There’s never a dull moment in the life of guitarist Joel Hoekstra. After he left Night Ranger – a perfect fit for him in my book – in 2014 to join Whitesnake (he also filled in for Mick Jones from time to time while in Night Ranger) he’s been one busy camper. Parallel to the job in Whitesnake he also played with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Cher, he worked with Michael Sweet (Stryper) on his solo-stuff, he joined Iconic with Sweet, Marco Mendoza, Tommy Aldridge and Nathan James and he kicked off his solo band 13 plus becoming part of the new line-up of Revolution Saints together with bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer/lead singer Deen Castronovo. We all need something to fill our days with, right? So why not strike while the iron’s hot, then? So here’s the third 13 album, now with singer Girish Pradhan (Girish & The Chronicles, The End Machine).
The opening with the driving melodic Hard Rock belter “Everybody Knows Everything” works like a charm. It’s an edgy, in-your-face and rowdy rocker with a cracking riff, a ballsy rhythm section and a roaring organ. It’s a kicking number with a distinct live-feel all over with a classic Hard Rock melody arrangement and a punchy refrain. Good one. The title track is more 80’s laden Hard Rock with a big Arena Rock vibe. The crunchy riff and distinct vocal melodies are carried by a powerful rhythm with some Melodic Rock driven melodies and a chorus hook that holds a whole bunch of catchiness. Very good.
Hoekstra & co. stays on the 80’s route with “Damaged Goods” albeit with a Metal twist when it comes to the riffage and a slightly darker atmosphere. The song comes in a Dio meets Rainbow style which brings on some 70’s vibes as well and a solo influenced by The Man In Black himself – Ritchie Blackmore. It’s heavy and crunchy yet melodic with a catchy enough refrain. The latest single “Torn Into Lies” is a ballad. The song contains some smooth melodies but also slight prog-related structures and some jazzy parts. It holds a dreamy soundscape within a big soundscape but the grand chorus takes the song into power ballad territory. This is great.
On a heavier note, “Far Too Deep” – the leading single – holds a dramatic arrangement on a punchy and robust note. The song flirts with the 90’s and comes off as almost alternative where parts of the song reminds me of mid 90’s Dokken. It’s a powerful, earthy and gritty number that holds some striking melodies and a beefy rhythm. It’s a good tune but doesn’t really take off. “Not Tonight” is a slammin’, raunchy and dirty rocker with gritty and crunchy guitars on a kicking groove. The solo part is slower and deeper on a heavier 70’s note complete with an edgy guitar and an organ. It’s a groovy live-friendly number where the verses are better and more catchy than the chorus.
It’s ballad-time again when “Over You” joins in. It’s a classic 80’s power ballad, mellow with a melancholic atmosphere and smooth and slick vocal melodies. It’s a down-beat and emotional slow-burner, not too glossy with big melodies and lots of harmonies and a huge chorus made for arenas with belonging lighters in the air. Good stuff indeed. “I would Cry For Love” is a more direct and upbeat rocker on a faster note. The tune belongs in the late 70’s and reminds me of a time when Whitesnake was Whitesnake for real with a bluesy undertone and direct melodies on a straight ahead rhythm. It’s a juicy and punchy rocker but without being bad the chorus could be stronger.
“Don’t Have Words” continues on the path of its predecessor and goes on crunchy and juicy on a straight forward rhythm with driving guitars and rough-edged beats. Also in the vein of old Whitesnake albeit a bit rougher and harder the song takes a late 70’s vibe yet with melodies and arrangements that hail from the late 80’s. It’s a good, chunky tune with a hooky refrain. Good one. “Find A Way” is a heavier and more raunchy Hard Rock stomper with a clear nod to Deep Purple with its vintage organ arrangements and a bluesier outlook. There are some more 80’s smelling riffage involved and the same goes for the vocal-melodies. It also holds a distinct, catchy refrain with a hitty outlook. Good stuff.
“You’re Right For Me” also brings on a bluesier vibe where a slight Southern Rock touch is joined by a crunchy, Cinderella-esque touch where the blues-rock swagger meets a more Melodic Rock tinged vibe. The song is big on smooth, pop-laden melody-hooks, a catchy main riff and some Arena Rock melodies where the chorus lifts the song. It’s catchy as hell so why isn’t it a single? Closer “Through The Night” is an AOR tinted, 80’s laden semi-ballad with some slick and easy-on-the-ear vocal-lines. The tune holds a summer-vibe and feels like a warm breeze with some nice harmonies and a big chorus full of hit-potential. Good one.
Hoekstra’s last two 13 albums might not have been earth-shattering or revolutionary by any means. Those two were pretty standard melodic Hard Rock albums, nothing new under the sun but what they had was singers like Russell Allen (Symphony X) and Jeff Scott Soto and memorable songs that stuck. No shadow over Girish Pradhan but in all honesty he kind of pales when compared to those two. Also he has a tendency to be at full blast all the time so a little more variation would be welcomed. The rhythm section of Vinny Appice (Dio) and Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm) is the same on all three albums but what this album doesn’t have to the same extent is songs that linger. This is not a bad album by any means and it is enjoyable while listening but where the last albums were memorable in the long run this one just isn’t. The songs falls into oblivion too fast – even the really good ones. I really like listening to the album but the urge to do so comes too seldom for comfort.
5/10
More Joel Hoeckstra’s 13 reviews:
Tracklist:
1. Everybody Knows Everything
2. Crash Of Life
3. Damaged Goods
4. Torn Into Lies
5. Far Too Deep
6. Not Tonight
7. Over You
8. I Would Cry For Love
9. Don’t Have Words
10. Find A Way
11. You’re Right For Me
12. Through The Night
CD & Festival reviews 