Reviews roundup – Eden’s Curse vs. Johnny & Jaalene vs. Jason Wells vs. Angeline

Reviews roundup – Eden’s Curse vs. Johnny & Jaalene vs. Jason Wells vs. Angeline

 

EDEN’S CURSE
Testament – The Best Of Eden’s Curse
AFM

I’ve always been slightly unconvinced by Eden’s Curse. I mean their take on power metal was always enjoyable but if you asked me to hum a tune I’d be toiling. The best of their records was “Cardinal” in 2016 which was as close as they’ve got to a great record. And now, a couple of years on, we’re getting a best of from the five albums they’ve released over a ten year period. And as you would expect it’s a mixed bag.

They’ve been through about a hunnerd musicians over the years including two singers and to be honest, it was a good thing when Michael Eden was replaced with Nikola Mijic because his voice is far better suited to the material that’s been presented over the years. So it’s the later tracks that work best for me. They’ve also done the sensible marketing thing by including the collaborations they’ve done with an assortment of Helloween, Dream Theater, Leaves’ Eyes and Queensryche folk, so Andi Deris, James LaBrie, Liv Kristine and Pamela Moore are all present and correct. And to be fair, this best of is probably the, um, best way to listen to Eden’s Curse.

If it’s your first time to the races the opening number ‘Symphony of Sin’ will convince you that they are a great power metal acts as it’s one of their finest numbers and alongside fist in the air numbers such as ‘The Great Pretender’ and the power ballad ‘Unconditional’ with Liv Kristine (ex Leaves Eyes) you’re set for a fine old time of it. Of course, the latter two are from the aforementioned “Cardinal”, which goes to show I’m right. For a change.

The second disc rounds up a host of Japanese only bonus tracks which are mainly acoustic and a “new” song dating from 2005 but done for the first time by Eden’s Curse. As befits a bonus disc you’ll listen to it once. “Testament” does the job it’s set out to do as it really is a best of Eden’s Curse. Newbies will enjoy it, fans will love it.

 
JOHNNY & JAALENE
Johnny & Jaalene
Rip Cat

God, I hate young people. I wisnae very keen on them when I was one but is there anything worse than a couple of teenagers reeking o’ talent. Because that’s what you’ve got here.

The Johnny is Johnny Ramos, the 19 year old son of renowned bluesman Kid Ramos, who will probably have to change his name now. Johnny sings and plays acoustic guitar while his Dad takes care of electric. Then you add in sixteen year old singer Jaalene DeLeon wo has come from musical theatre but whose vocals are perfectly suited to the fifties throwback stylings of this record.

Because that’s exactly what it is as they look back in time for some choice tunes from years gone by. So they’re dipping into the world of Carla Thomas, Eddie Cochran, Etta James, Doug Sahm, Connie Francis and many more. And, generally, they do a bang up job of it. I must admit to preferring the voice of Jaalene to Johnny although that’s just personal taste. And I would have preferred some more actual duets as the songs mainly see one or the other taking the lead. But that’s a minor quibble on what is a very enjoyable record.

It’s hard to pick favourites but they do a fine job on the Everly Brothers ‘Let It Be Me’, Wanda Jackson’s ‘Let’s Have A Party’ and one of a couple of Spanish songs, ‘Cuando Caliente’. A great start to what should be long careers.

 

 
JASON WELLS
Nine Hours
independent

Some fine and fiery blues rock now, courtesy of Jason Wells. Turns out he’d always wanted to be a professional musician but family life got in the way. Then when his fortunes took a serious dive and personal tragedy intervened, he thought now or never. He took the plunge and now five albums down the line it seems like he made the right choice.

See, he is some guitarist. A great tone and some fantastic riffs make the whole record a treat to listen to. Musically, it’s fairly straight down the middle electric Chicago blues that would make fans of SRV stand up and pay attention. He takes in the usual subjects – women, drugs, women, women and money. At times he tips over into a rockier vein ala prime time Foghat although that is officially A Very Good Thing. He’s not the best singer so largely lets his guitar do the singing for him, acting more as his own cheerleader than anything else.

The instrumental opener. ‘Warm Up 2’ is a real treat as is the funky ‘Down By The River’ while ‘East Moline’ heads off into the world of the Allmans. It’s the sound of a good night out at your local roadhouse. Tip one back and enjoy.

https://jasonwells.bandcamp.com/album/nine-hours

 

ANGELINE
Shadowlands
Blow Your Fez Off

To Sweden for some melodic rock / AOR. Angeline have a long and tortuous history going back to the late eighties.

The band released its debut album “Don’t Settle For Second Best” in 1990 but never managed to make the breakthrough before splitting up in 2001. But they gave it another go about ten years back and are having another shot with “Shadowlands”. And they’re good.

It is very eighties in style with Def Leppard, Europe (natch) and their ilk all getting a look in. They tend to be on the heavier side of melodic rock and aren’t scared when a decent riff rears it’s hide. They’ve also made a few attempts to update their sound a bit with some modern rock guitar sounds but we”ll skip over the likes of ‘Enemy Within’ and stick to the good stuff. Which includes ‘Nobody’s Perfect’, the Cinderalla like ‘The Devil You Know’ and the legally obligatory power ballad, ‘I’m Here For You’, the best of the couple on offer.

Pound for pound it’s as enjoyable a release as you’re likely to get in the genre this year, easily giving the big boys a run for your money. Here’s hoping genre fans manage to get their head out their arses long enough to give this a chance.

 

 

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