CD REVIEW: RATED X – Rated X

Label: Frontiers Music SRL

Release Date: November 10, 2014

Rating: 10/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Classic rock.  It brings different images, sounds, and emotions for everyone.  One of the several voices I include in that genre is that of Joe Lynn Turner.  His latest project, the super group known as Rated X is classic from first song to last.  “Get Back My Crown” has a heavy classic sound thanks to the keyboards and heavy bottom end.  Turner’s vocals add magic to the mix and give us the discs first runaway track.  This is going to be one fun ride!  “This Is Who I Am” opens with a killer Karl Cochran guitar riff and phenomenal drumming from Carmine Appice.  The song drives itself and shines from every angle, especially the vocals and Tony Franklin’s bass lines.  “I Don’t Cry No More” has a heavy British feel, thanks again to the heavy keyboards and driving bottom end.  The feel of this track draws from JLT’s Deep Purple days.  This track features Nikolo Kotsev on lead guitars.  “Devil In Disguise” comes straight at you with guitars that scream classic rock.  The drums and bass follow along and keep the song from veering of its path.  “Peace Of Mind” is another track that smacks of that classic British feel, that also features Kotzev’s guitars along with Karl Cochran on lead.  The charging bass and drums give this a driving beat that accompanies the chugging riffs.  “On The Way To Paradise” gives the disc another solid rocker that marries the different sounds from the other tracks on the disc and filters the best parts to create this gem, including more Appice drums and Franklin bass that drives the tempo and vibe.

“Fire And Ice” opens with a different sound from the preceeding tracks in the tracklist, but this slow tempo rocker still delivers the goods as the familiar voice is thrown on top the solid playing from the other stars in this project.  The rhythm section of Appice and Franklin is all the anchor this song and disc needs.  “Lhasa” is a cool piece that clocks in at over seven minutes in length.  The vibe on this song reflects the bands different influences and own ties to the British hard rock sound.  The keyboards, bass, and vocals stand out and give this song a special feel.  “You Are The Music” slows things down a bit at the intro, but don’t mistake slow for less heavy.  This track, which features Daniel Palmqvist on guitars, gives us some of the best vocals on the disc.  Listening to Turner’s lower register, as well as the rest of his vocal range, demonstrates why he is one of the best around.  “Maybe Tonight” is a solid track that gives us a stripped down groove that exemplifies all that is great about the classic rock songs from rocks past.  The vocals are tight and allow the rest of the band to shine through without any one player driving the song or sound.  “Our Love Is Not Over” comes knocking and slows things down again, giving the disc its lone ballad.  The way the vocals mix with the guitars  and rhythm section keeps things light, yet hard hitting, much like the rest of the disc.  Disc closer “Stranger In Us All” ties all of the songs on this disc together with a charging track that gives us a great mixture of the band and their abilities.  Let’s hope these guys take this to the next level and tour the disc and go back into the studio and deliver more new classic rock!

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Category: CD Reviews