Strangeways: Perfect World

This review is a real no brainer for me as Strangeways are one of my favourite British bands ever, featuring one of my all time favourite vocalist, Mr. Terry Brock. Frontiers are synonymous with releasing classy Melodic Rock / AOR albums; Perfect World is no exception to that rule.

For me "Goodnight L.A" was a real bench mark song for Strangeways, as was the absolutely stunning Native Sons album as a whole, defining what the band where all about. The first three seminal albums this band recorded should be in any respected AOR fans collection. Brock left the band, recording album after album of stunning Melodic Rock with bands such as supergroup The Sign, Seventh Key, Slammer, Steelhouse Lane, Giant and two solo albums, one having been released very recently, Diamond Blue which is in my top ten albums of the year, so far. Ian Stewart took up the vocal reins, producing three, what seemed somewhat hit and miss albums; the band exploring a more atmospheric and rootsy style. It wasn't that the albums were bad per se! Just, well different, a good analogy being, Journey without Perry, it works on some levels but not all.

Perfect World sees the band taking up the position where Walk in the Fire left off, which quite frankly can only be a good thing. The album is just swathed with beautiful, memorable harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, emotional guitar tones, strong song structures that will have you singing in no time. Honest music, straight from the heart, no more, no less.

The band could have chosen to record power ballad after power ballad, but instead chose not to. They have created and recorded eleven great memorable songs. Tracks like "One More Day" see's the band taking a more mature approach, which is a theme throughout, knowing what buttons to press; the scaling rocky "Perfect World", "Movin On" and "Bushfires" flexing their muscles, whilst Terry adds the cream. The likes of "Borderlines", "Too Far Gone", "Say What You Will", "Time" and "Crackin' Up" dance and caress around your heart and soul; soaring guitar work offering support and comfort, which, if the likes of say Bon Jovi had written these tracks, they would have been smash hits.

The band sound refreshed, rejuvenated, confident and ready to take on the world. It's almost as if they haven't been away, adding to there already powerful legacy. This quality album has me grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat, it just has so many high points it is unreal. If you missed this band the first time round, I implore you not to miss them a second time. This is a band you need to investigate. Long may this reunion of musical minds continue?

Track Listing
1 Perfect World
2 Borderlines
3 Movin On
4 Time
5 Crackin' Up Baby
6 Liberty
7 One More Day
8 Bushfire
9 Too Far Gone
10 Can't Let You Go
11 Say What You Want

Added: October 17th 2010
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: Frontiers Records
Hits: 4200
Language: english

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