Album review: DRIVE, SHE SAID – Pedal To The Metal

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 15.04.16]

Mark Mangold and Al Fritsch appeared under the Touch banner at the 2014 Firefest and this sparked them creating new music, hence now we have the first new Drive, She Said (DSS) album since 2003′s storming ‘Real Life’.

Joining Mangold and Fritsch are a number of guests including Tommy Denander, Kenny Aronoff, Frontiers ‘go to man’ Alessandro Del Vecchio, along with a host of name backing vocalists including Goran Edman, Chandler Mogel (Radio Exile), Ted Poley and Randy Jackson.

The album opens with two rockers, ‘Touch’ which recalls Deep Purple in the keys and guitar riffs and the title track which does what it says on the tin, namely seeing the band rock out.

What I love about this band is they love their keyboards and harmony vocals, and when they add a few they think, let’s do a Queen and add more! Pomp it up indeed. In fact this is a much rockier affair overall than ‘Real Life’, as ‘Writing On The Wall’ is a storming rocker and highlights the vocal talents of Al Fritsch. The song features some lovely OTT harmony backing vocals too and a few tasty Hammond runs and solo.

There are some seriously pomp rock moments on here, like the intro to ‘Rain Of Fire’ – one for lovers of Guiffria. They still do a ballad as it wouldn’t be DSS album without one. ‘In Your Arms’ starts with a gentle keyboard and guitar, overlaid by Fritsch and then he is joined by Fiona. This pairing works really well and good to see Fiona continuing her musical comeback.

‘I’m The Nyte’ may throw a few on first listen as it has a more dance beat/pop sound in the drums and keys, plus another guest vocal in 80′s electro pop fan and singer Kayvon Zand (I think Zand has some connection production wise with Mark Mangold).

So good to have this band back with new music. There aren’t many bands who still produce pomp/AOR albums and Drive, She Said are still one of the best. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)