As a big fan of American arena-rockers Autograph, I was pleased to hear that they had decided to reunite. That was back in 2013. Ok, so original lead vocalist/guitarist/main song writer Steve Plunkett had decided to not participate which, to be honest, was a bit of a red flag for me. With original keyboarder Steven Isham diseased in 2008 and drummer Keni Richards bailing out for health reasons – he also died in 2017 – only two guys remained – guitarist Steve Lynch and bassist Randy Rand. Rand and Lynch brought in rhythm guitarist and singer Simon Daniels and drummer Mark Wieland and started touring. In 2016 they released their new effort called Get Off Your Ass, an underwhelming record that didn’t do justice to the old albums one bit. Very disappointing.
Apparently Lynch thought the same and jumped ship shortly after the album was released, leaving Rand as the sole original member. Rand, however, didn’t give up and hired House Of Lords guitarist Jimi Bell as Lynch’s replacement and started to work on new music. Tragedy would strike Autograph once more. Right before the release of this record, Rand passed away too, making this release a bittersweet affair. The rest of the guys has decided to keep the name alive without any original members with Steve Unger (Metal Church) filling Rand’s place. Lynch however is of a different opinion and has filed a law-suit against the band saying they’re not allowed to use the Autograph moniker. The band states that it was Rand’s wish that they’d continue and it’s therefore their right to do so. What will happen with this mess remains to be seen.
Opener and lead-off single “This Ain’t The Place I Wanna Be” bursts off in a party mood like 1989 never went away, Grunge never happened and the Sunset Strip was still the hottest place to be. It’s an upbeat and happy-go-lucky tattooed and drunken party stomper that blends old Autograph with new. It’s crispy, fun-loving and live-friendly Arena Rock with sharp hooks and a chorus stickier than wall-paper glue. Clichéd yes but it’s done with love and conviction and I really dig this one. Also very much late 80’s sounding “Your Slave Tonight” is sleazier and raunchier fueled with attitude. Cheesy lyrics are combined with a heavier outlook and edgy guitars and another pretty catchy refrain. It’s a good song but a few steps from being great.
The raunchiness sleaze-vibes continues in “Everything”, a song that sounds like this kinda music did when the 80’s became the 90’s. The vocal melodies goes into Melodic Rock territory which brings on a certain memorability but the chorus is somewhat flat and has a hard time sticking. It’s an ok track but too middle-of-the-road with nothing that could tell us that this actually is Autograph. The same fate affects “Gonna Getcha”, another sleaze-laden number with raw and raunchy guitars and a kicking rhythm that sounds like too many lack of identity bands did that arrived in Hollywood in the early 90’s. Again, it’s a decent tune but the lack of personality and not enough hooks makes it standard where nothing really stands out.
The single “Take Me Higher” is a good enough try to go back to the band’s mid 80’s. It’s a semi-ballad Arena Rock tune with a not so little Def Leppard influence thrown in – and the song “Hysteria” especially. It’s a smooth tune with big AOR vibes with layers of harmonies which brings the melody-hooks forward another step. The chorus is damn catchy and back in the day, this could have been on MTV on high rotation. Good one indeed. “Run For Your Life” is darker and mellower with a melodic Hard Rock vibe that is more 1992 than 1986. The chorus is of a bigger model with lots of in-your-face gang-vocals. It’s pretty good but the hook could be sharper.
The pop-laden “Beautiful Disaster” comes on strong with a nice groove, a solid beat and a fat, crunchy riff. It’s quite a punchy rocker with clear nods back to the old days but 80’s Kiss and mid to late 80’s Aerosmith also comes to mind. it’s a crispy tune that dwells inside a big soundscape with a distinct chorus on top. Good one. “Love Is A Double Edge Sword” is a stompy arena-rocker in mid tempo with some pop-loving melodies and a crowd-friendly rhythm. It’s a very mid 80’s track that makes you feel like time has stood still since those days and even though it might not sound like the Autograph of old, the style is there at least. It’s a good song for sure with a chorus hook that will have you humming it for days.
On a more straight ahead note “Heart Of Stone” holds a big filler alert all the way through. It’s also very much a clear nod to the Autograph of old with a big American, Sunset Strip style to it, very late 80’s. Too bad the song goes nowhere and comes off as really bland and forgettable. This is how the late 80’s newcomers that never went anywhere sounded. With a title like “Feels So Good” it feels only natural that it is a feelgood song with a summer vibe to it. It’s uptempo and upbeat, poppy with AOR-influences and a touch of both Van Halen and Thin Lizzy in there. The structure is Hard Rock for sure but the smooth melodies and the slick outlook makes it very pop-laden. It’s a good song, though with a hit-friendly refrain.
“Flying High” comes in mid-tempo and comes across as a more Melodic Rock flirting Skid Row with a spice of Tesla. It holds a chunky groove, some crunchy guitars, a big, fat beat and a Hard Rock structure but it also brings on some poppy melodies 80’s style and an effective chorus that’s really hard to resist. I like it. Closing track and latest single “To Be Together” is a mid-tempo yet strong forward Melodic Rock number on the threshold to power-balladry. Daniels goes for a dramatic attempt in the more laid-back parts where he half whispers the words. But being a single it’s not catchy enough and the chorus lacks an infectious hook. It’s an average track that in the end comes off as decent at best.
The final judgement here is that this is a slightly better record than Get Off Your Ass but’s by a nose. There are a few good songs but most of this record is bland albeit not bad per se. One big problem is that just like on its predecessor Autograph of 2022 lacks identity and a sound of their own. Even on the good tracks, this could be any band out there. Autograph back in the day was hardly revolutionary by any means but they had Steve Plunkett, a guy who knew his way around a sharp hook and glueing choruses – and a personal touch when he wrote songs. Autograph of today don’t have that. It doesn’t hurt to listen to the album, it’s decent but I’d be lying if I said there’s an urge to pick that album up again and again.
5/10
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Tracklist:
1. This Ain’t The Place I Wanna Be
2. Your Slave Tonight
3. Everything
4. Gotta Getcha
5. Take Me Higher
6. Run For Your Life
7. Beautiful Disaster
8. Love Is A Double Edge Sword
9. Heart Of Stone
10. Feels So Good
11. Flying High
12. To Be Together
CD & Festival reviews 