Michael Schenker Group - MSG - "The Unforgiven"

1. RUDE AWAKENING [5.02]
A fairly weak opener dashes hopes of this being a classic Schenker tune. Sadly the track doesn't really go anywhere or say anything, sure Schenker still has that great guitar tone but that doesn't mean anything if the song isn't saved by it. The solo sees Michael sounding asleep while Shane Gaalaas' drumming is enough to put you to sleep, is this the same guy that drummed on Malmsteen stuff like 'Vengeance' and 'Fire In The Sky'. There are a few redeeming factors here though, the chorus is quite good and the riffing on the verse is okay too but generally the track sounds too slow and lacks energy.
2. THE MESS I'VE MADE [4.31]
Could be quite an apt title for the album, but luckily the song is one of the best tunes here. The tempo is a bit faster and Schenker's riffing is cool, Kelly Keeling sounds good as well. The chorus is quite catchy with a good guitar melody following it which adds a bit to the track. The middle solo is relatively weak though and I wonder if it really is Michael playing it [not a good sign]. The bridge is slightly weak as well and pretty unnecessary but doesn't detract too much. The outro solo sees Michael waking up a bit with that great vibrato and some cool licks.
3. IN & OUT OF TIME [3.44]
A track that tries to be heavy and fast and generally fails. Shane Gaalaas sounds like he is being kept on a leash while Kelly sounds like he's making the track up on the spot which is a shame as the lyric sheet shows some promise 'They're sleeping in their minds its time to awaken. Clear the aristocracy, brethren this is no Milan vacation'. The bridge sees quite an interesting breakdown that paves way for a melodic solo which is good. A tracks that hits and misses.
4. HELLO ANGEL [5.13]
Quite a good chord progression gives hope, before crashing into a pretty heavy riff. Kelly sounds mean and similar to David Coverdale on the 'Restless Heart' album. There is quite an uneasy transition from verse to pre-chorus though. The chorus sees the intro riff re-enter and sees Kelly sounding pretty weird again. A nice instrumental section adds more to the track and is the best part about it. Another hit and miss affair.
5. FAT CITY N.O. [4.16]
Probably the fastest tune here but its pretty weak. The verse is horrible with a nasty riff, Kelly seems to be trying to fit more words into the verse than there's time for. The chorus however is quite good. The solo is like a bad Judas Priest rip off and is a great shame. Shane get a brief solo but the terrible drum sound doesn't make it worthwhile. Producer Mike Varney has generally made a hash of most of the recording with the only thing being good is the guitar, Schenker is credited with co-producer so maybe he is also to blame for the lame mix.
6. TOWER [5.11]
An acceptable track that is probably meant to be the 'epic' of the album, hold it up against any other 'epic' though and it falls well short. However, it is another highlight of the album and sees some good textures and melodies. Kelly sounds quite convincing and this certainly helps. Michael also throws in some more melodic fretwork here and their giving hope for the rest of the album.
7. PILOT OF YOUR SOUL [4.25]
A track that originally grabbed my attention on first listen but with repeated spins it just gets weaker. The riffs are again good - nothing spectacular though - the verse melody however sits uneasily over the guitar riff which is repeated a few too many times for its own good. The chorus is okay but doesn't stand out enough to say 'I'm the chorus'. The build up of the solo gives hope but the track doesn't build on this promise.
8. FOREVER & MORE [5.43]
Some acoustic chords open the track over which Michael adds a few atmospheric electric guitar bends. The lyrics are quite derivative though with the stale woman leaves, world falls apart scenario cliché. The tracks drags a lot and makes you think that it will last 'Forever & More'. Their are some pleasant enough acoustic guitar fills here and there which are quite good but the main electric solo is a complete waste of time and only serves to drag the track out longer.
9. TURNING OFF THE EMOTION [5.15]
Acoustic guitar again opens the track before, the drums, bass and electric guitar rise in the mix for another uninspired riff. Kelly Keeling's verse vocal melody is a 'direct' rip off of his own melody on the John Norum track 'Dogs Are Barking'- its only slowed down a little, however I can't say I would be too inspired by this pretty dreadful plodding track.
10. LIVE FOR TODAY [4.40]
At last a great riff and some drumming that works!! The breakdown for the verse is okay and about as good as things get on the album. The chorus over the main riff is good, but this is probably down to the great riff. There is still an obvious lack of excitement from all involved but its not quite so present as elsewhere. The solo is pretty good with an interesting motif, a great classical guitar solo fits well and even John Onder sounds a bit excited on the bass with a few little runs, this is about the only time you really notice him on the album, the outro solo sees Michael really going for it at last but the mix doesn't really help it stand out.
11. ILLUSION [3.57]
Another good riff suggest the album could be gaining a little momentum. Ultimately it is spoilt by a pre-chorus which doesn't fit but the chorus makes amends slightly. Kelly sounds likes decided to have a go at sounding inspired and is probably his best vocal performance on the album. The solo again suffers from bad mixing which puts another damper on things.
12. THE STORM [5.18]
Yet again a plodding track, the intro sees a nice enough European sounding melody before the quite dreadful verse which sees the band rediscovering the previous all round dull performances. Again the track is overlong and just goes on and on..