of the various troubadours of those genres are wonderfully on display here. You feel a lot of Dylan, not just because of his voice which sounds a bit like a less nasal version of Bob, but he has a real knack for reaching deep into his soul to create stories that can be anything from sad to joyful to targeted statements about the times we live in. Most of the music runs at a ballad-type pace, but it works well with the bare-bones approach to the musical backdrop, creating a mesmerizing foil for his voice and words. There are some snappier tunes, such as “Don’t Walk Away” and “Save Somebody” that would be as comfortable in a smoky honky-tonk as they would be in a Seattle coffee house. Still, when you listen to a somber serenade like “Hard Times” which deals with the homeless problem, you know that he pours his heart into all the songs no matter the pace. And that is what makes him a troubadour in his own right, one who deserves more notice. – MW

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King Kobra – We Are Warriors

King Kobra – We Are Warriors

Cleopatra – ‎ B0C79BMHST

If anyone has any doubt that hard rock/heavy metal is still alive and kicking, they need to listen to the latest from King Kobra. They are alive and kicking alright…with steel-toed nuclear fueled boots! The album title is apropos as these guys have been warriors in the music battlefields for many decades. The fist-pumping groove of “Music Is A Piece Of Art” lays the groundwork for the relentless intensity you will experience throughout the twelve tracks.”Turn Up The Music” will entice you to do just that, with its powerful hooks and melodic kisses. Tunes like “Drive Like Lightning,” “Secrets and Lies,” and the title track advance the throttles like a fleet of supersonic instruments ready to attack. With all the veteran songwriting in this band, there are a few interesting twist and turns such as the back-ally blues infused “Trouble,” and the radio-friendly but still potent vibe of “Side By Side.” The two original members of King Kobra still present, bassist Johnny Rod and drummer Carmine Appice, drive their usual stoic rhythms with Category 5 intensity throughout the album. Former Rough Cutt/Quiet Riot vocalist Paul Shortino’s pipes are in excellent form, particularly showing his range and power in the gutsy cover version of the Everly Brothers/Nazareth hit “Love Hurts.” Even with the immense talents of the rhythm section and vocalist, what takes this album over the top is the insanely incendiary guitar tandem of Carlos Cavazo and Rowan Robertson. The frenetic solo interplays and fiery rhythms bring to mind the Judas Priest/Iron Maiden guitar tandems…and then some. King Kobra have been around in several different forms for a number of decades. If you need an introduction to them, this would be a wake-up call equivalent to an air-raid siren for an alarm clock. And if you already are familiar with them, this will be a treasured addition to your collection – treasured as you realize just how much fuel is still in their tanks. – MW

http://kingkobraofficial.com