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Artist: The Steve Grimm Band |
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To all you AOR fans out there, if you're after that something special to add to your collection, take a look at this superb anthology album by The Steve Grimm Band. 'History ...' is exactly what it says on the sleeve, as all the tracks are taken from the bands three main releases 'Prisoner Of Passion' (1992 cassette EP) and 'Heaven's In Your Heart' (1994 - 1995 CD). You can tell immediately the era of the first few songs as they have that MTV rock energy, a must if you wanted to get any airplay. 'Too Cool' is full of the obligatory guitar solos and easy sharp drum beats that Don Henley in his solo career built his empire on, 'She's Ready' with an edgier groove via some ripping riffs, still holding on to those drum patterns that scream out the soundtrack to 80's movies again, which seemed to be the in-thing back then. In fact, weren't all the bands using the same kit to get that sound or what? 'Wounded Heart' enters into the Springsteen blue-coloured mode, the use of the saxophone a copy cat to what the Boss would do on his arena tours that made him a star forever. The band pump it up a touch on 'Ready To Rock', not as heavy as the M.S.G. version, yet still ballsy enough to show there's a bit more where that came from, and you'll find out on the next section if you like. As the CD emerges in 1992's 'Turn The Key', there is a definite loss of sound quality, which in this day and age, you'd think could have been dealt with a lot better. It's a shame as the band step up into their rockier stage, 'Look Of Temptation' beginning with homage to Joey Kramer on the drums, the beat almost identical to Aerosmith's 'Rag Doll'. The high pitched solo's n' riffs on 'New Kinda Woman' would make a dog cover its ears and Grimm's attitude on vocals totter on the edge of arrogant, but it suits the style of the song, so who's to complain? Even after only a two year break, the 1994-95 group of songs seem to have a sense of maturity underlining them, the whole style of writing and recording changed for the better, which on a whole was probably in desperate need or the band may have lost its way and worst of all, may have been left behind in fans memories of the 80's. 'Be Somebody' could in fact easily have been recorded by Tom Petty in his prime when he was lighting up the charts. It's full of catchy harmonies that don't come across overdone, which shows the versatility of the band as it has progressed. 'Running Out Of Tomorrows' seems almost tame to what has come before it, where the keyboards again come to good use, cutting a smooth feeling through proceedings with ease. The one disappointment on the CD is 'Change Of Heart', which should have been the highlight in this section of the album. You get a mellow acoustic / electric guitar, skipping drumbeat, something on that mature sound they've gotten, but Grimm sounds as if he's having one of those ... "I can't be bothered" days. Listening to the words he should be singing with feeling, unfortunately it seems to be a case of getting it done quick and I'm out of here, whereas on 'Heaven's In Your Heart', he's spot on, sounding as if he means every word he sings. That mellow flow ebbs into 'She Said Goodbye', but they don't forget their rock roots by any means, as 'Flame' kicks butt as a reminder of what they can do, and it's ably backed to the hilt on another cracker, 'Edge Of The Night', with yet another slice of cutting guitar work and soaring solos. Those of the arm swaying brigade aren't left out, as 'You Can Believe' is the perfect song to do their thing. This rock ballad has the lot, aching guitar solos that will pull on the heart strings, harmonies that'll give you a lump in the throat and lyrics that would make a grown man .... sniffle on the quiet! A combination of cool Poison meets REO Speedwagon will hit the nail firmly, and a smart way to end the CD. Due to recent TV adverts using classic AOR tracks to promote just about anything lately, I wouldn't be too surprised to find people may delve deeper into this genre and come across bands such as The Steve Grimm Band, so hopefully this album will have its day as it is deserved so. Fingers crossed again! Review by: Bob |
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Tracklisting:
1. Too Cool |
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