If you don't know them, I'm sure that Google and the online
Encyclopaedia Metallum will be getting hits from you very soon! Time to
get down to the nitty gritty...
'Titans of Speed' provides an anthemic opening something like you would
expect at the beginning of a concept album. With an appetiser like that
there had better be something worthy to follow... and believe me -
there is.
'I Am a Warrior' is a great slice of melodic rock despite the clichéd lyrics, and 'Fly Away' is just as tasty. 'Hearts on Fire' opens up with an incredible riff and goes on to rate among the best tracks here, while 'Sons Of Thunder' is a speed metal classic with lyrics bands like 'Man O' War' will love. A true metal anthem in waiting!
Just when you think it can't get any better, along comes 'Never Give Up'. As radio friendly as anything Whitesnake ever produced, all hung around a lovely repeating melody and only let down by a middle section that doesn't work for me - which would probably be re-worked or cut short if it were ever to be released. This could easily be a hit single, having a brilliant chorus that sinks its hooks into your brain on first play and pulls you along for the ride.
So far this is proving to be a wake up call as, despite the 1990 release of half this album on a widely praised EP, I never managed to get my hands on a copy, so while the individual members are obviously known from other projects, as a band Driver are new to me. However wake up is exactly what your ears will do when you reach 'Change Of Heart' - a track that I first heard when it disgraced Bruce Dickinson's 'Balls to Picasso' solo album. It's one thing resurrecting some classic tracks from a much sought after EP (as several of these tracks have been) - but using this crap again is just downright shameless!
Fortunately, the blatant reworking of that piece of shit does not detract too much (thank God for the skip button on cd players!). 'Dark World' is the only other weak track here, but even that is redeemed by its solo and things get properly back on track with 'Winds of March'.
'Only Love Can Save Me Now' is a rocky ballad, again a bit clichéd but home to yet another great piece of soloing and 'Tears That I Cry' is a slice of pure class. Catchy as hell, brilliant guitar work and another great chorus - this is sure to be a live crowd pleaser. Closing ballad 'I believe In Love' has the expected soaring, melodic solo but for me never pulls at the heart strings the way these things are supposed to.
So.... now that I have unpicked this album track by track - what are we left with?
The quality of the vocal performance and musicianship on display here are absolutely first class - but then again from the likes of Rob Rock and Roy Z what else would one expect? Maybe a little more original material? Personally, I would have re-mastered or re-recorded the tracks from the EP and gave it another release on its own merits. However despite my criticisms, taken as a whole this is an EXCELLENT album and one that - despite the one steaming turd - I can easily recommend.
Quality vocal + catchy riff + huge solo + strong drums = happy bull. It's an easy sum and for the most part Driver get it just right.
MOO! pmsbull
CURRENT LINEUP :
Rob Rock - Vocals
Roy Z - Guitars
Reynold "Butch" Carlson - Drums
Ed Roth - Keyboards
Aaron Samson - Bass