Back in 1988 Dare released what today is looked upon as an iconic, legendary even, AOR album, an album hailed as one of the best AOR albums ever released – Out Of The Silence. And rightfully so as it’s more or less a damn masterpiece with killer tunes from beginning to end. However, a three year gap until the next album made the band lose the momentum of said record and when Blood From Stone, a damn good album in its own right, the music scene had changed and the glossy sound of the 80’s had changed to a much harder and sleazier outlook. Also, Grunge was right around the corner. The album was great but it also sounded as a compromise and somewhat forced as it was a way, way heavier album than the debut. It didn’t really sound like Dare.
After that Dare went on hiatus for seven years and when they came back, the sound was way more down-beat, low-key and mellow – it wasn’t even AOR or Melodic Rock. The records were still good though albeit much harder to embrace and they needed their fair share of spins to stick. Back in 2016, Dare was back with their first share of new music in, again, seven years and this time, a sound more similar to the debut was promised. Also, lead singer, keyboardist and band leader, ex Thin Lizzy guy Darren Wharton had brought back his partner and co-song writer, guitarist Vinny Burns, who left the band back in 1992, back into the fold. The album, Sacred Ground, was great. That said, it did look back at their debut but not all the way through.
“Born In The Storm” that opens the album is more Blood From Stone than Out Of The Silence, though. It opens with a raunchy guitar intro and when the song gets going it’s with a heavier and darker approach, more Hard Rock than AOR albeit with the Celtic touches that’s Dare’s signature. It’s guitar driven on a foundation of punchy drums and pumping bass but it also holds a smoother synth in the background and the chorus is distinct with a killer hook that’s classic Dare all the way. Brilliant. “Cradle To The Grave” holds on to the Celtic vibes and it also blends an upbeat pace with some melancholic undertones and some slightly U2-ish melody-lines. Otherwise it’s classic Dare, quite smooth with catchy Melodic Rock melodies but never glossy or mawkish. The chorus is brilliant. Great tune.
Starting out soft and low-key, “Fire Never Fades” continues on a more upbeat and faster note with a crispy and instant guitar riff. There are down-beat and almost folk-ballad laden passages which makes for a dynamic contrast while the Celtic influences is prominent all over the song. Another big and catchy chorus that’s a throwback to Dare’s 80’s takes the tune for the win. Brilliant track. The titular track “Road To Eden” kicks off with a crunchy rhythm on a muscular ground with more Celtic twists and a darker atmosphere. Even though it holds the Dare melancholy that’s often involved in their tunes, the song’s also uplifting with some slick melodies and the chorus goes back to the AOR-isms of the debut with a huge hook and some direct catchiness. An awesome number.
“Lovers And Friends” is a mellow, down-beat and fragile piano-led ballad with synth-strings and a silky soundscape. It’s a heartfelt, stripped down and heartfelt song. The vocal melodies are quite smooth and soothing where the brittle performance holds every ounce of glossiness at bay. It’s a song that grabs a hold right off the bat without any sugar or cheese involved. Very good. “Only The Good Die Young” is a distinct, upbeat Celtic pop-rocker that hails both Philip Lynott and Gary Moore. It starts with a piano-led intro but moves up into an AOR-ish pomp that has New Jersey era Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Don Henley blending with classic Dare melodies with some saddening undertones. The refrain is massive and hook is immediate. A fantastic tune that knocked me for six!
“Grace” is a more darker turn on AOR with Celtic undertones on a more laid-back note right on the threshold to balladry. The second verse is on the same route as the first, only somewhat beefier with a fuller rhythm section sound. The chorus lifts the song a bit as it gets more raunchy and upbeat with hooky pop-lines to die for. Love it. ” I Always Will” is a direct and uptempo pop-rocker with a contagious vocal-melody that effectively catches on right from hello. It’s a melancholic yet positive number where guitars and keyboards meets on equal ground and Dare’s late 80’s makes itself reminded. We just love this, don’t we?
On a darker and more robust note “The Devil Rides Tonight” takes a more straight ahead and in-your-face structure with a hard-beating drum sound and an edgy guitar and you get the feeling of more Hard Rock than AOR albeit with Darren Wharton’s personal voice and Dare’s classic melodies. With big melodies and an instantly hooky chorus the song could very well be a future live opener. Very good. Closing track “Thy Kingdom Come” is also Hard Rock laden – heavy, raunchy and darker with a cranking guitar – Burns’ solo is glistening – on a punchy and tough beat. There’s also a big keyboards involved to smoothen things out a bit and Wharton’s vocals are somewhat silky but it never ever gets glossy. The chorus is a winner too. Great.
When I reviewed Sacred Ground I wrote that it was their best since the debut. Well, that now applies to this one. Quality wise, I guess they’re (kind of) equal but what makes this record the better of the two is that it comes off as more diverse. Is it a back to the AOR Out Of The Silence roots then? Well both yes and no. There are definitely traces of that era but as a whole, Dare goes both into harder and edgy places and softer ditto. But no matter where they take the music, the melodies are all of classic Dare character and every song throws out infectious hooks. I can’t find one weak song or a filler here. If this album will get the iconic status the debut did only time will tell but after numerous of spins I think it belongs up there. Highly recommended!
8/10
More Dare reviews:
Sacred Ground
Out Of The Silence II
Tracklist:
1. Born In The Storm
2. Cradle To The Grave
3. Fire Never Fades
4. Road To Eden
5. Lovers And Friends
6. Only The Good Die Young
7. Grace
8. I Always Will
9. The Devil Rides Tonight
10. Thy Kingdom Come
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