Vertigo

Recently, I’ve decided to investigate the vastness of the various genres of metal and try to understand the power and impact that such bands as Opeth, Dark Tranquillity, Serenia, Tristania, Therion, Norther and In Flames have on the metal scene and the fans. A couple of years ago, I would never have given those bands a second listen as I'm not really into the more extreme forms of metal. I must admit though that my ears are starting to open up to the genres of melodic death metal and the more gothic sounds of the "Beauty and the Beast" bands that use both male and female singers. The power metal genre seems to be getting a bit boring as of late. What the hell does this have to do with a melodic hard rock album such as this one? Just as I allow myself once in a while to sample the more extreme genres of metal, I also like to drift into the other direction towards a more melodic style of hard rock. I still like the classic Boston, Journey type of sound and the last decade has produced some great melodic hard rock bands such as Harem Scarem, Ten, Jaded Heart and Bonfire. I've been reading a lot about this debut album from Vertigo and from the reviews and the style of music, it sounded like something I might like and decided to check it out.

Vertigo is a U.S. based band that consists of former Toto vocalist Joseph Williams and former Dokken guitarist Alex DeRosso. The album is produced by Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi who also contributes to album as far as bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards and sampling. Rounding out the line-up are Biggs Brice, drums and JM Scattolin, guitars. This is classic 70's and 80's style melodic hard rock. There's nothing new here that we haven't heard before a millions times on the lighter and AOR types of radio stations. Playing a style of music that brings bands like Toto and Journey to mind, it really is a throw back to the days when those sorts of bands dominated the FM airwaves. Those who are stuck in that era (although unlikely to be reading this review!) will eat this up. It has a catchy melodic style that is a little cheesy and syrupy sweet at times but they really do a great job with this style of music. It has a very spirited and uplifting sound and the rich melodic vocals really bring classic Boston to mind. Joseph Williams has a great voice that has the power and style of vintage Steve Perry era Journey and his passionate and emotional vocal style really shines on a couple of great power ballads namely More Than Enough and I Don't Want To Go. Straight To Your Heart is almost a rip off of Bon Jovi's You Give Love A Bad Name from the style, verses and even right down to the acapella intro. A few tracks are guitar riff driven namely I Want To Be Wanted (horrible song title!!) and Love Is Blind. The songs are all about failed relationships and never ending, undying love (as most of this sort of music is) and on the surface seems very superficial.

Vertigo is predictable in every way with the song arrangements but this album delivers track after track of solid melodic hard rock. It's rare to find a band anymore that could produce an album like this and with the amazing voice of Joseph Williams, they have delivered an album that fans of older 70's and 80's melodic hard rock with simply love. Thought this type of music was dead and buried? Not a chance and Vertigo is one of the few bands willing to take a chance to deliver an album that has absolutely nothing modern about it. I found myself actually starting to like some of this and my score only reflects my personal opinion of this album. Most other reviews I've read have scored this album 95+/100. For purists of the genre, this probably is in the masterpiece category, but not for me although it really is a solid album. Next time you have people over who are stuck in the 70's and 80's and whose entire CD collection consists of The Eagles, Journey and Boston Greatest Hits albums and who always complain about nothing good coming out in today's modern music scene, slide this CD in the player....they will stop complaining!!!