It's been a long wait for the long time fans of Crown Of Thorns. 6 years to be exact. While the band has been concentrating on other projects, the fans have been crying out, anticipating a return from the rock gods. Finally the news hit late last year that Crown Of Thorns had signed a deal with European label Frontiers Records for a new album, and all the fans worldwide started rejoicing.
This band should be a household name in the rock circuits, and it's a disgrace that they aren't as big as they deserve to be. Fronted by ex Plasmatics and KISS co-writer Jean Beauvoir, this is the bands 6th studio album and delivers a fine slice of AOR/melodic hard rock with a few modern influences.
The band which features Jean on vocals and guitar, Tommy Lafferty (lead guitar), Michael Paige (bass) and Hawk Lopez (drums), brings forth a new horizon of melodic rock bliss with their new album FAITH.
FAITH delivers everything a true Crown Of Thorns fan craves. Melodies to die for, along with the feeling and attitude of a true rock band. Killer riff rockers followed by heartfelt ballads, FAITH has it all. Any fan of their previous work will find something here to enjoy. FAITH takes the listener on a journey from the aggressiveness of 'Rock Ready' to the heart string burner of 'All Or Nothing'.
One thing you can always be guaranteed with a Crown Of Thorns release is that the production is going to be top notch and the performances of the band members are going to be of a high quality, and FAITH delivers those in bucket loads.
This is a high class sounding album, with all the instruments and instrumentation given the right mix and feel for the songs. Some great performances by the band members with Jean's vocals sounding killer whether on the rockers 'Faith' and 'Rock Ready' to the crooning of 'All I Wanna Do'. Tommy delivers some fine solo work and really should be given more credit. A fine guitarist with just the right feel for the song in question. Michael and Hawk bring together a rhythm section that can't be faulted. There are some great bass lines throughout this cd, and along with some of Hawks fills, they certainly bring a cohesion to the band. A tight knit unit indeed.
When i hear this album i think of KARMA mixed with LOST CATHEDRAL, a spice of DESTINY UNKNOWN and a pinch of Jean's solo CHAMELEON cd. Each song represent something familiar sounding without being repeated. A touch of this and a touch of that. The band has certainly delivered here with an album that rocks, croons and mellows to its hearts content.
Now to the songs:
FAITH
The opening rocker has all the trademarks of a Crown Of Thorns classic. A haunting keyboard intro kicks into the furious riffs of the opening chords. Great rocking verses lead into a more mellow bridge and chorus before hitting the listener between the eyes with that killer verse riff again. Jean's vocals go from aggressive to mellow in the matter of moments. The keyboards throughout this song are just right in the mix, and although the chorus is a little simple it certainly makes a statement. This song could've easily come off KARMA, but the more aggressive guitars is a big plus for this song and the sounding of the album in general.
Awesome add-libbing by Jean through the bridge before the song kicks back in with a HUGE thumping bass line that would have the fists pumping in the air. They have a sure bonafide LIVE classic on their hands here.
ALL IN MY HEAD
A mid-tempo rocker that starts with a cool guitar riff before kicking into Jean's vocals. Jean delivers a laid back vocal along the melody line, before it kicks into a chorus that once again has that simplistic feel in what is a very different sound for Crown Of Thorns. Without having a major impact it certainly fits the feel of the feel good track. Jean delivers another classic vocal and although this song may not be as instant as the opener, after repeated listens the chorus is definately a grower. Has part of a LOST CATHEDRAL feel, and includes an awesome guitar solo by Tommy. I love how after the solo it kicks back to the riff and a thumping bass line, before structuring back to the chorus.
This song really has a definate feel about it, and feels like a new form of song for Crown Of Thorns. A cool keyboard outro finishes the song.
LIVING IN THE SHADOWS
Hmmm...this one really took me by surprise to start with. A haunting orchestration filled with acoustic guitar leads to an almost movie soundtrack feel. Jean's vocals come in, in a heartfelt manner. Almost delivering it like a painful memory. The feel of this song is incredible, grasping the listener and taking them on a journey through heartache and pain. A great bridge takes us through to the chorus that once again is simple but effective. Some cool backgrounds support Jean's vocals throughout the 2nd verse.
Now this is where it gets interesting, going from a heartfelt ballad into a LOST CATHEDRAL type rocker for the add-bridge, before heading back into the heartfelt bridge with its haunting manner, going back into the chorus. This song has so much pain through its delievery its almost saturating for the listener, but in a good way.
The song kicks back once again to the rocker stage during the solo before the chorus kicks in with the rocker structure. This is definately not your typical Crown Of Thorns song. More diversity than a Cher hairdo, the track finishes with those awesome trademark add-libs by Jean. Clocking in at over 6 minutes, this song maybe could've been trimmed a fraction, but there is certainly something here for any Thorns fan to consume.
THE ONE
A cool bass riff starts this AOR track that is sure to please fans of Jean's solo work. A nice laidback vocal delivery in the verses hits into a chorus that is feel good and passionate. Jean has so much feel in his vocals that it makes you, the listener, feel for him in the sense of what the lyrics are saying. The ususal double layered vocal bridge includes a wonderful solo by Tommy, before going back into the chorus. The bassline is PURE AOR!!! What is not to love about this song. A classic Jean Beauvoir track. Simple but effective. Finishes with another solo continuing until the fadeout.
AOR has never been so prominant in a Crown Of Thorns release than this track. Jean's vocals are high class, and this track wouldn't have been out of place on his CHAMELEON cd. Wonderfully smooth in its structure and performance. Should be a winner for the fans that like the more laid back sound of the band.
ROCK READY
WOW!! didnt see this coming. One of the heaviest songs in the Crown Of Thorns catalogue. Probably the closest thing to DESTINY UNKNOWN on this album with an old school classic sound. Can these guitars be any heavier? haha!! I LOVE IT!! Another simple chorus but filled with so much power. Great lyrics and vocals by Jean. Man i cant get this riff out of my head....what is happening here. AWESOME drumming by Hawk coming out of the solo, and Tommy SLAYS this baby to pieces. This is IN YOUR FACE Crown Of Thorns like no other, and fits the album perfectly. Would've been nice to maybe have another track like this on the cd.
The verses has a real 'Dokken Dysfunctional' feel to it before hitting a cool bridge to takes the listener into an old- school- fits- pumping- slow grind chorus that stays with you. I LOVE the feel of this song. Moody, grinding, and powerful.
BELIEVE ME
Believe Me is backed by a sounding verse in the vein of Jean's CHAMELEON cd. Another feel good track with a cool vocal by Jean. Containing layers of instrumentation the song takes the listener on a journey of a feel good, swaying 'arms in the air' crooner.
Jean has so much feel and passion in his vocals its not too hard to feel the pain in his delivery. A lighter in the air chorus takes the song to another level. This is AOR at its finest, and is sure to please those fans of the more mellow side of the band. Musicianship and production is top notch in this song, but to be honest it sounds more like a Jean Beauvoir solo track than a Crown Of Thorns track. That said, the band still delivers a fine piece of AOR balladry here.
NOBODY
Another classic hard rock guitar riff in a similar vein to 'Alone Again'. A more uptempo delivery in the verses with another fine vocal from Jean. Boy does these verses have ATTITUDE and fits Jeans vocals perfectly. Foot stomping and classic musicianship with a thumping bass line once again. Personally the chorus doesnt do alot for me...just doesnt seem to take the song to a higher level, instead being consistant in the feel. A very cool add bridge with some fine Hawk fills and keyboard backing.
I feel this song could've really gone to the next level if the chorus wasnt as 'safe' as it was. That being said, this song while in the same style of 'Alone Again' certainly outscores that song with a fine aggressive vocal and attitude.
STAY WITH ME
Another mid uptempo rocker with a cool intro blending melody and feel before hitting into Jeans vocals with a killer verse. The orchestration is all over the bridge giving this song good depth and appeal. The chorus is feel good but has strong backing vocals in that classic Crown Of Thorns style. The production on this song is great, and the mix perfect, with its rich blend of guitars and keyboards. This song is definately a grower and could've easily been on KARMA.
After the second chorus the song cuts back a bit with its keyboard and bass line running the melody. This sounds FANTASTIC, before kicking on into Tommy's solo screaming over the layers of keyboards....WOW!!! After multiple listens you certainly get the feel of this track and the many layers that make it up.
ALL I WANNA DO
This is another song that reminds me of Jean's CHAMELEON cd. The verses with the stop start drum patterns add to the flavour of this track. A laid back Jean vocal kicks into a chorus that couldve easily come off LOST CATHEDRAL or KARMA. Has that 'End Of The Road' feel to it, but is definately a big sing a long chorus that keeps getting better and better with each listen...it just comes out of nowhere.
Some more layered vocals through the second verse takes us back into this killer AOR chorus with its awesome backings giving it feel and depth. A simplistic solo that builds through the refrain and follows the melody with the keyboard backing, sounds incredible. The chorus hits again and takes the song out with multiple choruses.
HOME AGAIN
The Thorns are rocking again with a cool HEAVY riff kicking the song off to the verses where Jean is down and dirty in delivery and feel. With its cool running bass line, this song really has got attitude. Before you know it the song kicks into a BIG melodic rock chorus, in the same vein as 'Although We're Fools'.
The verses kick back with that heavy 'in your face' riffing....gotta love those heavy guitars. The chorus is back with Jean delivering another fine performance. God i love that bass line, just right in the mix. The song delivers an add bridge thats in the KILLER range with the bass line continuing to impress.
A very cool solo running with the bassline doesnt last long enough for me before we are hit with that killer riff for a few bars before going into that BIG chorus again, filled with backing vocals that any hard rock fan would die for. A definate favourite and sure to please any hardcore fan of the band. Layers and layers of backings. Cant beat it. Song of the album for me.
ALL OR NOTHING
Jean delivers another ballad in the mould of 'I'm Sorry' off KARMA, and man is this a great track. An absolute monster AOR chorus engulfed in a verse that delivers pain and emotion like Jean has certainly nailed throughout the album. Great lyrics through the verses, delivered with the grace they deserve. Jean is certainly a genius of this genre. Just the right orchestration without overpowering the song, so that the vocal and lyrics can deliver the right message. Musically one of the bands best ballads. The structure is perfect and love the little guitar libs throughout the later verses, builds the song nicely without becoming bombastic.
Another cool add bridge with solo leading into the chorus, that takes us out of this magnificent journey that is FAITH.
So there we have it. The band has certainly kept the FAITH. The band needs to take a bow because not only have they delivered a fine slice of AOR/melodic rock, they have kept true to themselves and have included many facets of the band to no doubt please their legion of fans. Crown Of Thorns know what the fans want. They know the style of music they want to hear, and it certainly helps when the band themselves are fans of this genre. Their rock roots certainly shine through and while some bands go with the flow of trends, Crown Of Thorns stick to the tried and true and in keeping true to themselves they certainly havent alienated any of their fans with this release. My only little gripe would be that there could've been a little more guitar in the choruses to 'Faith' and 'Home Again' after both having killer riffs in the verses.
After 6 years in the waiting, FAITH has arrived. I give this album a rating of 93%
*Reviewed by: Darren @ Crown Of Thorns OZ Army
