Tuesday, December 23, 2008

535. Michael Schenker Group / In The Midst of Beauty. 2008. 3/5.

With the return of Gary Barden to lead vocals and the good vibes of Michael Schenker’s recent releases, I was looking forward to hearing this album, and seeing what they could do together again. Would the result be a brilliant and revealing current sound? Or a trip down memory lane with a 70’s rock feel? As it turns out, it is the second option.

While I guess I was hoping for Michael Schenker album for the new(ish) century, these two have reverted to their comfort zones and put together an album that wouldn’t look out of place in the late 1970’s. While it is enjoyable enough to listen to, there is nothing new here. In fact, it does lack the blistering Schenker solos that highlighted the pair’s work together in the early 1980’s. Rather than extending themselves, they have put out a safe, almost AOR album, a far cry from the metal attack of earlier releases.
Despite this, it has its moments. While it may not be a peak, nor an album you would give someone for their first taste of MSG (no pun intended), if you are a fan you will get enough out of it to make the purchase worthwhile.

Rating: Nothing new here, but occasionally that's what you are looking for. 3 / 5.

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