ALBUM REVIEWS Idolmaker Bob Dee with Petro (AMG/Sony Records)
Review by Ken Morton
Bob Dee with Petro has been rocking his home state of New York and well beyond throughout their brilliant career, including a tour with Enuff Z’Nuff that made its way to the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip. From his beginnings in bands such as Tokyo and Beg, Borrow And Steal and on until present day, Bob Dee has released a treasure trove of material. The band now finds themselves within the realm of major label Sony Records, kicking off 2022 with the explosive sounds of Idolmaker. Containing five absolutely memorable tunes, Idolmaker is an EP showing Bob Dee with Petro delivering the sonic goodness tenfold. Opening with the rock solid reverberations of Baby, Bob Dee with Petro captivate the listener at once in a song where driving vocals and infectious melodies reign supreme. Kissed By The Light Of The Moon is glorious and inviting, with its dynamic amalgamation of pop and psychedelia rendering this one a sweet and cosmic standout. Ghost In My Pocket is another example of pure rocking perfection to be found within the Idolmaker experience. Lost On You is a stunning piano ballad superbly showcasing Bob Dee at his most reflective and impassioned. And then closing out Idolmaker is a rip-roaring rendition of (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone, with Bob Dee and company paying raging rock and roll tribute to The Monkees. Each and every member of the band shine on Idolmaker, featuring the participation of Bob Dee on vocals and guitar, TJ Jordan on guitar, Alison Jones on bass, and Scott Campbell on drums. Compared throughout their own expansive rock and roll journey to the likes of Cheap Trick, Bob Dee with Petro present a sonic diversity on Idolmaker that is a thrill to the senses. Here’s hoping we see Bob Dee with Petro back on the road soon presenting these amazing songs in a live setting. In the meantime, check out Idolmaker and prepare to be swept into a state of pure sonic euphoria! Pro tech credits include mixing by Lou Giordano (Goo Goo Dolls, Live), and mastering by Alex Saltz (Vampire Weekend, Stryper).
https://www.bobdeewithpetro.com/
HIGHWIRE DAZE
January/February 2022
Crysteria Crystal Ball Massacre Records
Review by Ken Morton
Crysteria is the 11th album from Swiss melodic metal / hard rock outfit Crystal Ball, and it’s certainly a standout next chapter in an already epic music career. Conceived in the midst of these pandemic days, the band wrote a whopping 30 songs for the album, and the final selections found within the realm of Crysteria presents a band at the very height of their creativity. Opening with the very timely and diabolically memorable What Part Of No, Crystal Ball proceed to deliver the goods with a massive sense of conviction. You Lit My Fire is up next, an absolute anthem for the ages. Call Of The Wild is a standout to be sure, featuring the grand participation of Ronnie Romero from Michael Schenker Group, Sunstorm, ex-Vandenberg and many others! I Am Rock is vibrant and euphoric, with its towering chorus and bombastic lyrics reigning tenfold. And the hits just keep driving through, with Undying, Make My Day, and the glorious title track leaving an indelible impression on the listener. The bonus tracks on Crysteria are even more rock solid! Various members of Jaded Heart join Crystal Ball for the dazzling Crystal Heart! And then the final song on the special edition is Till You Meet Again, a remarkable tender ballad showing another intriguing side to this long running band. Both these tracks are definite reasons to search high and low for the limited editions of this already very amazing album! The almighty Crystal Ball lineup consists of Steven Mageney on vocals, Scott Leach on guitars, Peter Berger on guitars, Cris Stone on bass, and Marcel Sardella on drums. Crysteria was skillfully produced, mixed and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann of Accept and U.D.O. infamy, who also contributed additional lead guitars to four songs on the album. Here’s hoping we finally see Crystal Ball rock the States in the near future!
https://www.crystal-ball.ch/en/band/ https://massacre-records.com/
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