One of Germany's better hard-rock bands, Pink Cream 69 boasts a progressive edge and seems to have perfected the formula that worked so well on 2004's Thunderdome: explosive riffs and arena-sized hooks paired with songs of drama and hope. In10sity, the group's 10th album, serves up more of the same. And that's just fine.
But a band as dynamic as PC69, whose roster includes in-demand bassist and producer Dennis Ward and getting-better-all-the-time British vocalist David Readman, should strive to take that sound one or two steps beyond. To a certain extent, that's what happens with the addition of second guitarist Uwe Reitenauer for In10sity, which allows the band to incorporate six more strings instead of relying so heavily on keyboards. Elsewhere, the songwriting team of Ward and guitarist Alfred Koffler proves itself again to be a highly effective partnership. Readman (who will release his first solo album later this year) earns some cred for writing "The Hour of Freedom," an epic-sounding track that comes in the middle of the album and reminds listeners just how powerful this music can be. The first-pressing bonus track, a mid-paced introspective ballad called "Last Train to Nowhere," also emerges as one of In10sity's highlights and stands with the group's best material.
Despite a tendency to reuse musical ideas, Pink Cream 69 is making some of the most professional- and pure-sounding hard rock in the universe. But I think these guys can do even better ...
Track Listing:
1) Children of the Dawn
2) No Way Out
3) Crossfire
4) I'm Not Afraid
5) A New Religion
6) The Hour of Freedom
7) Stop This Madness
8) Desert Land
9) Out of This World
10) It's Just A State of Mind
11) Wanna Hear You Rock
12) My Darkest Hour
13) Last Train to Nowhere
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