AdrianGale's newest album "Crunch!" is the follow up to 2002's "Re:Program" album, which was perceived as AdrianGale's finest work. Any band following a successful album has some big shoes to fill. "Re:Program" was such a well received and reviewed album, that it could make a follow up a difficult task. But with "Crunch!" not only are those shoes filled, they are filled with a new, refreshed and comfortable feel. The sound and style of "Crunch!" is different than it's predecessor in many respects. The multi-layered duel guitar attack by AdrianGale alumni Vic Rivera & new guitarist Scott "Riff" Miller (from No More Johnny), would make Sykes/Vandenberg smile! The bombastic sounds of drums and bass give your speakers a good punch with each beat. And vocals delivered by Jamie Rowe are some of his best! This album is 'special', and could be AdrianGale's shining moment!
"Breaking Stride" is the opening instrumental that gives you a clue as to the guitar work you are in store for between Vic & Scott. A combo I would love to hear together again! The album itself is a hard-melodic rock album with a modern-pop rock feel to it, that could bring in new fans in from 'the corporate-radio' areas. From songs like "Crunch!" & "When In Rome" & "Tougher Than It Looks" as your pedal to the floor rock songs.
"Without A Moment's Notice" is the power ballad that will hit you where it counts. It is easily one of the best ballads I have ever heard, and will and stand up strong next to the classic power ballads supplied to us by the likes of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Firehouse & your Whitesnake's! Jamie's vocals are some of his strongest on this album, belting out the lyrics full of emotion and harmony. The song itself will have you closing your eyes and taking you to somewhere deep inside. There are a few explanations as to the meaning behind this song. From the events of September 11, 2001 to family members taking ill. But after several more listens, the song takes on a new meaning in my mind. And the people I have played the track for have also heard something different and personal in it. This is the true meaning a great song or 'hit single', that if each person can walk away from the song being touched emotionally. If you accomplish this, then you have succeeded in creating a classic! My hats off to you on this one! This IS a song, that will make you think & I won't go into my thoughts here, but open your mind and crank this one up, cause when it is over you might just reach out for someone.
The two heaviest and different style tracks for AdrianGale are "The Thin Line" & "Question". These two songs stand out on their own on the album. They are both heavy in guitar, and lyrically strong as Jamie delivers some huge dark vocals that make these songs some of the best recorded by AdrianGale. You can hear shadows of Scott's, George Lynch influences on these solos.
Scott "Riff" Miller stated recently in an interview, that "Vic wrote a fun album, but was still able to get deep", and that is exactly what we have here. And the two songs that prove this statement to be true are "Faith" & "This Time". "Faith" gives the radio hit feel with it's in your face vocals and large background choruses approach. The song is easy to follow and has all the right ingredients to be played back to back with Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" & "Everyday" and Def Leppard's "Promises" & "Four Letter Word".
"This Time", will surprise all AdrianGale fans, and anyone listening to the band for the first time through this disk. You do not expect this song after the tracks before it. The best way to describe this track is, Bryan Adams meets Shania Twain. Now what do Shania & Bryan have in common, besides some of the best and biggest songs ever recorded...Mutt Lange! "This Time" surprised me on the first play. This song is the essence of fun in it's purist form. The way this song fell together is a credit to the production and mixing. It has the Mutt Lange production all over it! I dare you to not want to get out of your seat and jump up and down.
"Freedom" is an instrumental dedicated to the US Armed Forces. It has an Eric Johnson, "Ah Via Musicom" feel to it. After reading the albums dedication for this track, you can imagine this track being played during a military video for the people serving at home and overseas.
The album closes with "Last Call". This is yet another radio worthy track to go with "Faith", "Without A Moment's Notice" & "This Time". These four songs could and should make to the 'Top 40' radio. Yes...they are that good! The whole album is! I cannot see how "Crunch!" could not wind up on people's Top 5 lists this year. I cannot see how this album could not wind up as 'album of the year' on sites and stations across the world.
There is something about this album, something that you will all hear. When I listen to this album I get the same feel I get when I listen to "Hysteria" by Def Leppard. "Crunch!" can give the classic Lep album a hard run. It has that many potential singles. IT flows from track to track smoothly. The overall production on this album is the result of hard work and passion for an album that had a lot of faith in it from the early writing & demo stage to the recording and final mixing of this album. Everyone involved in the making of this album should give themselves a pat on the back, because they just helped to release a classic!
