CHASING VIOLETS – Outside Heaven

Perris Records [Release date 03.07.12]

This is an album I really wanted to like, the musicians roll-call reading like a Who’s Who of Melodic Rock in 2012. Yes, Denander’s here, Goran Edman (on ‘The Price To Pay’ and ‘Above Suspicion’), Eric Ragno and even Michael Landau.

The two sisters Sarah and Melissa Fontaine are from France and this project has been put together by LA veteran (although French born) Frederic Slama.

There are perhaps two main issues: with two female vocalists there is not a clear focus – vocally – and most of the time this feels like a somewhat polite, semi -Eurovision take on classic female-fronted rock.

In short, it’s far too lightweight to be elevated with the likes of Heart or Pat Benatar. It’s closer to a band like the Finnish Indica. And the problem is not so much the ladies input but the songs – mostly written by Slama – and this in spite of such heavyweight back-up: there is a dearth of killer tracks. It all sounds terribly dated and, typically with such a project, somewhat contrived. The rhythm section and production is leaden throughout.

It is a pleasant enough listen and not too demanding but the lack of raw emotion and the somewhat metronomic instrumentation does not make for repeat plays. If you like inoffensive female-fronted melodic rock, and the likes of Robin Beck or Fiona in their lighter moments, you will approve. But, new poster girls for AOR? Quite possibly.

***
Review by David Randall

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)