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CROWN OF THORNS ‘Karma Voodoo’ (Island 2002)
Jean Beauvoir is a man who couldn’t write a bad song if he tried! This
album marks a heavier turn but with those hook laden harmonies still in
place. Case in point is the opener ‘Believer’, a bouncy rocker with those
trademark harmony backing vocals - sheer listening bliss! A tune that won’t
leave your head after one play. ‘Gotta Get Next To You’ is driven by a heavy
guitar riff and a harmony filled chorus. There is a cover of George
Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ which stays faithfully to the original, with the
addition of some spacey background sounds. Next up is a duet with Doro
Pesch, ‘Shed No Tears’, which has a very soft vocal performance by Doro
(hard to believe this is the same voice of Warlock!). This song is an album
highlight and great vocals from both performers. Another prime slice of
melodic rock ‘Let’s Start Over Again’, features some great guitar soloing.
‘I’m Sorry’ is another ballad, building from a keyboard opening into an
uplifting ballad - complete with harmony vocal chorus, subdued drums and
guitar solos. ‘Alone Again’ is the weakest track on the album, a mid-tempo
song that never really gets going. ‘Keep On Survivin’ and ‘Once In My Life’
close the album in style - uptempo in the case of the former song and
uplifting in the latter song’s case.
Another quality slice of melodic rock by Crown of Thorns and if you have
never heard anything by them, then buy this album or get a copy of their
debut album. The guitars are much more up in the mix this time, along with a
some excellent drumming by Hawk Lopez.
Website
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Review by Jason Ritchie
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