I wonder for how many out there the name Paul Sabu rings a bell. I got to know of Paul through his band (well…) Only Child back in 1988 whose self-titled debut – and only – album now has gotten an almost iconic status among Melodic Rock and AOR circles. Paul Sabu came on to the music scene as a producer and writer for disco hits in the late 70’s but when the 80’s came knocking he went into the melodic Hard Rock world with his own outfit Sabu which morphed into Only Child but he also have a few solo records under his belt. Truth be told, all the albums he has made are solo albums albeit under different monikers.
He has also been involved a lot in other artists as a song writer, producer and contributor in different ways. The list is way too long to mention all the artists but there’s a broad spectrum when it comes to artists and genres. How about Alice Cooper, Madonna, David Bowie, Heart, John Waite, Quiet Riot, WASP, Shania Twain and Kim Carnes just to mention a few. Impressive, I’d say. For his own work I’m more or less oblivious to much of the stuff he’s done, especially in the 90’s and 2000’s but a quick google tells me that his last solo release was called Bangkok Rules 10 years ago back in 2012. To be honest, that Only Child record was really good but I really don’t have any expectations on his new album, I just hope it’s a killer.
Opener “Blinded Me” is an upbeat arena-rocker, guitar driven with the big 80’s melodies that makes it reminiscent of that Only Child album. It’s crunchy yet poppy and Sabu’s voice is recognizable. It’s a straight ahead and melodic rocker with some distinct melodies and it’s ok as such but it lacks sharp hooks which makes it kind of forgettable. The 80’s laden title-track comes along and this one too holds all the elements of Sabu’s old stuff. The keyboard-work gives it a pompy touch and the smooth melodies takes the track into AOR territory, slick yet not sugary. It’s a decent song with an infectious hook in the massive chorus.
The single “Kandi” is even bigger on the AOR-isms yet it sports a groove and some chunky guitars. Slick keyboards rubs shoulders with a crunchy guitar-riff and the mid-tempo makes the song put on foot in power ballad territory. Still it’s a hooky tune with memorable melodies and a refrain that could’ve landed Sabu a big hit back in the day. Pretty good. “Love Don’t Shatter” is rowdier and edgier, guitar driven on a beefy rhythm. It’s an energetic number with a rawer outlook and a bigger Hard Rock structure but it’s also smooth enough to bring back happy thoughts of the 80’s. A strong main-melody and a direct and catchy chorus makes the song the strongest yet.
“Back Side Of Water” takes the song around the bend a little with its bluesier outlook where the organ and the rougher guitar gives it a Classic Rock edge. It’s quite a robust track with a strong riff and a ballsy rhythm-section that gives the song a juicy live-feel complete with direct vocal-lines and a memorable and in-your face chorus. Best song so far. “Skin On Skin” continues the raunchiness with its fat Classic Rock riffage and its punchy beat. That being said, it holds a more polished touch with some AOR-laden vocal melodies but the blending of 70’s and 80’s is beneficial for the tune as the sonic contrasts gives the song edge, character and it brings up the dynamics. The chorus is a winner too with its instant catchiness. Very good.
On a way harder note, “Rock” comes at us at full force, metal-tinged with guitars cranked to eleven and a thunderous rhythm section doing its best to beat the shit out us. All would be well there as the change of structure is welcome if it wasn’t for the song going more for edge, heaviness and balls than actual melody. The song sounds rushed and actually unfinished and it fades away the second it ends. “Turn The Radio On” have a title that speaks volumes where this song is going and yes, it is a mid-tempo melodic Hard Rock number that could’ve been written in 1988. It’s guitar driven with a solid beat but it’s muddy and the melodies disappears leaving the hooks behind and the chorus really goes nowhere. Lyrically it’s cheesy as can be as well. A total skipper in my book.
On a somewhat sleazy and crunchier note “Dirty Money” comes along mixing Classic Rock with 80’s Melodic Rock/Arena Rock, riff-happy and bouncy with a concise live-feel. The song has a looser structure and the crunchy guitar is firey with a sharp sting and a distinct chorus classic Paul Sabu style. A good song made for the stage. “Midnight Road To Madness” is a mid-paced pop-rocker in a Hard Rock costume with a rhythmic beat. The smooth verse melodies sound very much like it’s 1989 again whereas the streamlined chorus takes a deeper look into modern AOR/Melodic Rock and comes with a distinct hook. It’s a good song that never really reaches great.
Sabu and his cohort Barry Sparks (MSG, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken) – with whom Sabu has collaborated with on this record – closes the album with the riff-fest that is “Rock The House”, a fast, heavy and rough hard-rocker that holds a clear metal-influence. It’s a direct, energetic and ballsy tune that has a little Van Halen here, a little Dio there and some classic Rainbow over there. It’s hard and edgy for sure but overall it’s also quite forgettable as the big hook is missing even though the chorus might get a festival crowd chant a bit.
Even though there are some good songs on this album there’s a bit too much left to be desired, I’m afraid. First of all, the muddy production makes it a hard listen and the soundscape comes across like a rough, rushed demo. Second, the material just doesn’t hold up with way too many fillers and skippers and I can’t find one real killer on here. Third, Paul Sabu’s once so strong voice just isn’t there anymore. He was always a bit raspy, somewhat reminiscent of Sammy Hagar, but now both his range and vigor is reduced and on too many occasions he sounds strained too the point of sour. I might not have had any expectations on this record but I sure had hoped for more than this.
4/10
Tracklist:
1. Blinded Me
2. Banshee
3. Kandi
4. Love Don’t Shatter
5. Back Side Of Water
6. Skin On Skin
7. Rock
8. Turn The Radio On
9. Dirty Money
10. Midnight Road To Madness
11. Rock The House
CD & Festival reviews 