There are bands that leave a mark in the scene that time can't erode. One of these names is from the project DRIVE, SHE SAID, a contribution between the keyboardist Mark Mangold (famous for his works with names as CHER, MICHAEL BOLTON, AL PITRELLI and many others) on keyboards, and the singer/multi-instrumentalist Al Fritsch, that was on hiatus since the first half of the 90s. But the duet is back, and releasing a new and excellent album, "Pedal to the Metal." The duet plays a charming, tender and melodic form of AOR/Melodic Rock, so you can expect a form of music full of accessibility for a broader public. It has as well great doses of keyboards and excellent vocals, and fine and hooking choruses, and with very good guitar riffs and solid rhythmic session. They also have a strong personality. Let Big Daddy here say a thing: these guys are truly masters in this style, and will conquer your hearts and ears with their lovely sound, because the coils of their music won't let you go anymore. Their sound quality is truly perfect. It's really clean and very loud, but different from a great part of the AOR bands. The duet likes to use distorted guitars, so it demands some weight, and it is present as well. So we have the clear idea that the album's producer did his best, and his efforts created a fine and lovely sound quality.

The band brought some very good special guests as well, and their names are listed on the band's line-up. The hypnotic guitar riffs, excellent vocals and extremely good chorus presented on "Touch"; the good taste shown on the keyboard arrangements and backing vocals on "Pedal to the Metal" (and very good guitar solos as well); the lovely and hooking "In 'R Blood" with its keyboards and vocals parts (and a fine work done by bass guitar and drums); the melodic grasp imposed by the introspective Pop Rock feeling that is shown on "Rainbows and Hurricanes" and on "Love Will Win in the End" (beside this one has some weight in some parts, but without destroying the melodic hooking moments); the fine melodies and electronic parts shown on "I'm the Nyte" (I never could think that Industrial influences could fit on an AOR song in this way, but they did it, and it's truly good), and the fine acoustic ballad "All I Wanna Do" is proof that DRIVE, SHE SAID is back, and on the hunt for conquest! Welcome back, guys, and hope that "Pedal to the Metal" is just the first of many albums!