| Danger Danger Revolve | Frontiers Records FRCD424 |
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They're back! Whilst seemingly always never far from our minds, it has been a staggering 9 years since the last all-new Danger Danger studio album - Return Of The Great Gildersleeves.
We've had the long lost Cockroach release, Live & Nude and Rare Cuts to keep us occupied, but everyone wanted to see if Danger Danger could still bring the magic with Ted Poley back in charge of the mike. Was there ever any doubt? Bruno Ravel has developed into a truly great producer and it is a wonder we don't see him behind the desk on more projects. I hope we will. He brings his magic to the new album, which sonically sounds about as good as you could hope for. With the knowledge that a new record was always going to sound great, it was just waiting on discovering if the band would favor the sound of the Ted Poley fronted debut and Screw It, or lean towards the darker Paul Laine era, which included two of this genre's best ever albums in Four The Hard Way and Gildersleeves. Wisely, the band have opted for a mix of both era's, with the fun and the easy going nature of the first two albums combining with the more contemporary production style of the last 2 studio albums, not to mention that compelling, understated darker edge. It works great for the band. There is nothing unexpected here – which in this case is good, just more classic Danger Danger material. So the album sounds a million bucks, the guys are all playing their hearts out, but of particular note are the lead vocals of Ted Poley – he has never sounded as good as he does here. The added production bells and whistles brings the band up to date, but at the heart of the album is classic D2 – albeit perhaps a little more laid back than 20 years ago. Track By Track: With an ear blasting thump we are away. What we get is the same powerful production and deafening rhythm section from the last album's with Ted Poley's classic AOR vocals riding over the top. That's What I'm Talking About is a typical feel good anthem with a soaring chorus and tasty guitar solo. Ghost of Love is a driving rocker with a slightly darker feel and a catchy fast paced chorus and a thumping bass line. Killin' Love is a great dark and moody rocker. A little slower and more intense, but I love this side of the band and Ted sounds fantastic singing in this moodier range. Hearts On The Highway is simply a classic Danger Danger hard rocking anthem and one of the best songs for 2009. Love that chorus…love everything about this track. Perfect. Time for a ballad. The acoustic driven Fugitive is sentimental, melancholy and thoroughly enjoyable. Another great vocal from Ted too. Keep On Keepin' On steps backwards into old school D2 style. This sounds slightly different in style to most of the other material. I wonder if this song isn't an unused track from the past? In any regard, it's still a solid feel good rocker, which fans of the debut will love, but not a knockout. Rocket To Your Heart really gets my attention. A moody and somewhat contemporary ballad that turns heavier during an anthemic chorus. I could hear this being part of the last couple of albums too. Very cool song. Time to relax the seriousness for a moment with a typical mid-tempo D2 tongue in cheek rocker in F.U.$. Great verse, great chorus and a good fun track. The mid-tempo rock track Beautiful Regret is one song I'm still struggling with a little. It just isn't as instant as some other tracks and one of the least catchy songs of the album. The rock ballad Never Give Up is much better – full of class, full of emotional and another great lower register vocal from Ted. A perfect chorus. The best way to end a Danger Danger album is with a classic old school party rocker and Dirty Mind is just that - classic D2 and great hard rocking attitude.
And the production – wow – if only all records sounded this good. The only downside to a new Danger Danger release is the knowledge that Ted Poley will likely be up to Greatestits Volume 4 before we see the next D2 album. Keep the momentum going lads!
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18/10/09: Stan From Australia - stca@hotmail.com
15/10/09: ODYSSEAS - oddylee@hotmail.com
14/10/09: Brian - brain_1124@yahoo.com
13/10/09: Kevin - kbill@hotmail.com
13/10/09: Mark - Tantrum1213@yahoo.com
13/10/09: Alex Siedler - @@
13/10/09: panos - panline9@yahoo.gr
13/10/09: Michael - mojomann@gmail.com
13/10/09: Tuomas - syklipollo@gmail.com
13/10/09: Tom - tom.timmermans@flexsys.com
12/10/09: Chris Kaiser - soundadvice2k@bresnan.net
Rating: 98
Brilliant Album, songs like "Rocket To Your Heart, Hearts On The Highway & That's What I'm Talking About has restored my faith in AOR. I just keep playing the CD over and over as loud as it goes in my car just love it.
Rating: 98
the best album of the year!
Rating: 98
Cannot get enough of this album! Love it, love it, love it. One of my favorites from Ted or Danger Danger easily! I'm particular to Killing Love, That's What I'm Talking About, Dirty Mind, Fugitive...oh, heck the whole thing is just great. One of the best of the year for me.
Rating: 100
The guys really hit it out of the ballpark on this one. Ted is such a fun singer! I played this Cd in the morning and the songs keep playing in my head. Best in Years.
Rating: 100
I know I seen it written not to long ago, that Andrew associated the sound of a perticular group, by making the statement that "This is what Bon Jovi should sound like". Well in my opinion, that statement couldn't fit a better band than these guys. I was Soooo surprised when listening to this group of songs. Great job Rob, Ted and guys,....You out did yourselves with this one.
Rating: 10
Right up there with all the classics in the Glam/AOR genre. It´s every bit as good as any other major/well known Rock release from the late 80s/early 90s with HEARTS ON THE HIGHWAY being the genres best song since then.
Rating: 100
Simply the best album of 2009 hands down!!!!! Hey you radio dj's WAAAAAKE UP AND PLAY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!
Rating: 98
Amazing. Could easily be the top melodic rock CD of the year though I anticipate W.E.T. will deserve 100. Anyhow back to DD, this is great CD. The guys sound classic yet modern at the same time. Rob Marcello is a great replacement for Andy Timmons and nails the DD sound. The songwriting is spot on and the production is very good too. The real gem is Ted's vocals. He does some amazing work here and helps to raise this CD even higher.
Rating: 95
Just what the doctor ordered!! Good old AOR!! Great sounding record and good songs..what more do you need?? ;D
Rating: 75
I was happy to see Ted Poley back at the mic! I was really looking forward to this album, but it's a bit of a letdown. Production is good, but could've been brighter & in your face with more presence. The songwriting's OK, but where's the uptempo stuff? It's all a bit too relaxed and laidback. I miss the attitude, zest for life and tongue-in-cheek humor of the first albums.
Even today if put on either their S/T debut or the magnificent follow-up Screw It, it brings a big, fat smile to my face. This one doesn't. Wish it did, but it doesn't.
It's a bit too "safe" for a band called "Danger Danger".
I know we've all grown a lot older and "more mature" since 1990, but that doesn't mean anything. The guys in Kiss are a lot older and they just put out an incredible WHOPPER of a ROCK album.
75/100 is for good production and excellent musicianship. 25/100 is lost because of the dark overall sound and because the album's just plodding along at mid-tempo, which for a rock album isn't a good thing.
Rating: 98
I am a long time fan of Danger Danger and Ted Poley. I even enjoyed the Paul Laine years, but nothing compares to TED!! This is a great return from DD.
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