The new album ‘The Book’ is due for release on November 4th
and promises a blend of songs from that era that Bonnet promises to blow hard
rock fans away. Never being one to write simplistic lyrics but rather songs
with complicated storylines full of content and meaning can this album deliver
what the promo material suggests?
Opening track ‘Into The Night’ confirms this straight away.
A story of a husband coming home to changed locks and packed bags with his wife
saying their marriage is over sets the tone. A hard rocking number with a slow
middle section is a song that in terms of the guitar riff could easily featured
on Alcatrazz’s Disturbing the Peace. Bonnet’s voice is a strong as ever, if in
a slightly lower register and the melodies and hooks are all present.
‘Welcome to My Home’ continues in the same vein with a hard
rockin’ feel to it with more soulful vocals and a nice keyboard underlay on the
solo. Harmony vocals and steady drum and bass are already a feature on this
album.
Track three ‘Earth’s Child (I am your son)’ has a standard
mid tempo hard rock riff and another nice bass line from the impressive
Beth-Ami Heavenstone. With a bit of a dramatic intro and nice vocal melodies
again and a very nice solo from Pesinato it continues the strong start to the
album.
‘Rider’ has a slower mid tempo feel with again a strong
rhythm section. It’s a more radio friendly song but still had that hard rock
riff.
Track five ‘Dead Man Walking’ has a mellow Schenker-esque
opening before a full on assault attack on the eardrums. The drums and fierce
bass from Heavenstone add depth and the hooks and melodies lead to a blinding
solo from Pesinato again.
‘Strangest Day’ has an intro mix of synth keyboard, drum and
bass intro that leads to a heavy fast paced riff. The hooks and melodies
between the guitar and verses are very melodic and there’s a nice fast paced
rhythm section under the solo.
‘The Dance’ is melodic and slower in tempo with a drum and
bass lead in. Again the melodic vocals are in evidence overlapping nicely
between the verses and chorus.
Track eight, ‘Where Were You’ has a Queen-style funky
keyboard intro. The harmony vocals again overlay a strong riff and a slow
middle section just sets up a shredding solo from Pesinato.
Title song ‘The Book’ has a fast driving riff that has a
strong Rainbow feel to it mostly in part to the Don Airey style keyboards.
Again Heavenstone proves she is a pretty accomplished bassist and the song has
a very Rainbow style ending to it.
‘Everybody Has To Go There’ has a combined drum, bass and
guitar intro and is a driving hard rock song with big hooks and melodies
Another fantastic solo has a great bass line underneath it.
Final song ‘California Air’ ends the album with a crunchy
yet melodic riff with a bit of a plinky piano piece. Once more the harmony
vocals overlap between the verse and chorus and a very sweet harmonic solo just
rounds the song off nicely.
So, that’s the review for “The Book” done....or is it? The
album comes with a second cd of re-recorded classic from Bonnet’s back
catelogue. Rather than review them all (you should bloody know them anyway) its
safe to say that although they are recorded in a lower key to suit Graham’s
ageing voice they actually sound really fresh and the band to a great job in
re-creating the old songs with a fresher more modern feel to them. In
particular Pesinato puts hiscown stamp on the songs without ever straying too
far from the originals.
The track listing for the 2nd cd is ÷
Eyes Of The World
All Night Long
Lost in Hollywood
Since You’ve Been Gone
Night games
SOS
Assault Attack
Dancer
Dessert Song
Hiroshima Mon Amour
God Bless Video
Will you be There Tonight
Witchwood
Stand in Line
Here Comes The Night (Down Without a Fight)
All in all this is a superb release and anyone who hasn’t
got tickets for his upcoming tour, including Northern Irish dates and
appearance at HRH X.....what the feck are you waiting for......
Review by Andy Gillen
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