Reviews roundup – Sabinas Rex vs. Sons Of Hippies vs. Chris Norman

Reviews roundup – Sabinas Rex vs. Sons Of Hippies vs. Chris Norman

SABINAS REX
A Rock Opera
V Kormos

First up, don’t get too excited about this rock opera. Because it hasn’t actually been released. Which is a real shame, as it’s quite a spectacular package from an unsigned band / project.

It’s a double CD with a 30 page booklet, fabulously illustrated, and replete with the story and lyrics. Of course, that would be for naught, if the music was rubbish. But it isn’t. Not by a long shot.

As befits an epic project, there is an epic array of musicians involved in the project, all underpinned by the basic band of keyboardist Vlado Kormos, Teodor Lvovsky, on drums and percussion and Vladimir Ouchakov on guitar. Despite those names they’re from New York, and it was Kormos who wrote and conceived the story of Sabina, who helps save a mysterious hunter from the Barbarians, and becomes involved in the classic struggle between good and evil, as she and the hunter try to save a kingdom in the Carpathian Mountains, which is also plagued by the Black Death.

There are eleven vocalists playing different parts, along with main vocalist Cara Lynn Robinson, with the majority turning in a good shift. It’s very Euro metal, the type of things that fans of Avantasia will enjoy, and if the finished product isn’t as polished as some put out by the metal majors, it’s not a million miles away.

https://myspace.com/sabinasrexopera
SONS OF HIPPIES
Griffons At The Gates Of Heaven
Cleopatra

Oh, don’t you hate it when someone teases you, torments you, then leaves you hanging, like a teenager from a tree!

Because I was looking forward to this album from Florida-based, self proclaimed psychonauts,Sons Of Hippies. They promised me “the passionate vocals of Katherine Kelly,the penetrating grooves of drummer Jonas Canales and bassist David Daley plus pulsating,psychedelic atmospheres that will appeal to fans of space rock bands from Hawkwind to Flaming Lips”.

What should have given the game away was the bit that said “mixed by Jack Endino (Nirvana,L7) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Andy Walter(Radiohead,David Bowie,U2)”. Because this is indie shit. At an absolute push, you call it psychedelic pop, but even that could get you in trouble with trading standards.

I’m struggling to think of a worthwhile moment, but if pushed the Billy Sherwood enhanced ‘Spaceship Ride’ is about the only decent thing. If I’d wanted to listen to The Julie Dolphin crossed with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, then I would have, well frankly, I wouldn’t. There’s lies, damned lies, and claiming this is space rock. For shame.

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CHRIS NORMAN
There And Back
Solo Sound

Chris Norman! There’s a name from my primary school days. Not that I knew his name back then. Nope, he was the bloke from Smokie. I first learned his name when he had his mega-hit with Suzi Quatro (ah, Suzi!). ‘Stumblin’ In’, that was.

Well, here he is, with a new solo album, featuring thirteen original songs. Although you wouldn’t know it, he’s sold over 20 million albums, and worked with the likes of ABBA’s Agnetha, Donovan, the Heavy Metal Kids and even created the England football team’s World Cup ’82 hit ‘This Time’. But we won’t talk about that.

Instead, we’ll talk about what a thoroughly enjoyable album this is. He always had one of those identifiable, husky voices, and it’s in good shape here. It’s his first UK solo album in over five years and the single, ‘Gypsy Queen’, as well being an early highlight is a “45 to mark his 45 years in the music business.”

Elsewhere, he can rock it up on the likes of the ‘What You’re Proposing’ riff of ‘Whisky & Water’ and ‘I’m Gone’, as well as coming up with a cracking big ballad in the shape of ‘Wish You Well’. However, the best track is the gospel tinged, ‘Hard Road To Cross’, a stunning song that deserves a big audience. It’s also a duet, but as this is a promo CD, I don’t know who the female singer is. Album of the week, no doubt about it.

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