Artist: Ted Poley 
   Title: Smile
   Label: Frontiers Records

I’ve seen Ted Poley live on numerous occasions stretching back through the last 17 years, got all the Danger Danger cd’s, including the first one on import, saw Ted with Bone Machine and got all the cd’s, seen him with Gerhard Pichler in Newcastle, where he treated the small audience to a show that wouldn’t have been out of place in an arena and bought the cd’s.  The man is entertainment personified, be it on cd or live, you are guaranteed to have a smile on your face afterwards.  So the title of this new cd, 'Smile', is more than apt.  Ted believes that this new cd is his best to date and after living with it for a week I have to agree, it’s put a smile on my face every day.

Most of the songs on the album have been co-written with Tom & James Martin (Khymera, House of Lords) and have been finely crafted.  Main guitar and bass duties are handled by JK Northrup and his fretwork is absolutely fantastic, solos are fluid and sweeping, ably backed up by Eric Ragnos (Ramos, Takara) on keyboards and Dan Zoid on drums with Vic Rivera laying down some guitar work on a couple of tracks.

Opening track, 'Waiting Line', one of many favourites, breezes in with a tasty vocal line and a Def Leppard style guitar lick, in fact a lot of the guitar work on the cd is reminiscent of da Lepps and given Ted’s penchant for that band it’s not a surprise. 

Another catchy tune 'Going Blind' leads into the title track, 'Smile', a singalonga chorus with some tasty guitar work from Vic Rivera throughout.

Next track 'What If She Knew' kicks in and once again you’ll find yourself humming along to the chorus. 

This leads us into the ballad of the album, 'More Than Goodbye', acoustic guitar, keyboard open up the song and a great vocal performance from Ted that reminds me of somebody else but I just can’t put my finger on it at the moment.

'Luv On Me' is next and wouldn’t be out of place on a Danger Danger album.  If 'You Can’t Change Your Heart' is the standout track of the album and once again JK pulls off another blistering performance. 

Next up is 'Why Can’t We Pretend That It’s Over' and another song that could grace any Danger Danger album that you’ll find yourself singing for days after hearing it, catchy and punchy. 

'Life Keeps Me Spinning Round' is probably the weakest song on the album with a Beatlesque sound about it but a lovely touch of piano.

Another standout track is 'Where It Ends', a mid-tempo with another catchy chorus, great guitar solo and tasty drumwork. 

Next song and another favourite on the album is 'Will Ya', featuring Vic Rivera on guitar, another mid-tempo tune with a Lepps style chorus and a Harem Scarem style solo. 

Penultimate song of the album is 'Reprise (If You Can’t Change Your Heart)' and I have to say I think it works better with the orchestration and keyboards, turning it into a short, blistering ballad with a great vocal performance. 

The last song on the album isn’t on the tracklist but brings the album to rockin’ end, great vocals and guitar with another catchy chorus.

This is definitely the best album Ted Poley has made since the early Danger Danger days, he’s sounding great and this translates across the songs.  Lyrically, the album is his strongest to date and the guitar work outstanding from both JK and Vic Rivera.  I must give mention to Dan Zoid who comes up with some great fills and rolls on drums, listen closely and you’ll hear what I mean.

This is definitely a must have for all fans of quality melodic rock, do yourself a favour and put a SMILE on your face.  

* Review by Brassy.

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