Reviews roundup – Chant vs. Hans Van Even vs. Jimmy Barnes vs. Wicked Sensation

Reviews roundup – Chant vs. Hans Van Even vs. Jimmy Barnes vs. Wicked Sensation

CHANT
A Place Where People Go To Dream
Shays Rebellion

It would appear that ten years or so ago, San Jose, California based Chant were all ready to record and release a follow up to their critically successful “New Evolution” album, when their bass player, Tom Harris, was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.

This brought the ten year build up, alongside singer / guitar player Beaux Davis and drummer Joe Nemcik to a close.  But the 21st century being what it is, nothing is hidden for ever, and this brings together some two-inch rehearsal tapes for the follow up album, which have been tarted up, plus some extra tracks recorded with the assistance of bass player Steve Torres, alongside some session musicians.

And it’s fairly straightforward alternative rock of its time, albeit one that has some strong songs, such as ‘Come An Inch Closer’ and ‘You Can Fly’.  But it’s one that will struggle to gain any new people to stand up alongside the few that remember them from back in the day.

HANS VAN EVEN
Stardust Requiem
BP12

Mr Van Even says that “while I’m often known as a shred guitarist, my passion for music and composition goes much further then simply playing guitar and this CD covers a wide variety of styles travelling orchestral, metal, classical, film, acoustic, rock, electro, world, jazz … music, which really reflects the way I listen to music.”

So shred guitar it is then.  And very good shred guitar, it has to be said.  Good enough to get Tony MacAlpine telephoning in a solo.  Even if you’re not the type of person to set aside 40 minutes for instrumental shredding, you will actually find a lot to engage you here, as some of the compositions are top quality.  Best for me are ‘The Fifth Gate’ and ‘Angeli Ex Galaxia’, which have plenty of light and shade to keep you listening for more.

As the presence of Mr MacAlpine would indicate, Hand Van Even is very much rooted in that idiom, but he has enough flair and technique of his own, to stand out from the crowd.

JIMMY BARNES
Hindsight
Mascot

It’s one of the Top 5 Scotch vocalists of all time, releasing his 15th studio album, to commemorate 30 years of rocking and rolling. Now I’m a Jimmy Barnes fan, so the chances of me not liking this were fairly slender.  But it’s actually a bit of a cracker, despite the array of weel kent faces who’ve been brought in to regurgitate Barnes songs of yore.

At least they’ve chosen performers who augment Barnes, so the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steven Van Zandt, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain do their job well.  But it’s folks that take you by surprise who do the best shift.  And for me that was ‘Stand Up’ with Mahalia Barnes and the Soulmates and ‘Stone Cold’ featuring Tina Arena and Joe Bonnamassa.  And in case you’re wondering, yes, Mahalia is his daughter.

The Barnes blast is still in fine fettle, as he revisits ‘Too Much Ain’t Enough Love’, ‘‘Lay Down Your Guns’ and ‘I’d Die To Be With Tonight’, and even if he never rawks as hard as he did on the Living Loud record, there is more than enough here to keep those who like their rock hard content.

To be honest, anyone who doesn’t have a copy of “Freight Train Heart” or “Heat” should be given a beat down, but here’s a chance to make up for past sins and acquaint yourself with James Dixon Swan.

WICKED SENSATION
Adrenaline Rush
AOR Heaven

Album number 4 from Wicked Sensation, the German melodic rockers, and it sees a big change for the Michael Klein led band, with David Reece (ex Accept, Bangalore Choir) replacing Robert Soeterboek on vocals, who unfortunately had to leave because of personal health reasons.

So, thirteen years into their recording career, and with a new man up front, is this going to be the one to push them into the big leagues?  Mebbes aye, mebbes naw.  It is very good, don’t think it isn’t, but anything with David Reece on vocals is going to sound like a David Reece band.

However, there are some excellent tunes on offer with ‘King of the World’ and ‘Misery’ probably the best of them, although the exceptionally melodic ‘Blue Painted Sky’ could see them garner a few new followers from the wimphem wing.  The production is excellent, as you would expect from the ubiquitous Dennis Ward, as is the performance, even if a couple of the songs towards the end of the album don’t really go anywhere.

As befits a band named after a Lynch Mob album, they dish up some fine melodic metal, but it might not be enough for the Premier League.

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