Cooper, DC - DC Cooper

Year of Release: 1999
Label: Inside Out America
Catalog Number: IOMACD 2005
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:10:00

My first thought was that this sounded a lot like DC Cooper's previous outlet Royal Hunt, despite having Vanden Plas keyboardist Günter Werno among his cohorts on this solo outing. Others are Alfred Koffler and Tore Østby on guitars, Dennis Ward on bass and Kosta Zafiriou on drums. Now, it could be because Cooper isn't singing any different than he did with Royal Hunt, but I think it is more than that. I'm not ascribing any conscious attempt here, as there aren't really any tracks that make me say "oh that sounds like?" - except that there are moments when I think of Queensrÿche, most often during "Forgive Me" and "Whisper." So, those are the short cuts ways of telling you what this release sounds like. The playing is terrific, the production in terrific?

This is a really good release, as all the songs are engaging in some way or another, and Cooper's singing makes this an easy album to listen to. He doesn't reach higher than his voice will allow, though he can reach pretty high. In a way, this is a conceptual album. Not in a narrative, story line kind of way, but more thematically. Angels, dreams, time and the most oft repeated motifs. In fact, this really can be interpreted in two ways. In one, the angels are sent from heaven to restore faith; in the other, it is more a down to earth meaning, in that the love of a woman (in this case) is as if an angel was sent from heaven. While I suspect the truer of the two is the third option - both - it does mean if you're not one for religious themes, you can go with the second.

Pointing out highlights is tough - the opener "Dream" is strong, quite thoughtful, and quite reflective of where many have founds themselves. When nothing seems to be going right, and a drastic solution seems the only option?here the protagonist dreams of "looking on my final resting place." The chorus to "Easy Living" is quite catchy. I'll have to admit to a small amount of amusement at the chorus of "Within Yourself," because the first the three words "Have the power" are phrased such that you could almost sing "how now brown cow" to it (sorry).

"Three Generations" tackles the cycle of abuse from father to son to son, though it is a bit pessimistic in suggesting that the cycle can't end, even if it takes on a different form. Meaning whereas it's physical abuse from father to son, it is emotional abuse from that son to his son (neglect).

"Chained" is a Gunter Werno penned tune, a brief, classically inspired instrumental. It is quite beautiful and doesn't seem out of place at all among these mid-tempo rockers. Yes, there is a metal element, but the guitars rarely chug, and when they do, it is with such warmth and melodicism.

Cooper and Koffler co-wrote six of the disc's 12 tracks, Cooper and Ostby four; the breezy "Easy Living" was penned by someone named Hensley (a name I don't recognize right off). It's hard to say which pairings right the stronger material as each track has its own strength and my favourites are a mix of both.

As I said above, I am thoroughly enjoying listening to this release and if you like melodic metal you will, too.

[Um...after I posted this review it was pointed out to me by a couple of people that "Hensley" is Ken Hensley of Uriah Heep.]

Tracklisting:
Dream (3:52) / Easy Living (2:35) / The Angel Comes (5:32) / Until The End (4:40) / Within Yourself (3:40) / Three Generations (4:26) / Chained (1:31) / Freedom (6:18) / Take Me In (3:49) / Forgive Me (3:39) / Whisper (4:11) / The Union (8:47)

Musicians:
D C Cooper - vocals
Alfred Koffler - guitars
Tore ?stby - guitars
Dennis Ward - bass
Kosta Zafiriou - drums
G?nter Werno - keyboards

Discography:
D C Cooper (1999)

With Royal Hunt:

Moving Target (1995)
Live 1996 (1996)
Paradox (1997)
Closing The Chapter (1998)
Double Live In Japan

With Silent Force:

The Empire of Future ()
Infatuator (2001)
Worlds Apart (2004)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: April 23rd 2000
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.bottomrow.com/dccooper/
Hits: 2610
Language: english