Adrian Smith was futuristic not only in “Somewhere In Time” album and Richie Kotzen is a virtuoso that gives a lot through The Winery Dogs, his Poison, solo albums and Mr. Big years! I’d never think they’d join forces; it’s not their prime, NWOBHM is not a blues rock indoor, take it easy kinda tour, with lots of improvised guitar solos. But Adrian is the rebel in Maiden and Richie just can’t stay in a group for many years, though not the most fantabulous rock singer out there, but as the diva says : “You don’t have to be a good singer in rock n’roll” .
Their first song was released as a single and you can hear the 80’s Maiden intro, to be continued with the bass line that is proof of Kotzen’s influence, as they both sing without worries, they ain’t auditioning, no pressure and they’re taking their chances, to see if you will like the album or not….pretty sure you will!
“Running” is one of my fav modern rock tracks, lyric-wise, you can’t do anything else other than love it! And that chorus, just pure hard rock ! Makes you feel alive! Adrian with the Zucchero hat on, they sing about time, life longevity and their truths, which appeal to every one of the fans that think before and after the headbanging……the solo, great! The representative guitar licks of this year in metal! And just like in life, you hear Adrian playin’ the blues, of a new fantastic album!
Continuing with a laid-back tune, they’re still opening up, what they gathered inside for decades, even though world travelers and earthquake rockers of hymns we can’t live without….. this is for the ones who feel lonely and know it’s alright, it’s a process and you just gotta sing about it while livin’ it.
“Scars” define segments of our life, scars are beautiful when we have broken loves inside, while you listen to the verses and think of Sabbath’s late 80’s and early 90’s drum beat .
You gotta follow your instinct, no question about it! It’s a love song, I like to see it that way, because only love gets skin deep. They play with their solos in a sporty, interesting way, during a song that ends with a solo, after the words are spoken for you not to forget.
How about some bluesy tunes? How about some ZZ Top intro?
You can hear a melodic Adrian, not in those huge stages we’re used to seeing, the Rio concerts are there and Richie’s spotlight on every tour, but sometimes you need the harmonica to think with and about, while the “Glory Road” can be different for anyone who walks through it, walks while listening to these new songs of them.
Live your life in the sun, include the smartness of dark times, love the images of rain that are in one of their videos, if you can’t speak, the sped-up rhythm of “Solar Fire” will make ya want it at their upcoming concert
The hi- hat looks dramatic, then the intro solo of some words that few men say to women, “You Don’t Know Me“, and the more we go towards the end of the song, the bigger the enjoyment for those loooooong licks of those guitars that prove to be pretty solid in this collaboration.
You, loners, you’re playin’ it over and over…….
The truths will be revealed in Time…..
In her soul, he is staying….but he wants to stay in her love that once again, is futuristic and as we travel in changing times, the fragile guy sings “In another life, she made me crazy”!
That’s how you let your heart be abandoned, naked, she walks away, but her secret mind shelters you….there’s nothing that can harm you when Love’s real….talkin’ about scars, Baby!
Protests come through your dark side, sacrificed to a better tomorrow, beyond tomorrow, living with the blues rock that will describe you through the yet to be lived, future times.
9/10
TRACKLIST
Taking My Chances
Running
Scars
Some People
Glory Road
Solar Fire
You Don’t Know Me
I Wanna Stay
‘Til Tomorrow
