Released by AOR Heaven
Release Date: March 26th, 2010
Genre: Melodic Rock/AOR
Links: http://www.fmofficial.com
Line Up:
Steve Overland – Lead vocals, guitar
Merv Goldsworthy – Bass, backing vocals
Pete Jupp – Drums, backing vocals
Jim Kirkpatrick – Lead guitar, backing vocals
Jem Davis – Keyboards
Tracklist:
1. Wildside
2. Hollow
3. Unbreakable
4. Flamingo Road
5. Metropolis
6. Over You
7. Days Gone By
8. Bring Back Yesterday
9. I Ain’the One
10. Don’t Need Nothin’
11. The Extra Mile
12. Who’ll Stop The Rain
13. Still The Fight Goes On
For some reason I had been holding out on completing the review for FM’s latest comeback album “Metropolis”. Maybe because I wanted to give it time before properly reviewing such a fantastic release from these veteran melodic rockers from the UK. For any fans of Melodic Rock you already know this was a highly anticipated release by one of the best in the business, and now reaching their official 11th studio album. These guys have been around since their inception in 1984 and manage to tough it out and brake through barriers with the breaks in the line up and the changes in record labels through the years.
One of the staples of the band has always been the amazing voice of Steve Overland, a legend in the Melodic Rock genre and one of those vocalist who has a distinct vocal atonement every time he sings. Such albums like “Tough It Out” the bands most successful album to date are classics of the genre. Officially the band reunited for Metropolis after most of the writing was done minus Andy Barnett who was replaced by Jim Kirkpatrick who does a great job filling on guitars here.
The strong musicianship is eminent all through the Metropolis, songs like “Flamingo Road” an upbeat bluesy rocker displays some strong vocal harmonizing by the gang, leading the way with Overland’s dominant range. The slow building rhythm the power ballad “Still The Fight Goes On” is a must listen as not only the strong AOR elements shine bright, but the addictive chorus screams classic. “Bring Back Yesterday” has an almost U2 style bass similar to “With Or Without You”, and the fresh style tops yet another highlight.
As far as I’m concerned anything Steve Overland lends his voices to is always great quality stuff. Be it his solo project or the kick ass project of “Shadow Man”, it doesn’t matter because the man has an amazing voice that fits the genre like glue. Metropolis is a strong come back album and the music just gets better as the record moves to the final half. These guys came to play and play with conviction, the replacement guitarist Kirkpatrick does a great job here and the the majestic keyboards of Jem Davis add a classy touch throughout. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I would suggest youact fast and go get this great release that has already received critical acclaim.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 9/10
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