Released by: Frontiers Records
Release Date: January 12, 2024
Genre: Rock
Line Up:
Jack Russell
Tracii Guns
Alessandro Del Vecchio
Johnny Martin
Shane Fitzgibbon
Tracklist:
1) Next In Line
2) Tell Me Why
3) Coming Down
4) Where I Belong
5) For You
6) Give Me the Night
7) Living A Lie
8) In And Out of Love
9) Medusa
10) Back Into Your Arms again
11) I Want You
In a musical rendezvous curated by the Frontiers label, the unexpected union of two maestros unfolds—Jack Russell, the former powerhouse vocalist of Great White, and Tracii Guns, the virtuoso guitarist of L.A. Guns. With a rhythm section featuring the pulsating bass of Johnny Martin (L.A. Guns) and the thunderous beats of drummer Shane Fitzgibbon (ex-L.A. Guns), and guided by the ever-present Alessandro Del Vecchio, a luminary in nearly every Frontiers production, the duo concocts a riveting hard blues number, teeming with contagious riffs and anthemic choruses.
From the very first chords of “Next In Line,” listeners are summoned to a boisterous revelry, ignited by an irresistible groove riff and piano notes . Tracii once again showcases his compositional wizardry, while Jack delivers a chorus that demands to be belted out with unbridled passion.
This musical wizardry extends its enchantment across various tracks, including the infectious “Give Me the Night,” the fleet-footed and dynamic “Tell Me Why,” and the densely layered “I Want You,” drawing inspiration from the likes of War Babies, Tora Tora, or Babylon A.D.
The album unfurls, revealing a tapestry of diverse atmospheres that pay homage to the spirit of Great White. In the dynamic and fast-paced “Coming Down,” the southern rock hues of “For You” are adorned by a honky-tonk piano, and the contagious hard radio vibes of “Back Into Your Arms Again” create an effervescent and jubilant atmosphere.
Each track serves as an exhilarating revelation, aiming to whisk the listener away on a journey of musical delight through the skillful and unapologetic performance of these virtuosic musicians. The duo’s emotional connection is palpable in compositions adorned with nuanced elements and arrangements of the highest echelon. Tracks like the exquisite “In And Out of Love,” the poignant ballad “Living A Lie,” or the bluesy odyssey “Medusa” transport listeners to the zenith of Great White’s golden era.
While Jack Russell’s voice may carry a touch less plaintiveness than in yesteryears, it still conjures a kaleidoscope of emotions, especially when intertwined with finely crafted and melodious solos. “Medusa” stands not just as an outstanding album of fervent and groove-infused hard rock but as a mesmerizing symphony, providing an electrifying surprise for the dawn of the year.
Score: 7/10
Reviewed by: Shadow Editor
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