| The
Review |
Well, Well, here we have an ongoing tradition of the
post-Journey AOR 'good time' arena rock and roll. Maybe not
so much Journey, but a continuation of the melodic rock stalwarts
The Storm, which contained the less egotistical half of the
band in comment. But for vocalist Chalfant (who also sings
in Shadows Fade) and bassist Valory, the stance for stadium
anthems, catchy hooks and intriguing melodies/choruses is
profoundly executed on VU. ***
Highly keyboard oriented, being somewhat less heavier
than what might be expected, thing of it as being a mixture
of Harem Scarem, Last Autumn's Dream, Drive She Said, and
Giuffria, where the songs are upbeat, with no sappiness for
a continuous flow of love songs. Now going back to the keyboard
Vs. Guitar appraoch, the main melodies are expounded with
the sythns, giving the record a higher element of what some
might seem as being "progressive," but nevertheless, the keys
hold their own, whereas the six string prowess poides the
solos, clean glistening plectonics, and the occasional hard
edge, but yet not heavy, so the crunch isn't necessarily thick.
***
When it come to the musical prowess involved, track such
as the jumpy "Keys to the City," the straightforward rock
of "One Track Mind," the groove laden "Dreaming Your Life
Away," and the pop/rock of "Who You Gonna Believe" are the
records crown jewels of rock and roll glory. Now it's time
to eat those words that I said earlier about the balladry,
for which there is some, at least in the emotional standpoint
of things, tracks such as the eased back "If I Had You Back,"
the powerful "So Long" (an excellent track to end a record)
and the straight ahead mellow ballad of "Save it for Me" are
the counterpoint to the often jumpy approach found on the
album. ***
In the end, VU is an excellent heaping of pop-riddled
AOR, where the strengths of the music is not only riding on
the virtuoso musicianship, but on the strengths of the songs;
and that people is the most important thing. No need to go
into another dimension to prove a point with jamming or improvisations,
it is proof positive that Valory and Co have written and produced
a record that comes from the heart, and that is where music
needs to come from in the first place.
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