Background
Over the last few years, the name Kurt Vereecke has reverberated around
the Internet/AOR community thanks to his Frozen Rain project. More
than just a presence on MySpace, Kurt has now managed to transform
potential into permanence, with the manifestation of mp3 samples into
a full-blown first album - released on the new German label Avenue
Of Allies. It's a very happy sounding variant of AOR - more so than
what I've heard in recent times. Musically, I'd say it's a melding
of Radioactive, Lec Zorn Project and a guy like Ralph Van Manen, all
three are highly melodic acts in their own right. At this early stage
it would be difficult to say that Frozen Rain has forged it's own
identity, purely due to the sheer number of different personnel involved.
Perhaps in time that might happen, but as of now, the music on this
album will have pure-bred AORsters salivating in anticipation! Attention
to detail is obvious right from the outset with this CD, all songs
lovingly cared for over the duration of a couple of years. Not quite
up there in terms of a late 'estimated time of arrival' as we got
with last years Lec Zorn Project, but certainly, Frozen Rain and LZP
do have a lot of similarities.
The
Songs
There are some very familiar names onboard. Tommy Denander (Radioactive),
Steve Newman (Newman), Jim Santos (Norway)
and Daniel Flores (Minds Eye) all spring to mind,
plus Kurt has bought in many of his musical cohorts from within
his native Belgium to help out. All do a remarkable job. Let's throw
the pen at the songs then.
Perhaps
the best known track is the opener 'Waiting For You'. This one has
been the most familiar excerpt on Kurt's Frozen Rain MySpace page.
I can envisage AORsters wetting their pants listening to this..
It really does take us back to the glory days of AOR in a heartbeat!
Shuffling
on a restless set of rhythms, 'Wire Of Love' is a mid-tempo delight.
I'm listening to this and comparing it to Ralph Van Manen's debut
'Face The Feeling', an album given a huge rap on this site. Kurt
is in very good company then!
The
happy theme whistles dixie on the lovely 'Music Keeps Me Alive',
particularly that infectious chorus. No half measures on this track,
the beat is relentless, pumping all the way to the end.
'My
Heart Believes It's True' is the first of the ballads to appear.
It's predictably emotion-soaked and displays all the pre-requisites
that a ballad requires. Tommy Denander's solo is very nice, matching
the mood of the song perfectly.
'Red
Light Zone' is not too dissimilar to ''Music Keeps Me Alive', perhaps
a shade heavier, but that chorus is happy-fever again, with the
tempo at a similar speed.
Some
interesting lyrics pervade 'On The Run'. It sounds as if the protagonist
of this song is suffering from sleep deprivation and dementia..
'You have to run, you have to hide, from the creatures deep inside'.
With another very simple chorus 'On the run.. on the run', the fact
that this one is played out in an AOR style makes for an unusual
combination.
Nothing
too complex with the arrangement on 'Park Café'. I think
many of us have heard this musical structure many times before on
other similar songs, but this one has a load of charm, notwithstanding
another spot-on solo from Denander.
'Never
Be A Fool Again' is delivered in the purest form of AOR possible.
It's another track that time-warps us back to the mid 80's, except
the production is far superior. I'm sure many of you will enjoy
this track.
Rhythm
guitars take control on the very pulse-driven 'Your Love'. This
one has a Toto feel to it, but Tommy Denander's superb solo sends
this one over the edge. Though the chorus is very straight forward..
'I want it all - your love', it's another choice song!
Fans
of Dutch AORster Ralph Van Manen will delight in
the tune 'Say That You Love Me'. All of Ralph's trademark sound
is resurrected here, probably more out of coincidence than design.
Very smooth AOR is what it's all about with this one.
Without
doubt, 'Little Angel' is one of the album highlights for me. Those
awesome sounding keys provide the tether for this song to float
on a blanket of sugary melodies, but always kept anchored by some
tempered rhythm guitar. Great chorus too.. just thought I'd mention
that!
The
album exit point is the ballad 'Tomorrow'. This one has a very sentimental
vibe to it, and is closest to the ballad material heard on the beautiful
1993 debut album from Ralph Van Manen. A little bit laid back when
compared to the rest of the album.. consider it a winding-down process.
In
Summary
A very classy effort all round. True, there are lots of contributors
to the album, but Kurt has hovered over these songs for awhile now,
and the end result is a testament to the care and attention given
to the final product. Funnily enough, the songs which didn't quite
hold my attention as much as the others were the two ballads. But
ten exceptional tracks out of twelve more than makes up for it.
For all of us AORsters, we are quite spoilt for choice in the early
part of 2008. Some very good releases have graced us, and within
that you can definitely include Frozen Rain. It gets my full AOR
seal of approval! Go and grab yourself a copy, contact Kurt over
at the Frozen Rain website. Get in quick before they all sell out!
Review by gdazegod
Rating: 9,5/10
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