28/03/05

MENNEN / FREAKAZOID

When this CD came in the post I thought, "that’s a name I haven’t heard in ages" at least 5 years but the thing that did come to mind was quality Melodic Rock and that’s just what this Dutch band give you.

It turns out that the lead singer Joss Mennen has spent the last 5 years working with the Scorpions, Danger Danger and Craft and with a pedigree as good as that you know he has to have a good strong voice. Their music is inspired by Classic Rock with a capital C and the guitarist Eric Van De Kerkof has a style not too dissimilar to that of fellow countryman Eddie Van Halen with a bit of Shenker thrown in for good measure and when he lets rip on "Wicked White" and These Good Time" his blues flavoured style really shine thorough. There are some very fine slower songs on here as well and all I can say is welcome back guys, you’ve been missed.

Best tracks include; "Wicked White", "These Good Times", the balladesque "Blue" and "The World Stopped Turning" a moving song about September 11^th.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 59 mins + 14 TRACKS