I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that a band with a name like Captain Black Beard plays AOR. In my book, that name is more fit for a Metal band or something in that vein. For some reason, these guys has never gotten the recognition they deserve. After putting out five high-quality records full of catchy, melodic Hard Rock and AOR since 2011, the band should really be bigger than they are. Fact is, the band still works in the shadows for some reason but after getting stronger by each release something should’ve happened by now. Well, to give in seems to not be in their vocabulary and only two years after the release of their last album Sonic Forces a new album comes our way and hopefully this will be the one that sets the record straight and brings them up another step on the ladder of success.
The opening leading single “Flamenco” hasn’t all that much with flamenco to do musically. What we do get is an upbeat and very glossy 80’s AOR number, slick and smooth where they spice up the AOR with some twin-leads in the vein of Thin Lizzy, some riffage with a nod towards old-style Metal and a danceable beat. The chorus is a monster with an instant hook and the song is fun-loving and affable – and I guess you could do the flamenco to it if you want to. Very good. The following “We’re The Forgiven” keeps the pace up. It’s a powerful AOR-rocker with immediate melodies, an uplifting approach and a smoothness perfect for warm summer days with cocktails in hand. Good stuff.
Second single “Physical” keeps the tempo up and blends some bonafide Hard Rock riffing with a disco flirting beat. It’s infectiously groovy, slick and 80’s glossy – and drips with neon colours. It might not be the deepest song in the world but it’s so contagious and hooky I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I wanted to. This is a hit, in my book. Terrific. “Moment Of Truth” brings on a crunchier soundscape where the staccato riffage is a equal parts guitars and keyboards. It’s not heavy but it is a heavier version of AOR with an edge and a beefier rhythm. It brings on a more live-friendly vibe complete with a striking chorus perfect for the stage. Good one.
The riff-happy – and latest single – “Wasted Heart” is one groovy stomper. It’s energetic, upbeat and live-friendly even though it’s a mid-paced number. It lands somewhere n the borderlands of AOR and Melodic Rock so there’s a certain gloss and big keyboards involved but the crunchy guitars and the solid beat gives the song an edge. The chorus is massive and impossible to stand up to, so infectious it hurts. Very good. The faster and rowdier “Night Reaction” draws towards classic Hard Rock albeit with a smoother outlook and AOR-laden arrangements. It holds a driving rhythm and a late-night party vibe. It’s a hooky number with a monster refrain that hits right from get-go. The guitar-keyboard duel at the end is really cool too. Very good.
“Chains Of Love” brings on more raunchy riffing and a ballsy stomp but also layers of 80’s sounding keyboards and slick melodies – this song takes me back to the golden days of 1987 all over again. It’s a mid-paced tune with a very strong main melody, slick hooks and a grandiose, 80’s chorus that drips with catchiness. I dig. “Burning Daylight” is a slower piece with held-back vocals and glossy keyboards but it also contains some Metal fused double kick-drumming, a beefy bass-line and a juicy riff. It takes on a slightly faster tempo when the chorus shows up, a chorus that will get stuck in your head for days. Next single? Very good.
“Break (Into Forever)” also starts out on a slower, more laid-back note but soon goes upbeat and tougher carried by a direct and straight ahead beat. Again, the band sets sails towards a Hard Rock structure but keeps the AOR melody-arrangements and a big and distinct refrain. Art times it reminds me a bit of Journey which in my book is only a good thing. Good one. “Invincible” is an uptempo yet smooth rocker built upon a powerhouse rhythm where guitars and keyboards shares the space equally and both song structure and sound creates another 80’s time-machine through neon-tinted glasses. A good tune but not remarkable.
“State Of Denial” is the closest we get to a ballad on this record. It’s a slower paced, pink n’ fluffy, AOR-pop number with a more held-back approach. The tune is an upbeat semi-ballad and the glossiest and most sugary tune on the record with caressing and colorful melodies. The chorus is smooth and very memorable with a big dose of hit-potential. The closing title-track is a short acoustic guitar/keyboard instrumental and comes across more as an outro than an actual song. As the the last song on the album it feels a bit misplaced and even unnecessary, but then again, they’re not the first band to close off with an outro.
To take the path down the neon-colored 80’s with pink, blue and red flashing lights seems to be a thing right now and Captain Black Beard joins in with this record. Always an AOR band, the guys this time has probably made their most fluffy and glossy record to date. This could easily have been an album full of unreleased 80’s tunes. What I dig about CBB is that they don’t sound like all the thirteen-a-dozen Scandi-AOR bands out there but holds an identity of their own. The down-side is that the production is at times a bit stale and compressed, it would have benefitted from being a bit more lively. That said, this is still a a solid record and if 80’s neon-dressed AOR/Melodic Rock is your bag, don’t miss out.
7/10
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Tracklist:
1. Flamenco
2. We’re The Forgiven
3. Physical
4. Moment Of Truth
5. Wasted Heart
6. Night Reaction
7. Chains Of Love
8. Burning Daylight
9. Break (Into Forever)
10. Invincible
11. State Of Denial
12. Neon Sunrise
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