Band Weblogs

Stream Of Passion felt they needed to silence their critics by releasing a live performance of their new music. Some people thought that the band was suspect because the first studio release Embrace The Storm came together by exchanging files over the internet. Arjen “Ayreon” Luccassen and the rest of the band are all over the globe so there was no other way at the time to make the recording happen. The results were fantastic and the album garnered some great reviews and it continues to gather momentum, the critics be damned! This is a common practice these days and many great albums have resulted by using the available technologies to eliminate the logistical nightmares that previously killed many great projects before their birth, leaving just a thought or an idea on the table, never to be revisited again. Welcome to 2006 and all the wonderful mediums at our disposal.

The Live In The Real World DVD (also available as two CD set) removes any doubt or speculation that this band is not the real deal and capable of performing their studio cuts and a range of previous Ayreon tracks just as well or if not better in a live setting. Marcela Bovio is magnetic on stage and she has her equally beautiful sister Diana by her side to provide the outstanding backup vocals necessary for all of the tracks the band runs through on the DVD. Damian Wilson (Threshold, Rick Wakeman) steps up and steers the ship for the Ayreon classics “The Castle Hall” and “Into the Black Hole.” His voice is widely recognized in the world of progressive rock and he is one of the most sought after lead vocalist today. Arjen knows who the best are and always manages to bring them into his projects at some point. The title track is one of the more dynamic and exciting performances and I can see why it was the choice for a single and video shoot. Every track has the ability to stand on its own and I enjoyed it so much, a few days later I watched it again.

Continue reading “Stream Of Passion Live In The Real World”

How many bands do you know can make a comeback with a cover album? I cannot think of that many. Def Leppard is one such band with the experience, the chops, and charisma to pull it off in a big way. When yet another ‘cover’ album press release comes through, I cringe because rarely do they fulfill the promise of the advertising and media prior to the release. This time my feelings were way off base. Yeah! is an incredible album, a full-fledged classic rock masterpiece.

I always liked Def Leppard and once I heard them cover some of their most beloved songs (and mine); I came to know them in a different way. All at once, they were a long lost friend that I knew when I was a teenager. I was there when all of this music first came out and I loved it all, and I still do.

This is not your typical cover album because of the track choices. You would expect a more generic group of songs that everyone would immediately identify with, this is not so, and that is exactly what makes cover albums so predictable and ultimately boring. They way this album kicks off, man its just killer, with a rockin’ “20th Century Boy.” I was speechless and immediately knew that I was in for a special treat. I am huge T. Rex Fan and “20TH Century Boy” is truly an amazing cover, it rocks with force and power and oozes with the spirit of Marc Bolan’s glam rock. One of my all time favorite albums is Mott The Hoople The Hoople and the track “The Golden Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll.” I think its one of the very best rock songs every recorded, a true classic from top to bottom. Def Leppard really give it its due, they do a terrific job. Two other tracks grabbed hold of me and would not let go, Thin Lizzy’s “Don’t Believe a Word” and Bowie’s “Drive-In Saturday.” I have to believe that Phil Lynot, god rest his weary soul, is smiling from ear to ear right now as he listens to the fantastic cover of one of his best. And surely, Mr. Bowie would approve of the Aladdin Sane classic cover. Just like Joe Elliot said in the liner notes…they felt as if they were re-recording one of their own songs because it was so deeply ingrained into their DNA. Honestly, every track is very good, the band should be proud of the job they did with all of these songs.

The booklet that comes with the CD is cool too. Each track has a write up and it gives some explanation as to why they chose it and other interesting facts, and what it all meant to them. A picture of each band member emulates classic album covers-Rick Savage (Queen II), Vivian Campell (Electric Warrior-T. Rex), Joe Elliot (Ziggy Stardust-Bowie), Rick Allen (Transformer-Lou Reed), and Phil Collen (Raw Power-Iggy and The Stooges), all good choices indeed.

There comes a time in a career when you lay all of your cards on the table and give credit where it is due. Def Leppard has done that and it comes up all spades. This band still has what it takes, they are special, and there never has been any doubt about that.

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

01. 20th Century Boy (3:40)
02. Rock On (2:53)
03. Hanging on the Telephone (2:22)
04. Waterloo Sunset (3:38)
05. Hell Raiser (3:19)
06. 10538 Overture (4:30)
07. Street Life (3:26)
08. Drive-In Saturday (4:07)
09. Little Bit of Love (2:33)
10. The Golden Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll (3:28)
11. No Matter What (2:51)
12. He’s Gonna Step on You Again (4:04)
13. Don’t Believe a Word (2:19)
14. Stay with Me (4:30)