Has it really been 4 years since the debut recording of W.E.T.? It's a rare feat that a first album can stay that fresh, regardless of genre. So to see the band reunite for a sophomore effort makes one excited and anxious. Well, anxiety be damned, because this group of gentlemen aren't the best of the best for no reason. Jeff, Erik, Robert, et al deliver nothing but what you would expect from their collective union: soaring vocals, powerful hooks, driving rhythms, and some of the best songwriting on the globe.
So without further ado, let's dive in to the lead track "Walk Away", which starts off the way any album should: energy, fire, and a pronouncement of what is coming for the next 60 or so minutes. A massive driving beat brings an urgency to the verse section, transitioning to a Journey-esque chorus. JSS is in his best AOR throat, pushing the upper limits of his versatile range. One thing I really like about Erik Martensson's songwriting is the tightness, keeping the listener wanting more.
Track two & lead single, "Learn To Love Again" is reminiscent of "One Love" from the debut. The difference is Erik & Jeff trade off vocals in the verse, providing a wonderful contrast of melodic styles. This track also features some driving guitar riffs. I defy anyone to not hum this melody after first listen. A nice one-two punch to open the disc.
Up next is the album's namesake "Rise Up". I'll be honest here, I was into this tune up until the chorus which just didn't grab me like the two previous tracks. Now don't get me wrong, it's a good song, but maybe could've been dropped lower in the order. Again, not a lot of wasted energy here: concise, galloping melodic rock.
Ballad #1 & second single: "Love Heals" at first listen sounds like another cookie-cutter of the genre. I just can't help getting lost in JSS at the top of his range, pushing for every ounce of emotion written on the page. The emoting continues through the solo & into the wonderful, arm-raising, "Whoa-oh" sing-along immediately following. If I need to sum up this song in one word, it would be "soaring".
"What You Want"... well, more of this wouldn't suck. A haunting single guitar riff starts everything off, before moving into a driving mid-tempo verse featuring some beautiful band vocals. The chorus is pure melodic rock heaven, huge and flowing. It really almost grabs you into the rest of the song. Another example of this group of players coming together to form a BAND, not just a gimmick.
We've come to "The Moment", which almost sounds like something Khymera would write. I would imagine JSS had a big hand in this song considering the driving beat & Journey undertones. While it's nothing special, there's something about this song that I just can't deny. Maybe it's the sun-roof-open, cranking-on-a-summer-day feel. Whatever it is, it's just a perfect place for an upbeat rocker.
"Bad Boy", the purported album opener... there seems to be some backlash on this song, though I don't see why. It's a great, upbeat rock song, almost in the spirit of Sammy Hagar melded with Rick Springfield, if that makes any sense whatsoever. Bottom line, it's FUN & fun is fun. Well... this is fun.
Track #8, "On The Run", hits the ears & hits it like a hammer. There's a little Talisman feel to the intro, proving once again these guys are taking the best of each & creating something special. Driving, driving groove in the verses gives way to a chorus more in line with their debut: laid back, melodic, multi-layered.
"Broken Wings" starts with a flurry of instruments creating a lush waterfall for a Mr Big "Take Cover"-like verse riff. The chorus is pure, unadulterated full & huge. I could see this song ending the album as it really brings a calm to the listener. Stick around for the outro guitar... stunning.
Now we come to what, for me at least, is the shining jewel of the disc, "Shot". There are so many elements of the respective bands involved, I simply cannot decide what part of this song is the best: verse, bridge, chorus. Some see this as a throwaway, but there's more there than meets the ear, shall we say. Dark, tension, driving beat, the genius of one Jeff Scott Soto... "You've gone and broke another promise, you think I should've known the truth from the start". There's so much emotion in the vocal and urgency in the music, I find myself coming back to this song the most.
Ballad #2, "Still Believe In Us". Here's a challenge: find another rock ballad written, performed, and emoted this well. What an incredible chorus. JSS at his underrated finest. You would never know these guys were thrown together and haven't been a band for a decade. Simply beautiful from note one to note one-hundred.
We've come to the closer, "Still Unbroken" and while it seems the ride hasn't been long enough, everything good must end. And end in sparkling fashion it does. Just another example of the many talents of Erik Martensson. This doesn't have the soaring chorus of previous album closer "If I Fall", but more the power of Soto's latest solo finisher "Afraid To Die". Metal muscle delivered by all involved: galloping groove, massive solo, and towards the end, JSS throws a little gravel on the voice for the final lines. A fitting end to a more than capable sophomore disc.
Whew! I'm spent... Obviously, the first disc, written mainly by Martensson, was a massive hit worldwide and re-energized the genre, but this is a wonderful follow-up, chock full of everything you would expect from the boys. I've always loved JSS versatility vocally and I think he's brought some nice elements into the songwriting. Erik Martensson is without a doubt at the forefront of the melodic rock genre & can seemingly do no wrong, as evidenced by Eclipse's new disc "Bleed & Scream".
Bottom line here, if you don't come away whistling these songs you may need to check your heartbeat. This isn't throwaway, formulaic crap... this is talent writ large on all fronts. Stellar production, concise songwriting, epic performances.
