Hughes Turner Project have pulled out all the stops with this, their second studio release - with a classic rock base, intertwined with modern rock - it's a perfect combination - no repeat formulas in use here - a great new twist takes them further down the path of success in 2003!
Highlights for us have to include Going My Way, Hold On, Burning The Sky and Let's Talk About It Later. As before, both Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner (JLT) give themselves a good share of the vocal duties and each have the chance to solo on a song or two. It also has to be mentioned with this release....we see the highlight so far, of JJ Marsh's career...his guitar playing throughout is simply outstanding.
So here we go...
Revelation is the perfect opener with a big chorus and lots of guitar - it cries out for radio play! Rooted in classic rock, it's modern rock sound should give HTP a much wider audience.
Alone I Breathe is a perfect combination of vocal duos with catchy lead-ins and chorus and the ever present guitar solo with a "nu-breed" riff! A clear winner!!
Losing My Head is one of those timeless tunes and with this one we get Steve Vai on guitar with a very Zeppelin-esque riff and big drums from Chad Smith opening up this trippy rocker! Glenn pulls out all the stops with his vocal work, especially as the song comes to a close.
Going My Way - perfect lyrics delivered by JLT on a rockin' song which has a modern and upbeat feel, with an outstanding guitar solo from JJ Marsh. Glenn joins in on the wonderous chorus, on what is one of our favourites.
Hold On - with a stirring choral introduction, this quickly changes key with the arrival of a non-stop combo of pumping drums, bass and guitar. The vocals by both singers are simply amazing. With a classic chorus, it's soon joined by a spacey power-rock guitar solo that makes this a perfect example of what HTP is all about. One of our sure fire favourites!
Lost Dreams - opening with a guitar riff reminiscent of The Scorpions early work...the song soon changes gears to open up to a duo of vocal perfection. Shane Gaalaas's drumming takes the lead until once again JJ Marsh breaks into a emotionally charged guitar solo that leads the song back to the chorus and final conclusion, accompanied by a wonderful organ outro by Ed Roth.
Time And Time Again - JLT's ballad and once again he pulls out all the stops. This just shows you that it is still possible to write classic rock love songs in 2003 and follows perfectly in the tradition of Mystery Of The Heart and Street Of Dreams. Perfect vocal delivery is complimented by an ever present guitar that stays close by, all the way to the end of this gem of a song.
Good Bye Friday - a modern day rocker in the vein of Devil's Road but with a college radio chorus, that needs to be played with the volume set to 10!! JJ soon takes control of the song in the second half, with monstrous guitar riffs and solos which are joined by some vocal wizardry that help round things out.
Burning The Sky - With a stirring power riff opening things up, this masterpiece first turns to JLT for the opening vocal duties...soon followed by a soulful delivery from Glenn, who then leads the song into the beautifully executed chorus. Guitars, drums and an amazing bass line are ever present in this modern day classic rock song, which ranks as one our favourites.
Keep On Shining - it must have been difficult to choose this one as the bonus track (for Japan)! Powerful, almost heavy metal - it's a pure rocker and contains a perfect blend of Deep Purple & Rainbow - with shared vocal duties by both Glenn and Joe, thunderous drumming from Shane Gaalaas and a 'metal special' from JJ - this one has to get stamped as an HTP classic track!
Sofia - with an opening of power riffs, this soon leads into dual vocals from Glenn and JLT who quickly take you through to the effortlessly delivered chorus, as only HTP can do. It soon breaks into an outstanding guitar solo from the ever present JJ Marsh. More of the Hammond organ would of been welcomed here, but it does get featured as the outro starts to bring the song to it's conclusion.
Let's Talk About It Later - Glenn Hughes is simply outstanding on this one and produces a song, in part, with vocals reminiscent of his early work in Trapeze. After the wonderful introductory vocal, we're soon presented with a thumping drum beat and a delightfully dirty guitar riff! Slide guitar chops soon put you straight into the rockin' chorus, where Glenn gives it his all on both vocals and bass. Ed Roth provides some haunting keyboards, which then lead you to the conclusion of this monster hit of a song - making you shout out, "More, More"! It goes without saying, this one is on our favourites list!!
So, a perfect ending to what has to be the best release of 2003 and demonstrating what rock'n'roll should sound like in this day and age! You get the perfect combination of modern day rock, mixed with classic undertones, that should be enjoyed by anyone of any age!