I have no doubt that this is W.E.T.’s best album to date. Big call I know, but when you hear it I know you’ll know what I mean. Indeed I’d actually go as far to say that this could well be one of the best Melodic Rock Records this side of 2000!
For those not already on the ‘W.E.T. train’ I’ll not revisit the bio, just leave it that the players here have their own very impressive pedigrees and other projects but in coming together in W.E.T. seem to bring more than the sum of their parts. So if you loved the debut and follow-up, ‘Rise Up’ and couldn’t get enough of their last outing ‘Earthrage’ this is an album you’ll have no doubt touted as one to watch in 2021. The real kicker this time is that almost impossibly it raises the bar even higher. Core members Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Mårtensson and Robert Säll have done the seemingly impossible. As the press release says: “Combining powerhouse rhythms and top-notch production, the music is equally classic and contemporary. “Retransmission” is nothing else than an absolute milestone, which is well in keeping with the tradition established by the three amazing records that have preceded this one.”
Opening with the big, bold ‘in your face’ fast-paced melodic rocker ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’ you know that you’re in for something special, and the rock solid ‘The Moment Of Truth’ that follows hot on the heels just crystalizes that thought before ‘The Call Of The Wild’ another great uber-catchy song choc full of melody underlines it all twice. It’s as fine a start to a record I think we’ll her in all of 2021 and just underlines the quality of the musicians here with all pulling out all the stops and seemingly intent on bettering their first three impressive outings,.
‘Got To Be About Love’ the second single, hits about the time you might be expecting something slower but it’s another anthem to remember that I’m sure is already lodged firmly in the ears of fans. ‘Beautiful Game’ that follows is smooth as silk with a belly full of fire; whilst ‘How Far To Babylon’ adds all the bells and whistles and sounds absolutely huge! ‘Coming Home’ is a nice counterpoint to that, potentially the slickest most commercial offering here it just underlines what a real treat we have here!
‘What Are You Waiting For’ is the only slower number here and is blessed with a wonderful melody and it comes just at the right time after a rocking seven tracks. But we’re back in the groove with the next number. There’s a richness to ‘You Better Believe It’ that takes you back in time to the big names of the genre; and ‘How Do I Know’ flies right out of the grooves and just connects right away, it’s currently my favourite track here – it’s the prefect storm of guitars and vocals and puts Jeff right up front in the mix.
‘One Final Kiss’ the last track here is stunning and the one that’s currently fighting the previous track for the best of the entire album. This one has an impossibly huge chorus, plenty of fire and is just relentless! It’s wonderful.
W.E.T. might just have released a modern day masterpiece! It doesn’t get better than this if you are a lover of Melodic Rock.
9/10
Tracklist:
Big Boys Don’t Cry
The Moment Of Truth
The Call Of The Wild
Got To Be About Love
Beautiful Game
How Far To Babylon
Coming Home
What Are You Waiting For
You Better Believe It
How Do I Know
One Final Kiss
Line-up:
Jeff Scott Soto: Lead Vocals
Erik Mårtensson: All Rhythm Guitar, Some Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals & Keyboards
Robert Säll: Keys and guitar
Magnus Henriksson: Lead Guitar
Andreas Passmark: Bass Guitar
Robban Bäck: Drums
