CHRIS LANEY
‘Pure’ is the first solo release by Chris Laney, a multi talented Swedish musician/producer/songwriter. His previous credits include working with former WASP guitarist Randy Piper in his band Animal. Laney performs melodic rock, which generally takes its influences from the late 80s and the resurgent scene that appeared in the 90s, led by UK label, Now and Then Records. ‘Pure’ is a well played and produced album with Laney's strong, passionate voice (sounding like Richard Black from Shark Island and Ken Tamplin in places) impressing throughout. Opening track ‘Situation’ is one of the album's weaker tracks and gets the disc off to a mediocre start. ‘I Dunno’ on the other hand is a melodic tour de force with verses that would not be out of place on Def Leppard's ‘Hysteria’ album. The song's overall bouncy, poppy feel and an outrageously catchy chorus will have you hooked straightaway, and it is the standard of this track which sets the tone for most of ‘Pure’. ‘The Stranger In You’ is a fairly typical but well written rock ballad. ‘Get U Down’ is a ballsy mid-paced ballad that is far superior than Leppard's ponderous ‘Hysteria’, which it reminds me of. The superbly titled ‘Pissed At What Ya Missed’ has a riff that reminds me of Ten's awesome ‘After The Love Has Gone’. This track is melodic rock at its very best. The high quality continues with ‘Make My Day’, which has a tense rhythm that leads into a powerful and emotive chorus and ‘Last Man Standing’, which builds up in a similar fashion to ‘Make My Day’, then goes into a chorus very much like Kiss' ‘Crazy Nights’. Although not perfect, the driving rhythms, flawless musicianship, memorable vocal lines and outstanding hooks of ‘Pure’ should make this an absolute treat for any diehard melodic rock fan.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Metal Heaven
Album
PURE
Review by Dave Crewe
RUNNING TIME:
44:38
RELEASE DATE:
30th March 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) Situation
2) I Dunno
3) Make You Cry
4) The Stranger In You
5) Fir & Ice
6) I Hate Yer Guts
7) Get U Down
8) Pissed At What Ya Missed
9) Make My Day
10) Last Man Standing
11) Skin On Skin
12) Pride B 4 The Fall
2) I Dunno
3) Make You Cry
4) The Stranger In You
5) Fir & Ice
6) I Hate Yer Guts
7) Get U Down
8) Pissed At What Ya Missed
9) Make My Day
10) Last Man Standing
11) Skin On Skin
12) Pride B 4 The Fall
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Sweden
"'Although not perfect, the driving rhythms, flawless musicianship, memorable vocal lines and outstanding hooks of ‘Pure’ should make this an absolute treat for any diehard melodic rock fan."