Talon: Fourplay

If there's one thing the best melodic rock albums do, it's get their message over early. So when the Winger-esque rush of guitars rampages from the speakers to announce the arrival of "Spun", the opening track from the fourth Talon album, Fourplay, you know you're in for a winner. However what makes this album from the veteran US act so compelling, is that unlike many albums treading this path, there's much more to discover as you get to know it. "Sin City Sister" really could be the Scorpions, as vocal interplays and throbbing bass sets up a stunning chanting chorus. However with the infuriatingly catchy "Holly Would" stomping and thrusting, "It's A Fine Live Between Love And Lust" bursting at the seams with atmospheric brooding mood and "Love Is Like A Drug To Me" shaking its hips and licking its lips as it morphs into a gyratingly hypnotic chorus, then the standard of attack never drops. Vocalist Michael O'Mara outdoes himself, oozing with ease from style to style, aping none, yet reminding (in a very good way) of many, while guitarists Kory Voxen and Jim Kee nail every riff and solo with a seldom heard accuracy. Special mention goes to John Parker; being one of those rare things – a drummer who can steal the show every time, but who doesn't feel the need to. Combined with the solid bass work of Phil Keller, he infuses a sense of urgency and groove that so many current melodic hard rock albums try and fail to match. As is the custom these days, a couple of guest stars show up, Pete Fry (FarCry) and Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper) fine additions to an album already bursting with great performances.

Highlights keep on coming, "Set Me Free" releasing an irresistible beat and insisting riff, "Evil" pounding in a far more melodic manner than it's name suggests, although O'Mara's aggressive delivery certainly ain't a friendly "how d'ya do?". "I Don't Wanna Cry" offers up the only real slowie on the album, although things never dip into cliched smaltz. Add in a cracking closing of "There Ain't Nothin' In The World Like A Rockin' Band" and from start to finish Fourplay leaves you completely satisfied. If this is just Fourplay, then I've got a lot to learn...

Track Listing
1. Spun
2. Sin City Sister
3. Holly Would
4. Set Me Free
5. Tonight
6. It's A Fine Line Between Love And Lust
7. Evil
8. I Don't Wanna Cry
9. Love Is Like A Drug To Me
10. Raise 'Em High
11. Hole In My Head
12. There Ain't Nothin' In The World Like A Rockin' Band

Added: March 28th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Talon on Facebook
Hits: 1999
Language: english

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