Album review overview: Axel Rudi Pell, Lightning Strikes and more
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are way too many to listen to them all, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why today we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.
Walter Smith III – Twio Vol. 2
This one is for the jazz purists, as tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III returns to the classic trio with only drums and bass as a minimal rhythm section, allowing maximum freedom for improvisation. In such a small arrangement, everything depends on that improvisation: it must captivate from beginning to end in structure, melody, expression and tone colour. That happens to be the speciality of this American musician. There is a reason he is affiliated with the Berklee College of Music, because on “Twio Vol. 2” (a playful variation on the word “trio”), we hear a masterclass in timing and control. As a foundation, Smith III uses jazz standards and pieces from the American Songbook, including old-fashioned swing in “Casual-lee”. Familiar, yet at the same time material that lends itself to a new interpretation in which simplicity is the guiding principle. The result: pure jazz. Nothing more, nothing less. Only those wordplays. Honestly, please. (Jeroen Mulder) (7/10) (UMG Recordings)
Waterbaby – Memory Be a Blade
The Stockholm singer-songwriter Kendra Egerbladh, better known as Waterbaby, releases her debut album “Memory Be a Blade” on Sub Pop, following the EP “Foam” from 2023. The eight-track album is darker and more personal than her earlier work and emerged while two relationships brought new colour to her life, causing the meaning of the songs to shift during the recording process. Her lyrics, largely improvised in front of the microphone, sound discovered rather than constructed. Together with regular collaborator Marcus White, a sound emerged that moves between the indie folk of Clairo and the more metallised textures of Oklou, enriched with strings, brass and piano reflecting her classical background. The title single is sublime alt-pop, “Amiss” asks vulnerable questions about self-worth, and “Beck n Call” and “Clay” give her brother the chance to rap along. (Norman van den Wildenberg) (8/10) (Sub Pop)
Lightning Strikes – The King Is Victorious
Lightning Strikes is an ambitious project led by drummer Karpis Maksudian, who also produced the album together with Roy Z. The classic heavy metal with strong 1980s influences is performed by a battalion of super musicians. The guitarists appearing on “The King Is Victorious” are Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson/Halford), Rowan Robertson and Craig Goldy (both Dio), Rob Math (Leatherwolf), Dario Mollo (Voodoo Hill), Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill) and Takehiko “Shake” Kogure (Red Warriors). As guest keyboardist, we have Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Black Country Communion/Sons Of Apollo). The core band members are no rookies either. Keyboardist Michael T. Ross (Angel/Lita Ford), bassist Barry Sparks (Michael Schenker Group/Yngwie Malmsteen), guitarist Norifumi Shima (Concerto Moon), who plays with a delightful Michael Schenker vibe, and Argentine singer Mariano Gardello, who is the only one of these giants still an unknown quantity. The cover features an imposing king and visually translates what you can expect from this album. Glorious music from glorious musicians. (Ad Keepers) (8/10) (Rubicon Music)
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – We Are Together Again
On his 31st studio album, Will Oldham returns to his “Louisville-first” approach after the Nashville-oriented “The Purple Bird”. Recorded at the End of an Ear studio in Louisville with a large ensemble of family members and musical friends, including brother Ned on bass and cousin Ryder McNair on string arrangements, “We Are Together Again” is his most symphonic record to date. The album is structured as a diptych: opener “Why Is the Lion?” and closing track “Bride of the Lion” are two versions of the same song, posed as metaphysical questions about fear and community. In between lies a collection of folk compositions with mixed vocals, flute, harp and electronic textures that evoke a sense of shared humanity. “They Keep Trying to Find You” is a moving ballad, “Davey Dead” combines harps and strings with a tragic story, and “Strange Trouble” paraphrases David Bowie in an unexpectedly effective way. (Anton Dupont) (8/10) (Domino/No Quarter)
Axel Rudi Pell – Ghost Town
With powerful riffs and catchy melodies, guitar legend Axel Rudi Pell has managed to captivate his fans for more than 35 years. His newest album is called “Ghost Town”. After the instrumental “The Regicide”, “Guillotine Walk” follows. A man has been sentenced to death; on his way to the scaffold, he looks back on his life. Besides the guitar playing, there is certainly room for melancholy. “Breaking Seals” is a duet with Udo Dirkschneider. “The Enemy Within” has a surprising, slow intro. The lyrics deal with the inner demons people struggle with. The pace picks up again in “Hurricane”. In the power ballad “Towards The Shore” you hear piano tones that form a beautiful harmony with the guitar playing. The instrumental start of “Higher Call” is serene, the layered vocals suitably calm. The intensity increases, yet the balance is preserved. Naturally, you hear plenty of guitar playing, with various recurring details. The music features pleasant tempo and volume changes, although the build-up is sometimes predictable. Johnny Gioeli’s rock voice fits the music perfectly. All the “ingredients” together form an enjoyable rock album. (Esther Kessel-Tamerus) (7/10) (Steamhammer)
