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The solo project from a longtime member of the hopefully-soon-resurrected traditional metal band Crimson Glory presents a composite of traditional and modern infusions of AOR/melodic hard rock, all done superbly well. The first two songs are perfect examples of what many of the genre bands did as time went on, downtuning the guitars to add some muscle to essentially light-hearted party anthems (“Turn It On”) or statements of intent (“Mean Machine”). “All Over You” is a crystalline mix of a sinister riff and acoustic picking paired with a gorgeous multi-part chorus, the formula perfected by Dokken. Throughout, the guitar solos are great, classy Euro-style tandem leads and the prevalence of piano accompaniment and Jackson’s fine lead vocals being backed by feminine ones give this an ambitious, rock opera feel. “Falling Down” is perhaps slightly belabored at 5:52, yet “Ghost in the Mirror” seems wholly logical stretching to 6:07. And on and on, closing with the phenomenal, Egyptian scales of “Rock & Roll Heaven (or bust)”. Not a bad track in the bunch. Perfect for anyone who ever liked Hurricane, House of Lords, Blue Murder, Kik Tracee and any of the other lightly gothic, Zep-tinged AOR bands who sounded more important than they actually were, and adorned with cover art featuring one of the finest nude female models in recent memory.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Turn It On |
| 2. Mean Machine |
| 3. All Over You |
| 4. Falling Down |
| 5. Ghost In The Mirror |
| 6. Eyes Of Ice |
| 7. Far And Away |
| 8. Heavy On My Mind |
| 9. Break It |
| 10. Rock 'N' Roll Heaven |
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| Buy other Ben Jackson Group albums |
