Gypsy Rose
Another World
Rating
Style: Melodic Hard Rock
Release date: June 20th 2008
 

The name Gypsy Rose, and the cover artwork first made me think this was some kind of blues/hardrock/metal album like Brand New Sin or maybe Whitesnake. I haven’t heard the bands first album from 2005, so I was quite puzzled when the music started floating from the speakers – Damn, this is melodic AOR or hardrock, maybe with a slight touch of metal. With the first surprise (and for me disappointment, I’m not at all into AOR) clearing off, I decided to set my expectations aside, and for the best of my ability judge the album for its content, on its own terms.

The vocals of David Reece are one of the best sides of the album. I’m not that familiar with his work in Accept or Bangalore Choir, but he sure can sing, with a blend of raw crispy and melodic voice he lifts my general impression of the album. The musicmanship is solid and tight, good guitar work and keyboards to complement it, without the latter getting too dominating. But in my opinion it all gets a bit too predictable. It’s probably because of the compositions, its solid craftsmanship, but there are no real surprises or new inventions here, the numbers just floats along, and I miss some standout tracks to hook on to. The general style and sound reminds me of Fair Warning, White Wolf and (later) Whitesnake mixed with the Swedish hardrock-/metal-sound-tradition of Yngwie Malmsteen and followers – nice, but honestly: heard before…

The production is powerful and clear, with a broad and pumped sound – just fine for this kinda stuff – good work!

All in all a very professionally done album, and for fans of the genre surely something to check out and maybe adding to your collection of melodic hardrock.

For me this is not something I’ll put on again (very often). My excursions into this kind of style are, with a few exceptions, the last Yngwie-album I own: Trilogy - so what do I know…
Tracklist

01.

Final Call

02.

Nothing Really Matters

03.

Angels

04.

When I Call Your Name

05.

Don’t Look Back

06.

Fired

07.

A Little Ain’t Enough

08.

All The Way To The Sun

09.

A Million Miles

10.

Liar

11.

Another World

12.

Hellhammer

Label: Escape Music
Promotion: Zink Music
Distribution: Bonnier/Amigo (Denmark)
Reviewed by: Claus Melsen
Date: April 8th 2009
Website: www.gypsyrose.se