Excellent all-around game by the Crew today, downing the Cards 6-0 behind Zack & Corey. Forget the over-hyped opener, this performance, I think, will be more indicative of what to expect going forward.
Greinke was filthy good, locating his fastball & slider early, then dominating with the curve as the game wore on. As bad as Yo's location was yesterday, Zack's location was a complete 180 today.
Hart started it off with an absolute bomb to LF, followed by a monster to center in the 6th.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Again, the only ones upset about showing proof that you're a legal voter, are those that enjoy the advantage ILLEGAL voting gets them...
Jeff Scott Soto "Damage Control" review
I've now lived with the highly anticipated follow up to JSS's 2008 "Beautiful Mess" release, aptly, yet unnecessarily, entitled "Damage Control" for about a week. I say "unnecessarily" because JSS took some flak for turning to a more mature, introspective angle on "Beautiful Mess", rather than stay with the tried & true heavy AOR he's known for.
I have always tried to stay open-minded with Jeff, mostly because his vocal range is so dynamic, if you ignore one aspect of it, you'll miss some amazing stuff. This slab of tunes is a wonderful mix of all that is great about JSS & why I hold him in such high regard. Let's get to it...
The album lead, "Give A Little More" kicks in with a nice modern riff. In fact, this entire song feels like it could have been on the criminally underrated "Lost In The Translation" from '05. Good, solid hard rocker to open.
Next up is "Damage Control". Andrew from MelodicRock.com felt this song was Jeff's way of saying "Thanks for coming with me on the last cd, here's the classic Jeff" and I can't disagree too much with that. The chorus "Put aside my vanity, this is damage control" may explain that, but really, this tune has some LOTT & BMess in it: more modern, crunching riff, melodic bridge.
First single & video "Look Inside Your Heart" brings the soaring vocals to the forefront. This song is in the vein of the phenomenal W.E.T. project a couple years ago. This is Jeff's wheelhouse & he offers up a wonderful slice of melodic rock here. If you do nothing else with this review, click on the link & enjoy.
"Die A Little" may well end up on many Song Of The Year lists. JSS knows how to write a hook & on this one he pulls in the big marlin. The bridge alone is enough, but then the chorus hits & you're singing into the end of your hairbrush before you realize it.
And lest we forget JSS can metal-up when needed, here comes "Take U Down". Very reminiscent of the Talisman project with the late Marcel Jacob. Grooving riff & Jeff gets to throw a little gravel on the voice. This tune is only available on the Deluxe Edition, though.
"If I Never Let Her Go" is a nod to the Prism/LOTT era. If you don't whistle this after hearing it, you may be dead inside.
"Tears That I Cry" has a driving rhythm in the verses that gives way to a chorus that could've come off the last W.E.T. disc.
The ballad finally makes an appearance with "Bonafide", which could've been on Beautiful Mess. Classic, classic, classic JSS vocals, full of warmth, feeling, & nuance.
Deluxe Edition #2, "Elena" is another W.E.T./Prism groove, with a soaring bridge & flowing chorus. Nice mid-tempo rocker in true JSS style.
"Krazy World" is krazy indeed. Not at all out of place on LOTT, another reminder that JSS can metal with the best metalers on the planet.
"How To Love Again" carries us back to the AOR side of the ledger, again with tinges of W.E.T. & Prism very prevalent. Awesome background vocals in the bridge & chorus, which is melodically soaring & memorable all at once.
This song features some amazing harmony vocals in all facets.
"Afterworld"... Yes, this please. Heavy, attitude, reminds me of the vocal style from LOTT. Again, Jeff seems to be saying "You like those melodic grooves, here's some of the rough"
"Neverending World" starts off with a child reciting the Lord's Prayer, segueing into a moody verse section & less obvious chorus.
Final Deluxe Edition track "Afraid To Die" could've come from the Evanescence catalogue. Moody groove, modern sound. In fact, if JSS had gotten Amy Lee, this song may have entered another level.
Overall, if I was going to present a career overview of Jeff Scott Soto, this disc would be Exhibit 1. A great mix of career influences & catalogue. On top of the great songwriting & vocals, JSS has assembled a backing group comprised of the great Dave Meniketti from Y&T & Joel Hoekstra of Night Ranger, among others.
A solo disc 4 years in the making and it doesn't disappoint. Everything you expect from one of the greatest voices in rock, you get ad infinitum.
I have always tried to stay open-minded with Jeff, mostly because his vocal range is so dynamic, if you ignore one aspect of it, you'll miss some amazing stuff. This slab of tunes is a wonderful mix of all that is great about JSS & why I hold him in such high regard. Let's get to it...
The album lead, "Give A Little More" kicks in with a nice modern riff. In fact, this entire song feels like it could have been on the criminally underrated "Lost In The Translation" from '05. Good, solid hard rocker to open.
Next up is "Damage Control". Andrew from MelodicRock.com felt this song was Jeff's way of saying "Thanks for coming with me on the last cd, here's the classic Jeff" and I can't disagree too much with that. The chorus "Put aside my vanity, this is damage control" may explain that, but really, this tune has some LOTT & BMess in it: more modern, crunching riff, melodic bridge.
First single & video "Look Inside Your Heart" brings the soaring vocals to the forefront. This song is in the vein of the phenomenal W.E.T. project a couple years ago. This is Jeff's wheelhouse & he offers up a wonderful slice of melodic rock here. If you do nothing else with this review, click on the link & enjoy.
"Die A Little" may well end up on many Song Of The Year lists. JSS knows how to write a hook & on this one he pulls in the big marlin. The bridge alone is enough, but then the chorus hits & you're singing into the end of your hairbrush before you realize it.
And lest we forget JSS can metal-up when needed, here comes "Take U Down". Very reminiscent of the Talisman project with the late Marcel Jacob. Grooving riff & Jeff gets to throw a little gravel on the voice. This tune is only available on the Deluxe Edition, though.
"If I Never Let Her Go" is a nod to the Prism/LOTT era. If you don't whistle this after hearing it, you may be dead inside.
"Tears That I Cry" has a driving rhythm in the verses that gives way to a chorus that could've come off the last W.E.T. disc.
The ballad finally makes an appearance with "Bonafide", which could've been on Beautiful Mess. Classic, classic, classic JSS vocals, full of warmth, feeling, & nuance.
Deluxe Edition #2, "Elena" is another W.E.T./Prism groove, with a soaring bridge & flowing chorus. Nice mid-tempo rocker in true JSS style.
"Krazy World" is krazy indeed. Not at all out of place on LOTT, another reminder that JSS can metal with the best metalers on the planet.
"How To Love Again" carries us back to the AOR side of the ledger, again with tinges of W.E.T. & Prism very prevalent. Awesome background vocals in the bridge & chorus, which is melodically soaring & memorable all at once.
This song features some amazing harmony vocals in all facets.
"Afterworld"... Yes, this please. Heavy, attitude, reminds me of the vocal style from LOTT. Again, Jeff seems to be saying "You like those melodic grooves, here's some of the rough"
"Neverending World" starts off with a child reciting the Lord's Prayer, segueing into a moody verse section & less obvious chorus.
Final Deluxe Edition track "Afraid To Die" could've come from the Evanescence catalogue. Moody groove, modern sound. In fact, if JSS had gotten Amy Lee, this song may have entered another level.
Overall, if I was going to present a career overview of Jeff Scott Soto, this disc would be Exhibit 1. A great mix of career influences & catalogue. On top of the great songwriting & vocals, JSS has assembled a backing group comprised of the great Dave Meniketti from Y&T & Joel Hoekstra of Night Ranger, among others.
A solo disc 4 years in the making and it doesn't disappoint. Everything you expect from one of the greatest voices in rock, you get ad infinitum.
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