The second album from Joel Hoekstra’s 13 is upon us and it sounds great! Joel Hoekstra, of course is best known as the current guitarist for Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra as well as his work with Night Ranger and the Broadway show Rock of Ages but its with this project and second album ‘Running Games’ that you get to hear his vision on an album where he again handles the bulk of the creative process, overseeing production, songwriting and arranging music and lyrics.
It’s a record beautifully mixed by Chris Collier’s and one which is dripping with ‘70s and ’80s classic rock influences. Along for the ride again are Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards) along with none other than Jeff Scott Soto on background vocals. Surely that’s enough to whet anyone’s appetite?
Hitting ‘play’ you’re immediately rewarded by the Metallic riff and huge chorus of ‘Finish Line’ and it’s from that point that Hoekstra manages to surpass the wonderful debut ‘Dying to Live’ with a series of songs that explore multiple themes lyrically,
Take ‘I’m Gonna Lose It’ – a song that melds NWOBHM bands like Tygers of Pang Tang with a real AOR Survivor-like flavour and Whitesnake-style guitar stabs or ‘Hard To Say Goodbye’ which has a real 80’s countenance that you could imagine David tackling and you’ve only just started to scratch the surface! Elsewhere tracks like heavy groove of ‘Heart Attack’ and the soaring ‘Reach For the Sky’ shine just as brightly.
The best might here just be more experimental and harder edged AOR of Lonely Days’ or even the intriguing ‘Cried Enough For You’ which is far more old school hard rock with a nice progressive edge, whilst the acoustic title track delivers a wonderfully gentle ending to the album proper,
The digital version adds ‘Lay Down Your Love’ a song that I can’t comment on as it didn’t come with the review copy, I’m sure it’s of equal stature though… Great stuff indeed and a more than welcome addition to the collection of anyone who loves great songs and searing guitars!
8/10
Tracklist: Finish Line | I’m Gonna Lose It | Hard To Say Goodbye | How Do You | Heart Attack | Fantasy | Lonely Days | Reach The Sky | Cried Enough For You | Take What’s Mine | Running Games | Lay Down Your Love (Bonus Track – Digital)
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