One of those albums that gets you hooked right from the start.
I was offered this CD by our illustrious Reviews Editor with the promise that "this is a Canadian band with all the panache you would expect from there!" How could I refuse it? Shame though that that panache didn't manifest itself in the albums rather uninspiring title, a facet that is becoming something of a normality these days. However, in un-Chickenfoot style, it is actually the band's second release!
Musically though, it lives up to expectations. The Ottawa quartet deliver hard-hitting, guitar-driven straight forward Rock'n'Roll, the majority of which is built around the fiery riff-work of guitarist John Wetherilt. It's in the style of Classic Hard Rock that takes in the likes of U.F.O., Rainbow, Diamond Head, Thin Lizzy and Triumph, but occasionally the galloping rhythms of drummer Paul DeMarinis and pulsating bass lines of Al Perrier bring to mind eighties era Iron Maiden, especially when coupled with Wetherilt's harmony guitar lines, most notably on 'If You Can Feel It' and 'Sweetwater'. Vocalist Sean Potvin has a deep yet powerful roar with shades of Ronnie James Dio, but has a nice melodic edge that serves the slower-paced material like 'The Truth' and 'When You're Gone' well.
Three out of the ten songs on the album are around the three and a half minute mark, and the rest are well over five minutes, which gives plenty of chance for the instrumentation to shine through with some deftly arranged passages, the most obvious demonstration of which is on the epic-sounding '(Fly) Until Tomorrow' that neatly manages to mix a doomy Black Sabbath-style riff with a melodic chorus.
One of those albums that gets you hooked right from the start, and needs to be cranked up loud to be enjoyed most.
Ant Heeks
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