I may be of the minority opinion here, but Joe Lynn Turner has failed to release a solid solo album in years. And the oh-so-creatively titled JLT, unfortunately, doesn't do much to reverse that trend, wallowing in classic been-there, done-that blues-rock. Standard tracks like "In Cold Blood," "Jump Start," "Cryin' Out Loud" and "Drivin' With My Eyes Closed" are so generic in title, structure and execution that it's tough not to conclude that Turner is simply resting on his Deep Purple, Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen laurels and going through the motions. Granted, the man's voice does sound grittier and more enthusiastic than it did on 2001's Slam, but that's not saying much.
Oddly, it's a song like "Dirty Deal," on which Turner notches down his overwrought approach, that his voice sounds more genuine and committed to the music. The catchy "Lie" (not included on JLT's European release), the almost-AOR "Fantasize" and the ballad "Love Don't Live Here" are solid songs, too. But considering that JLT is the first album to feature two tracks written completely by Turner alone (the disappointing "In Cold Blood" and the Bad Company-influenced "Blood Fire") and includes guest guitarists Al Pitrelli and Chris Caffery from Savatage, I guess I was expecting something a bit more stellar.
Joe Lynn Turner will always be a great singer, and his place in rock history is solidified. It's too bad, however, that an album like JLT taken as a whole does little to support that legacy.
Track Listing
1) In Cold Blood (4:18)
2) Jump Start (3:29)
3) Dirty Deal (4:09)
4) Love Don't Live Here (5:35)
5) Excess (5:30)
6) Let's Go (3:22)
7) Cryin' Out Loud (5:48)
8) Lie (4:13)
9) Fantasize (4:46)
10) Blood Fire (4:53)
11) Drivin' With My Eyes Closed (3:25)
12) Hit the Switch (3:47)
13) Reprise (1:39)
Running Time (54:58)
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