| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Big Boys Don't Cry The Moment Of Truth The Call Of The Wild Got To Be About Love Beautiful Game How Far To Babylon Coming Home What Are You Waiting For You Better Believe It How Do I Know One Final Kiss Release Date: January 22, 2021 Label: Frontiers Music srl Website: www.facebook.com/wetofficialpage |  |
W.E.T. IS:
Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals / Erik Martensson - Rhythm guitars & vocals / Robert Sall - Keyboards
Magnus Henriksson - Lead guitars / Robban Back - Drums / Andreas Passmark - Bass
Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals / Erik Martensson - Rhythm guitars & vocals / Robert Sall - Keyboards
Magnus Henriksson - Lead guitars / Robban Back - Drums / Andreas Passmark - Bass
If there are two guys who have more than enough projects to keep them busy, it's Jeff Scott Soto and Erik Martensson. The two are constantly writing, recording and touring with all their respective bands. Over the past few years, Jeff has become one of my favourite singers ever. He's got such a cool and unique voice that really makes my neck and arm hairs stand up. When W.E.T., his project with Erik Martensson of Eclipse came on my radar back in late 2018, they had just released their third album Earthrage at the time, and I was on the hunt for some great melodic hard rock. While the music is great straightforward, no-frills melodic rock, to me it sounds like Eclipse with two singers. Let's be honest. Anything that either Martensson or Soto is involved in is going to be great. With the two of them sharing vocal duties in W.E.T., it kind of like when Deep Purple had David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. Having the two of them trade off and/or harmonize emphasizes the songs.
There's several memorable tracks here like "Big Boys Don't Cry", "Got To Be About Love", "Coming Home" and "You Better Believe It", all containing serious hooks capable of drawing in the most die-hard traditional metal fan to even some pop fans. "How Far To Babylon" is another standout track due to the fact that it has a different feel compared to the rest of the album. The shuffle-y, swung triplet rhythm instantly gets hips swaying, heads bobbing and bodies moving. The album's ballad "What Are You Waiting For" is a hair-raiser with the biggest chorus on the album. Those who are moved by incredible and uplifting melodies will know exactly what I mean when I say that the vocal hook towards the end just tears at your heartstrings during every spin.
Of course, there are some moments where the riffs and melodies sound recycled. Case in point, the pre-chorus to "The Moment Of Truth" sounds very similar to the pre-chorus in "One Love" from the band's first album, although still a strong song. While a great riff and melody writer, Martensson tends to bring the same direction with him to every project he's involved with. If you listen to Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union, and even Ammunition, you will hear a lot of similarities between several of the riffs and melodies. When I spoke to him a couple of months back, I asked him about that, and he said that it gives him somewhat of a songwriting identity. Now, I can understand that, but to me, it can be limiting on your creativity. Regardless of my view on bringing the same style to multiple bands, Retransmission is another solid album with fun, catchy, hooky and enjoyable melodic hard rock tunes, even though there's absolutely nothing ground-breaking to be found.
Highs: "Big Boys Don't Cry", "How Far To Babylon", "Coming Home" and "What Are Your Waiting For"
Lows: Recycled riffs and melodies
There's several memorable tracks here like "Big Boys Don't Cry", "Got To Be About Love", "Coming Home" and "You Better Believe It", all containing serious hooks capable of drawing in the most die-hard traditional metal fan to even some pop fans. "How Far To Babylon" is another standout track due to the fact that it has a different feel compared to the rest of the album. The shuffle-y, swung triplet rhythm instantly gets hips swaying, heads bobbing and bodies moving. The album's ballad "What Are You Waiting For" is a hair-raiser with the biggest chorus on the album. Those who are moved by incredible and uplifting melodies will know exactly what I mean when I say that the vocal hook towards the end just tears at your heartstrings during every spin.
Of course, there are some moments where the riffs and melodies sound recycled. Case in point, the pre-chorus to "The Moment Of Truth" sounds very similar to the pre-chorus in "One Love" from the band's first album, although still a strong song. While a great riff and melody writer, Martensson tends to bring the same direction with him to every project he's involved with. If you listen to Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union, and even Ammunition, you will hear a lot of similarities between several of the riffs and melodies. When I spoke to him a couple of months back, I asked him about that, and he said that it gives him somewhat of a songwriting identity. Now, I can understand that, but to me, it can be limiting on your creativity. Regardless of my view on bringing the same style to multiple bands, Retransmission is another solid album with fun, catchy, hooky and enjoyable melodic hard rock tunes, even though there's absolutely nothing ground-breaking to be found.
Highs: "Big Boys Don't Cry", "How Far To Babylon", "Coming Home" and "What Are Your Waiting For"
Lows: Recycled riffs and melodies
FINAL RATING
| | |
RSS Feed
