Album review: TALON – Fourplay

Escape Music [Release date 23.03.15]

The fourth album from Talon and one that sees the return of the band’s original vocalist Michael O’Mara. That has been a masterstroke as he sings up a storm on this album and it is quite possibly their best yet.

Talon are a band that back in the late 80′s had they been around would have been up there with Brighton Rock, White Lion and Nelson with their love of melodic hard rock. As it is they have built up a loyal following and have played the key melodic rock festivals to great acclaim.

What sets this album out from their previous ones is not only the vocals of Michael O’Mara but the songs, with plenty of variety which keeps the album on heavy rotation I can tell you! The harder rock songs like ‘Spun’ (featuring one of two guest appearances by legendary session guitarist Tim Pierce) and ‘Sin City Sister’ are the backbone to the album. The guitars of Kory Voxen and Jim Kee work well on the latter song as Michael O’Mara throws in a few high pitched vocals for good measure.

They have a lighter touch on ‘Tonight’, one for radio as it has an insanely catchy chorus. Same goes for ‘It’s A Fine Line Between Love and Lust’, this has a real 80′s feel to it. The slower song are good too like ‘Tonight’ and the fun of ‘There Ain’t Nothin’ In The World Like A Rockin’ Band’, which starts off nice and acoustically, before the guitar solos start flying in towards the middle of the song. This reminded me of the mighty Tesla.

Put simply if you like melodic hard rock this album is for you. Talon have pulled an ace getting Michael O’Mara back on vocals and only gone and made their best album to date. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

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

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