Jen beat Covid just in time to enjoy a happy Easter with the family.
I rocked my brand new Grab A Stack of Rock “Faces” hoodie, and unboxed the new KISS Off The Soundboard: Poughkeepsie 11/28/1984. This is the only soundboard show with Mark St. John on lead guitar. This will be an interesting listen to a period of KISStory that ended prematurely. Also opened the deluxe Blackout by Scorpions, one of the few deluxes of theirs that I was missing. No longer!
Finally, I opened a new Apexcam, underwater camera. My cottage videos from last year were lacking in underwater footage. The old camera case had finally cracked. Now I have a new one, in time to up my cottage video game this summer!
Unfortunately the Jays beat the California Angels, ending Easter on a downer! Hah.
On the bright side…we now have Tee Bone Man shirts! Thanks Harrison!
It’s official: the earliest swim on record for any summer at the lake is May 13! If you don’t believe in global warming, then I can tell you that past weekends in early May, we were snuggled up in jackets and long pants. This year, early May was as warm as early July used to be. What an incredible weekend. Clear and sunny until late Saturday. By then we were indoors waiting for the Toronto Maple Leafs to once again exit the playoffs in the first round. But I’m jumping head of myself!
Traffic was light but the music was heavy. Albums for the drive up:
As expected, both were awesome on the road. There was no clear winner. Interestingly, Jennifer liked “Roots In My Boots” by Scorpions, which I considered a bit of a throwaway. Regardless, both albums did well on the highway and rocked us safely to the cottage in two hours.
Not a new release, but since the good Doctor was next door, it felt right to serenade her with some of her best music!
From there we settled in with the first hot dogs of the year, and I began to prep for my show that night (Top 11 Star Wars movies) by watching The Phantom Menace. 10 years ago, the only way to do that would be to bring a DVD and watch it on the laptop. If we wanted to watch a Star Wars movie 30 years ago, we needed to bring the tape and a VCR! Everything is so easy now, but dependent on a good internet connection. That connection enabled me to do the first cottage show of the year, and a success it was. I experimented with some new lighting and it worked way better than last year after sundown. A successful show — and one of the best we’ve ever done. Certainly one of my favourites.
It’s always hard to sleep after a caffeinated show like that. I got four or five hours, and was up and at ’em early Saturday. It was so quiet. Most cottagers have not opened yet — their loss! They were not able to listen when I rocked Kiss on the front porch on Saturday. Kiss albums this weekend included Dynasty, Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, Peter Criss, and Rock and Roll Over.
I made fish for breakfast (trout) and went to go pick up my new bass from neighbor Donna. Her brother was Don Simmons of Helix, and this bass used to belong to him. It is my honour to play it on the porch in his memory. Although I use the word “play” very loosely. I have never played bass before and can only “barely” play guitar as it is. It took some time to get used to the size of the body. Even the neck felt huge. But it sounded great and really rumbled the porch.
I made chicken and steaks on the barbecue and burned up a bunch of old wood — without losing my glasses this time. After being on my feet all day Saturday, I took it easy in the evening, missing the bright orange sunset. I had been on my feet all day and it felt good to rest up in the evening.
We departed for home early Sunday. Albums for the road home:
These albums, Priest especially, gave me some serious retro vibes, as if I had stepped into a time machine and was 16 again. I had this happen numerous times last year, and I wrote about that feeling in multiple previous chapters. It’s a very intense feeling, as if I was no longer living in the year 2022, but had stepped into 1987 again. It felt as real as the steering wheel in my hands. Looks like this summer will be no different. Lots of flashbacks in store!
An excellent start to what I hope will be an amazing year.
Sometimes the easiest way to make a video is to do it live. Last night I unboxed four new arrivals from Japan!
There’s one seller in Japan who has dozens of items on my wishlist. They’ve helped me add many long-sought items to my library over the years. This time, I added to my Scorpions and ZZ Top collections, while taking a chance on a serious Iron Maiden rarity that was priced inexplicably cheap.
Wanna see how it turned out? Watch the short video below.
“Steamrock fever, screaming rock believers.” – Klaus Meine, 1977 “Scream for me screamers, I’m a rock believer.” – Klaus Meine, 2022
SCORPIONS – Rock Believer (2022 Universal 2 CD edition)
The album of the year could be from a 57 year old band!
Although they’ve been trying hard, off and on, to recreate the past for the last 20 years or so, Scorpions never convinced us it was the 1980s again. Until now.
Whatever happened (be it the intense focus granted by a worldwide pandemic, or just the magic of interpersonal chemistry), Scorpions have issued their best record since Love At First Sting. Even the cover art recalls an earlier time in Scorpions history. With Rock Believer, the band have proven that time is no obstacle.
There are a lot of songs here and almost all of them are highlights. Opener “Gas in the Tank” feels like vintage, top-notch Scorpions. While Matthias Jabs emulates the sound of a car chase on his guitar, Rudolph Schenker lays down the first of many fully-leaded riffs. Though vocalist Klaus Meine no longer screams all the time, neither does Ian Gillan or very many other singers his age. The singer is still recognizable as nobody else, hanging onto his power and range. Nowhere on the album do you miss the screaming. Never do you say “all this song needed was a scream.” With the title “Gas in the Tank”, Klaus Meine may have unknowingly come up with a new anthem for 2022.
The only track that comes off as substandard by comparison is the second one, “Roots In My Boots”. On any past album from Crazy World on, it would be a high-speed highlight. On Rock Believer, we headbang along knowing that something better is coming. The chorus fails to land and neither do the lyrics. We are redeemed on third track “Knock ‘Em Dead”, which has the patented mid-80s Scorpions chug. Throw some candy-coated Matthias fills on top and it’s the classic sound. Klaus mentions “The Zoo” in the lyrics but it’s not all Judas Priest-like self-referencing (though there’s plenty of it on this album).
The gem of the album is “Rock Believer“, a truly remarkable ballad/rocker that strikes all the boxes. Klaus’ vocal performance is truly remarkable, going from forceful to tender in a single line. I am a rock believer like you too, Klaus. “Rock Believer” is an example of hard rock songwriting perfection. Every ingredient and aspect of the performance is flawless. Nothing extraneous, although drummer Mikkey Dee gets to go a little nuts at the end, which is a brilliant touch. It is rare to hear a song as immediately catchy as “Rock Believer” these days, but here you go, rock believers! This chorus is the kind that can stick in your head for the whole of a long weekend. (Trust me.)
A loud gothic riff on “Shining Of Your Soul” gives way to a familiar lighter reggae vibe similar to Scorpions classic “In Trance”. It’s a brilliant melding of two styles, and one that reaches back to the glorious 1970s era of the band. Certainly not a re-write of “In Trance”, but possibly a sequel. Jabs’ solo is absolutely brilliant, but don’t ignore underappreciated bassist Paweł Mąciwoda who brings a schooled melodic approach.
“Seventh Sun” stomps like the Scorps of old, recalling “The Zoo”. The bass leads the way while a sharp, sparse riff punctuates the song. It sounds like a huge mammoth of a beast, prowling heavily through the steppe. Scorpions don’t lose sight of melody and so “Seventh Sun” is strong in this regard as well. At 5:30, it is longest song on the album and closest to an epic.
Back to high-octane rockers, “Hot and Cold” really kicks. The riff is heavy and Paweł really goes for those low bass notes. While the chorus on this song is fine and dandy, it could be an example of a tune where the verses are superior. At least in terms of interesting and mind-grabbing guitar work, they are. Soon there’s another stinging riff, on the thrash-paced “When I Lay My Bones to Rest”. If you like your hard rock blasting fast and loud, then you will love “When I Lay My Bones to Rest”. Another heavy tune, “Peacemaker”, has been well received by fans. Scorpions have a long history as a band with a consistent anti-war stance. “Peacemaker” is the latest and possibly heaviest of these tunes. From the guitars to the chorus, “Peacemaker” rocks massive with melody and catchy stabs of guitar.
“Call of the Wild” is a different kind of song for this album. Klaus mentions a “Lovedrive”, but this song is one of their heavy and slow sex romps. It is somewhat unremarkable next to other tunes on the album, but it is different and picks up towards the end. Dig the slight “Sympathy for the Devil” homage. But have you noticed it’s been 10 songs, and not a real ballad among them? Ballads used to be a scourge of Scorpions albums, becoming too numerous especially on 1996’s Pure Instinct. This time there is only one, and it’s a classy one left for the end. “When You Know (Where You Come From)” is a thoughtful song, but it is the rare Scorpions ballad that stands as strong as the classics. It has a late 70s, early 80s construction and an absolutely epic guitar solo section.
11 songs with no instrumentals, interludes or fillers already makes for a hearty album. Scorpions had enough material written to make it a double, and so there’s a bonus CD with six bonus tracks. Seven in Japan, including their exclusive bonus track “Out Go the Lights”, an Accept-like heavy metal warehouse stomp. While “Out Go the Lights” is clearly bonus track material, the other six songs are not. Some of them are among the heaviest songs.
“Shoot For Your Heart” is album-worthy, with a cool unique lick in the riff that leaves you crying for more. This is a high-speed driving tune, the Scorpions bread and butter. “When Tomorrow Comes” has spoken word choruses with a forceful heavy metal riff and more “ahh, ahh, ahhs” than you can shake a scorpion’s stinger at. Good banger, but perhaps a bit too different for the proper album? It would not have weakened the record, but could possibly alienate listeners with weaker stomachs. “Unleash the Beast” is another bangin’ track, and check out Paweł’s deft bassline. “Unleash the Beast” doesn’t have the same kind of melodic might that most of the album has, but its strengths lie elsewhere, such as the creative guitars or Klaus’ talk-sing stylings. The vibe changes on “Crossing Borders”, a laid back rocker with charm and hooks. The guitars have a sleazy rock vibe and the lyrics follow suit. The final bonus track is an acoustic version of the closing ballad “When You Know (Where You Come From)”. The acoustic guitar solo perfectly augments Klaus’ flawless vocals. It’s a lovely coda and an appropriate way to end the extended version of Scorpions’ best album in decades.
Even with the wealth of of material on the deluxe edition of Rock Believer, missing is the ballad “Sign of Hope“, their 2020 standalone download-only lockdown single. Hopefully we’ll get a physical release of that eventually, though with the world now emerging it seems less relevant.
Though there are a couple songs that strive to be as good as the others, there’s nothing here worthy of the skip button. Even with the bonus tracks, Rock Believer is a solid listen from front to back. You cannot go wrong with either version, so just get one. Lockdown sucked and it was good to know Scorpions were using the time to create new music. Let’s support them in their efforts and celebrate their success.
Scorpions are back with their new album Rock Believer! The excellent title track, an uplifting ballad-like construction of anthemic quality, must surely be one of their best songs from the past two or three decades. From the vintage-looking artwork to the mighty Teutonic rock melodies of the Scorpions, it is clear that Klaus and the gang are back. Unlike some past records like Humanity: Hour 1 and Comeblack, praise this time is fairly unanimous. It’s clear this band still has “Gas in the Tank” as they “Knock ‘Em Dead” in 2022! Have a great weekend and as we absorb the new album; enjoy the fabulous title track! Are you a Rock Believer?
Though she has been active in film for over two decades, Hahn Awareness hit critical mass this year with 2021’s DisneyPlus series WandaVision. Tim to dig back into her hilarious past, like this ad for the Chrysler Pacifica! Rock you like a Hahn-icane!
JIM CREAN – The Book of Cryptids Volume II (2020 Dark Night Records)
Jim Crean, hard rock singer extraordinaire from Buffalo, New York, has issued another covers album called The Book of Cryptids Volume II. Many will shy away at the thought of a covers album, but Crean always picks interesting covers off the beaten track. The Book of Cryptids Volume II works because A) these are not songs you typically hear covered, and B) Jim kicks ass on them all.
It’s a varied album. “Medusa” by Anthrax opens heavily and melodically. You might wonder how a hard rock singer like Crean tackles Anthrax. Without difficulty! Jim has a bit more rasp, but where Joey Belladonna gets aggressive, Jim pays more attention to the notes. It’s a fine trade-off. Second in line is the seldom-covered Aerosmith classic “Kings and Queens”, which is right up Jim’s alley. Sounds like a banjo is thrown in for texture during the verses. For an even deeper cut, check out the flawless version of Def Leppard’s “Mirror Mirror”. It ticks all the boxes from dual guitars to throbbing bass. Old raspy Def Leppard is well suited to Jim, who wrenches some panache from the chorus. An ace performance.
Gowan’s “A Criminal Mind” is definitely an unexpected cover. The only band known for covering it is Styx — featuring Lawrence Gowan. Jim Crean could be the only other singer to dare tackle it? This song might be a bit of a sacred cow in some quarters, but Jim does an admirable job of it. Not vastly different, but with its own unique vocal colours.
Keeping with a synthy 80s plot twist, “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)” is the old Mike + the Mechanics hit. Cool guitar solo on this track that stays pretty true to the original. Then “Cry For Freedom”, the White Lion slow burner from 1989, is another surprise. Crean has covered White Lion before, but “Cry For Freedom” is a special song. Not a ballad yet not a rocker, it leans heavily on the beat and the vocal. Then it has a guitar burn-up near the end, and this one sounds exactly like Vito Bratta.
A keyboardy piano ballad called “Love Is” (Vanessa Williams) …well, let’s just say it takes balls of steel to put it on the same album as an Anthrax song. Fortunately Jim makes it cool, but not as cool as the earlier “Criminal Mind”. But then it’s a whole different ball park: Mother Love Bone, and “Star Dog Champion”. Again, a song that might be considered sacred in some quarters. Jim’s voice is well suited to it, and this “Champion” is fully enjoyable.
We begin to draw to a close on the Scorpions early dark ballad, “When the Smoke is Going Down”. It’s another song that Crean is capable of bending to his will. Brilliant vocal on this one, especially considering that Klaus Meine has to be a top-five metal singer. Coming down from that climax, the final denoument is surprisingly authentic to the original: the Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”. This is one of those mountainous peaks that only fools dare to climb. Yet Crean’s winning streak continues unabated. The sonics are so close to the Stones, and everything sounds completely natural. How the hell do you replicate Charlie Watts’ drums on “Gimme Shelter”? Dunno, but it sounds really good!
All this said, you’re still skeptical, right? Covering “A Criminal Mind” and “Gimme Shelter”? A healthy dose of skepticism is warranted when reading a glowing review of a covers album. To me, covers are worth listening to when you enjoy the spin that another artist puts on the song. In this case it’s Jim’s voice, a classic hard rock voice that I like a lot. So I’m cool with hearing “A Criminal Mind”, because I like the way Jim sings.
Consider this. We’re 10 months into a worldwide pandemic and gigs have dried up. Some artists, like Jim Crean, are recording and releasing music, and we should be supporting that. He gives you good value for the money. This copy came signed, with a custom Jim Crean guitar pick and signed photo. Not to mention some quality covers of great songs off the beaten track. The Book of Cryptids Volume II comes with cool artwork of various cryptozoological specimens including a kraken, Bigfoot, some sirens and an alien. You can buy this package direct from the artist, so you know the money goes to the right people. Check it out — guaranteed a few of these tracks will put a smile on your face.
The Scorpions, in the midst of writing their next album, are the latest band to release a lockdown single in 2020. It will come as no surprise that it’s a ballad. “Sign of Hope” is a reassuring song from the guys who know how to write ballads (and reaaaally know how to paaartaaaaaaay!). Of course a ballad is appropriate for these sombre times. “Sign of Hope” sounds like Scorpions circa 1996, the Pure Instinct album. It’s gentle and peaceful. For accompaniment, it’s primarily acoustic guitars, with slight electric guitar accents that pop in and out. It’s actually quite a good ballad, short and to the point. The sparse arrangement really lets us hear the nuances of guitar, and Klaus Meine’s voice. It’s well written and memorable enough.
One could ask, “Why do we need another Scorpions ballad?” Perhaps the simplest answer is because the Scorpions are still around making music. So why not? Will they ever top “Still Loving You” or “In Trance”? It doesn’t matter, because they are in their 55th year and are still creating.
“I see empty places, empty roads,” sings Klaus, and though the streets are fuller now it’s hard to forget the sight of a deserted world. It also strangely seems like such a long time ago that this all began. But the Scorpions reassure us that “it’s gonna be alright,” and eventually it will be. We are getting there. We are indeed seeing signs of hope, but everybody needs to treat themselves well. So treat yourself to some music and grab the new Scorpions on iTunes.
3/5 stars
I also really like the single artwork, I think it’s striking and has several layers of meaning. It’s also nice to see the word CANADA so prominently!
mikeladano.com 