Ever heard a song and thought I have GOT to get that album, then been really sorry you did, as it turned out the rest of it was terrible? I've bought a few albums in my time which, based on the single or track I heard, sounded like they would be great, but were a huge disappointment.
I'm introducing this new section as a way of demonstrating that odd trait bands can have, where they pen an absolutely great song, but fail to live up to the promise of same on their album. It's really odd how a band or artiste can get it so right with one, two or three tracks, and just mess the rest up. I hope also that this section will serve as a warning to anyone thinking of buying the albums featured here, and a cautionary tale that just because one track is great, it doesn't necessarily follow that the rest of the material will be up to scratch.
These will
not be reviews. These albums in general are so bad that I would not want to review them. What I will be doing is posting the one (or two or three) good track(s), and alongside them showing other tracks off that album, demonstrating the disparity between the material. This is not meant as a slight on anyone, nor a smart comment or a cheap shot. I was genuinely looking forward to the album featured below, and the same will be true of the others covered in this occasional series, and I do find it hard to rationalise how the work can vary so widely on one album. I guess there's a lot to be said for the advice of listening to more than one track before buying the album!
My first case study is an album by American AOR outfit Seventh Key, 2004's “The raging fire”. It kicks off with a truly excellent track, a rocking monster with wonderful hooks, great chorus, fine musicianship, the lot. It just sets you up for more of the same. Unfortunately, there
is no more of the same, and the rest of the album is really poor.
I'm actually shocked to find that Billy Greer of Kansas is involved in this band, and the few reviews I've come across seem universally positive, but I was terribly disappointed, and I stick by my opinion of this album. Here's “Sin city”. I'm not saying it's a bad song, but it's certainly not up to the standard of “The sun will rise”.
Nor, indeed, is “Pyramid princess”...
or the title track, but I can't find a YT for that, so try “An ocean away” instead.
This album really got my hopes up with the first track, and then dashed them to the ground. I think Seventh Key only have this one plus their self-titled debut, apart from two live albums, but on the basis of “The raging fire” I don't see our paths intentionally crossing again.