|
Line-up:
Rob
Moratti
– Vocals
Mladen Haze - Guitar, Bass & Keys
Release Date:
January 2004
Tracklist:
1.
The Second Wave
2. Lydia
3. Somebody's Got To Pay The Price
4. After The Fall
5. Lost Inside A Dream
6. Sherry
7. Faithful Heart
8. Cinderella In Rags
9. Runaway
10. Can't Stop Falling In Love
11.
Delia (Japan Only)
Website:
www.finalfrontiermusic.com Check
also:
Surprise Of January 2004
|
Hoorayyyyyy!!!! Styx is back!!!!! Hmmm, hold on a minute, the cover here writes “Final Frontier”.... and this is their second album?? That’s strange, because by listening to the CD I thought it was 1978-9 again and I was listening to Styx!!! I should have trusted my feelings, which told me that the production was too modern to be a ‘78 record. But what the Hell!! Albums as such can revamp the whole genre of prog-symphonic-melodic rock! For those who are not aware of Final Frontier, I can say that the style is equivalent to the second and more commercial (yet qualitative) period of Styx, bearing the mark of albums-monuments like “Pieces Of Eight” and “Cornerstone”.
Eleven songs of up tempo melodic rock with some prog elements (don’t even imagine long solos etc.), wonderful melodic bridges in the middle of the songs and of course catchy refrains that stick to your head at once! What distinguishes this album from others of the like are the excellent guitars, which are present all over the songs and not “buried” - a common problem in such kind of albums. In addition we should mention the multi-vocal lines, which enrich all the songs with a “live” celebrative touch. I can say now that this is the album that Styx should have released these days.
But please don’t get misled and think that this is just a cheap copy-imitation of the great band. No, the songs pulsate with inspiration and present a band which has worked a lot on the album trying to take care of every little detail, in order to present the best possible outcome. The other advantage of the album is that you can play it all at once, without skipping tracks... and then press repeat. Plus it seems to be the perfect soundtrack for these spring/summer days. Songs like “The Second Wave”, “Somebody’s Got To Pay The Price” and “Lost Inside A Dream” will acquire some space in your summer compilations. Plus the Styx-meet-Roxete anthem “Cinderella In Rags” has the ability to wash away the nightmares. If you are bold enough and open minded…
by Alex Savatianos 8,5/10
| 