When I
first heard "Stark" the first thing that came to my mind was:
Why the hell did Shotgun Messiah break up? And why wasn't Harry given
the place behind the microphone on a tune or two?? These six (and totally
amazing songs) doesn't differ that much, on the production and arrangement
side, from Skolds solo-album at all!?
And having in mind that Tim and Harry stuck together for quite a long
time, affecting each other - and maybe having the same influences - the
songwriting techniques and "musical thinking" seems very, very
related.
'Violent New Breed' was a "machine album", Shotgun
Messiah making a statement that 'this is it!' Skold proved it even further,
making his solo-album almost without any "human touch" to it.
And here it is - Codys solo effort - and this is very much in the same
vein as Mr. Skolds CD. So why did they break up? Didn't they know that
they were moving in the same direction? Possibly not - or they was just
plain tired of working together.
If there's
anything I'm disappointed about it's just what I mentioned above - the
soundscape. I had hoped for a little more "rawkanraol", if you
know what I mean... There's a picture of Harry wearing a Saigon
Kick T-shirt. I thought that meant something of things to come.
I mean, he wasn't wearing a Sigue Sigue Sputnik
shirt as Tim was. That was what I was hoping for - and still is - for
future Harry Cody projects.
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Don't get me wrong here; This is truly amazing stuff and the man is a
great singer! He's got a broader style than Tim, and a broader range,
it seems. "Stark" has TKO songs that glues like "RX Lim"
to your brain. One listening only and you can whistle (or if you prefer
to hum) some of the refrains and other song- and melody-lines - and the
man is still a brilliant string-bender, but that is also what I want more
of - geetar! The rhythm guitars on "Stark" only plays the role
of background noise. I couldn't hum a rhythm part even if I tried. But
the solos is there. And maaaan, that tone! That tone!! You could tell
right away among thousands of guitarists - that tone is Harry Cody!
There's people out there who always thought that S.M. was following the
musical winds a little bit too carefully and changing their style as normal
people changes underwear. I don't find that true, but if I - for a second
- should place myself in their position - then I wouldn't consider this
industry-based pop/rock/metal style to be very hyped at the moment. Guitar
is. Not as in Yngwie Malmsteen fretboard-masturbation - but as in "it's
legal to perform with guitars again!" The songs are absolutely perfect
but I don't understand the choice of production. These songs could be even
better with traditional arrangements. And guitars.)
BleachBoy |