Melodica - LoveMetal


Year of Release: 2001
Label:
Catalog Number: http://www.frontiers.it
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:19:00

Melodica's second studio disc, LoveMetal, is upon us, following their pleasurable Long Way From Home. This is clichéd melodic rock featuring two well known artists - singer Ted Poley (Danger Danger) and Austrian guitarist Gerhard Pichler - in just under 60 minutes of song after song of love and devotion in the tradition of Danger Danger, Bad English, and countless others melodic rock acts. Also joining the fray is drummer Jonathan Mover (Joe Satriani, Marillion) and keyboardist Paul Morris (Rainbow).

I have always enjoyed Ted's vocals (yes, I'm a fan of D2) and they have indeed mellowed over the years. Dare I start this review with a negative, but from the outset the biggest problem with this disc is that at times, Gerhard's music doesn't match Ted's vocals. Conversely, Ted's vocals don't match Gerhard's music. It's a strange mix. It's as if Ted is pulling one way with his vocals and Gerhard is pulling the other way with the music. Aside from that, I am still enjoying hearing Ted sing, even though it's "amusing" to hear him STILL singing about love after all these years with titles such as "Summer Nights" (which is a great song), "Shake" (which is not a great song), "Crazy," "Keep On Runnin'," and "Head Over Heels." I don't know whether that is sad or not? It's humorous at the very least.

The best song from the album is the final vocal track "What Number Are You?" as well as the duet with Tony Harnell (TNT, Westworld) with "Crazy." "Summer Nights," the opener, is a fantastic intro song, but unfortunately some of those lyrics, well, they are old style love rock lyrics and they are as clichéd as they are cringe worthy. I must say that Gerhard Pilcher is a gem of a guitarist with appropriate solos that are pleasing to the ear and they fit the music (which he wrote) perfectly.

In conclusion, the crux of the Melodica problem is the interaction of vocalist and music, and a flat, unexciting production that doesn't help the cause either. At the same time, I know I'll be returning to this disc often because I enjoy this style of music when the time is right.

P.S. I have absolutely NO idea why this is called LoveMetal? By far, this should be renamed LoveRock!

Also released by Now & Then and Point Music

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Summer Nights / Head Over Heels / Lovemetal / Broken Promises / I'll Never Break Your Heart / Out Of Mind / Shake / Crazy / Keep On Runnin' / What Number Are You? / Gotta Save Yourself

Musicians:
Ted Poley - vocals
Gerhard Pichler - guitars
Jonathan Mover - drums
Paul Morris - keyboards

Discography:
Long Way Home (2000)
Acoustica (2001)
LoveMetal (2001)

Genre: Melodic Metal

Origin VA

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.tedpoley.com
Hits: 1839
Language: english

  

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