Picked up a batch of CDs recently... just for the record here´s what I think... Ten - Babylon. A great improvement over the very disappointing Spellbound. A batch of very good songs and a couple that let the side down. Production could´ve been a bit better but it´s not bad - just average. Overall a very pleasing return to form. I´d say 7.5 / 10. UFO - Covenant. Haven´t really played it much but sounds pretty good - on balance I think this is a more balanced album than Walk On Water which I regarded as pretty overrated, actually. Came with a free live CD which is solid rather than inspiring but worthwhile nonetheless. Overall 7 / 10, might increase over time! Racer X - maybe a bit heavy for readers of this board - but actually the most melodic of the Racer X CDs to date. The songs are generally good - lacks something in the middle batch of songs but the performances shine. Scott Travis is a demon on drums! Another 7 / 10 and a welcome back to RX. http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5584#msg-5584Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:13:22 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5738#msg-5738 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5738#msg-5738 john NoticeboardThu, 14 Sep 2000 09:16:01 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5624#msg-5624 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5624#msg-5624
John Q wrote:
'Covenant' is slightly better than the last couple of MSG records - solid, but nothing really mindblowing. The only standout track IMO is 'Midnight Train', which really rocks. Instant classic! Overall this is NOWHERE near 'Walk On Water', easily THE best 90's comeback album of any hard rock/metal band. WOW is very consistant if you ask me - not a weak track in sight and 3 or 4 real highlights that are as good as any UFO. The same can't be said about 'Covenant', which contains a lot of by-the-numbers UFO and smacks of 'we really don't like each other too much but, damn it - we gotta make a living'. I hear no real excitement coming through here at all compared to WOW and especially the latest.

WHAT!!!! Covenant is far superior to WOW and IMO one of UFO's best album to date since it's more consistent than any other platter from the mighty aliens!
(great drumming)

Regarding Ten's Babylon I was also impressed by the quality of the songs since I normally detest those guys still they are overrated and they should GET A SINGER!!!!!!!

The new Westworld is another runner for cool album of the year
Very impressive songwriting and Mark and Tony shines!!

-Viking-


-Viking-

]]> Viking NoticeboardTue, 12 Sep 2000 01:46:59 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5614#msg-5614 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5614#msg-5614
To an extent I agree with you on Racer X. Travis´drumming is totally superb throughout but Paul Gilbert is certainly nowhere near as furious as he was on the first albums. That said, where he rips, he rips, and overall I like the more melodic nature of the new album. But for sure Gilbert´s manic speed soloing was a major element of Racer X´s sound initially, so its dilution on TD I did find a little disappointing.

Have you got Ten´s other stuff? IMHO Babylon is not as good as The Name Of The Rose which remains their pinnacle - but that said, I find it an improvement over Spellbound. If you´ve never heard any Ten before then I suggest you start off with TNOTR and go from there.]]> Steve, Denmark NoticeboardMon, 11 Sep 2000 19:23:02 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5590#msg-5590 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5590#msg-5590
As for Racer X, at first I was really disappointed with TD, but I kept listening to it and now I do like the album, especially in light of all the poor so-called power metal that's flooding the market these days. Still, this album is not as good as 'Second Heat' or 'Street Lethal'. Not only do most of the songs not stack up against the bulk on SH and SL - the production is a tad too slick and most of all - that youthful energy, the attitude just isn't there. Maybe that was unavoidable since Paul is now 34 and a multi-millionaire and not 18 and hungry anymore. He's probably aspired to be Cheap Trick or Enuff Z'Nuff a wee bit too long by now to still have that metal edge - and that just can't be faked. Bummer, too, that Bouillet couldn't play on the album - maybe that could've ignited an extra spark. Now if they'd only do a tour...]]> John Q NoticeboardMon, 11 Sep 2000 06:17:02 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5585#msg-5585 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5585#msg-5585 Nicky NoticeboardMon, 11 Sep 2000 05:06:37 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5584#msg-5584 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,5584,5584#msg-5584
Ten - Babylon. A great improvement over the very disappointing Spellbound. A batch of very good songs and a couple that let the side down. Production could´ve been a bit better but it´s not bad - just average. Overall a very pleasing return to form. I´d say 7.5 / 10.

UFO - Covenant. Haven´t really played it much but sounds pretty good - on balance I think this is a more balanced album than Walk On Water which I regarded as pretty overrated, actually. Came with a free live CD which is solid rather than inspiring but worthwhile nonetheless. Overall 7 / 10, might increase over time!

Racer X - maybe a bit heavy for readers of this board - but actually the most melodic of the Racer X CDs to date. The songs are generally good - lacks something in the middle batch of songs but the performances shine. Scott Travis is a demon on drums! Another 7 / 10 and a welcome back to RX.

]]> Steve, Denmark NoticeboardMon, 11 Sep 2000 04:41:52 +1100