Personal review of several new tracks from AB's upcoming album:

Thankfully, someone out there is lookin' out for FlipOnline...and rather than see us sit back as the red-headed stepchild once again while Michael gave "previews" to all the other fansites out there, Mrs. P decided to graciously take it upon herself to make sure that we were "looped".

I think I heard...4-5 songs. I don't think I'm the best reviewer when it comes to musical attributes, so bear with me. For my own ease, I'll call them (1) Brand New Start (plugged in version), (2) the really long one that the guitar gearheads will ADORE (the "Epic"), (3) the slow-one-that-is-better-than OLM, and (4) my favorite. I thought there was a 5th, but I think it was on my mind because we just spoke of it, didn't listen to it. I tried to jot down a few "notes" as we went along, but the more I listened, the more jumbled my notes got, so yeah. Hopefully I can sort this all out correctly according to memory!!

So. About "Brand New Start". The plugged-in version is that much more kick-ass than the acoustic. And I liked it acoustic. The first thing that still really stands out to me was that it appears that there were "strings"...like violin, or something. I've really been diggin' the State of the Art (new Tantric) demo I got in Foxwoods and they brought that "electro-orchestra" sound into their work...so perhaps that's why it stood out. Either way. I lliiiiiked it!!! When it goes into the chorus, it literally made me smile because it sounded THAT good. Seriously. The vocal harmonies are quite impressive--considering that, once upon a time, Mark sounded like a cat in heat when he sang...I'd say any vocal training he may have gotten has most definitely been worth it. This is the second time (Foxwoods being the first) that I was actually like, "Damn Mark!" LOL To give guitar-kudos where they're due, there was a cool guitar solo that even I liked towards the end...and Myles does his "oHhOoHh" lines, and well dammit. It sounds farkin' amazing. I really, really, really like this song in all dimensions. Hopefully it doesn't change too much after going through mixing and all that garb.

The Epic. Ehhhh. Okay, so I'm sure one day I might eat my words once I get a better listen, but it was just "so-so" for me. Some very cool grooves and riffs...and sure, the guitar freaks will LOVE it, but basically, Mark and his "doo dell eee doos" always got on my nerves after a while...and now he's got Myles doing them. GAHhh!! From what I'm told, there is also supposed to be a really cool drum part with some cool rim tapping and sticking stuff, but when it was speakerphone to speakerphone, it was pretty much impossible to hear much more of the drums other than the snare. Personally, I think this tune would be better kept for a special release rather than taking up nearly 8 minutes of a cd with it...but who am I to talk. *ducks the flying objects from the guitar gurus* Good song. Definitely brings you through several different melodies, several tempos...a real nice blend to walk you through a "mood" of sorts, but its long. Not..."Stairway to Heaven dear god is it OVER yet??!?" long, just "sounds great but the loads of guitar going on and on is getting boring for me can you add something ELSE to it?!?" kind of long. As for lyrics, there was one part that I really liked the "message". I'll be very curious to hear/read the actual lyrics once the cd is released. Again, lets just hope they use a font and size that we can READ, right?!!

Numberrrr threeee. Okay, a little cliche', but I have to say...I had noted that this had an "old school Bon Jovi" flavor to it for me. And that is SO not a bad thing, and I can't place my finger on whatever it was that made me THINK that, but I did. OhhHh...and also about number 3, my very first reaction was, "Ohh I can PLAY that!" lol It's a slower, more melodic tune. I think this is the song that had a rather decent guitar solo going on that was totally "80s rock ballad reflective"...I agreed with Mrs. P that this song had a great deal more potential to be a chart topper over something like Broken Wings. Maybe it was that 80s sound that made me think of Bon Jovi...I dunno. I mean, they don't SOUND alike...Myles voice is nothing like JBJ's, but whatever. Again, the vocals were what really stood out to me. There is a nice mix, and I couldn't quite tell if it was Myles singing on two different tracks, or if it was actually Mark. Didn't SOUND like Mark...but I guess we'll need to wait for liner notes to see about that! Of course, once the cd comes out, I know someone will come back to me and say, "Bon JOVI!? Get REAL. Ugh!" hehe...shaddup.

And finally. My favorite. I think I could probably remember this one the best because it was the "heaviest" of the tunes and had the most memorable "hook" for me. It stuck in my head so much that I think can pretty much still hum it...or at least the chorus. I loved everything from the guitar (shocker!), to the drums...(no brainer!)...and I think this was the one that I could hear lots more bass in. I remember this being one of the more and the vocals were just "hot shit". I've listened to Myles more and more over time and I really do have a new found respect for his talent. Again, this will be another one that I'll be interested in reading lyrics because its an aggressive tune...definitely something I can picture myself cranking up in the truck. Windows down, sunroof open...hell yeah.

Anyway...I just wanted to get that out there to those that still have the AB interest around here. I definitely think good things will come out of this new album. Hopefully, the new label *cough* letsgetamoveon,eh??*cough* will put the necessarily promotion and effort behind getting it out there, and pushing those numbers to get airtime. I still don't necessarily think that US culture, or at least this area, is ready to embrace what AB is bringing to the table, but I do think they are bringing the goods. I think in a society where so many people find the talent in the mediocre "The" bands, its going to take some time for AB to break it open. Once they do though---they've gotta have it pretty much "made". I think the talents of the 4 of these guys together can easily blow ANY of the "popular" bands out of the waaaater if given the chance.


Prior concert reviews coming soon!!

Alter Bridge at Foxwoods Casino ~ Ledyard, CT 5/4/07

Alter Bridge at Crocodile Rock ~ Allentown, PA 10/5/04

Alter Bridge at Phinneas Phoggs ~ Pensacola, FL 5/6/05

Alter Bridge at the Electric Factory ~ Philly, PA 10/9/04

Alter Bridge at the Electric Factory ~ Philly, PA 2/12/05

Alter Bridge at the Starland Ballroom ~ Sayreville, NJ 2/13/05

Alter Bridge at Northern Lights ~ Clifton Park, NY 4/2/05

Alter Bridge at Irving Plaza ~ NYC 10/7/04

Alter Bridge at Webster Theater ~ Hartford, CT 2/9/05

Alter Bridge at The Staircase ~ Pittson, PA 2/16/05

Alter Bridge at Irving Plaza, NYC 3/29/05

Creed at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ 7/27/02

Creed at Montage Mountain ~ Scranton, PA 8/7/02

Creed at the Tweeter Center ~ Camden, NY 8/2 & 8/3, 2002

Creed at SPAC ~ Saratoga, NY 8/31/02

Creed at PSU ~ State College, PA 11/19/02

Creed at Hershey Stadium ~ Hershey, PA 8/24/02

Creed at First Union Spectrum ~ Philly, PA 12/31/02