Eighteen years of existence and this is only the band's third album. Woah...even DEF LEPPARD have been more creative lately! Thankfully, DANTE FOX's new opus, Under Blue Skies, is worth checking (even if not that relevant to the content of a Hard & Heavy mag - hence, the brief review). Female-fronted British Pop-meets-Rock-meets-AOR of high level, this album is.
Women fronting Rock/Metal bands is a serious business in music. Their personality, their (visual) aura and - not to be left aside - their singing skills can push the band to extremely high levels. Sue Willetts has this tremendous voice, a mix of Ann Wilson (HEART), Robin Beck, Steve Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) and Loreena Mac Kennitt that stands in the foreground of an - anyway - good-played set of melodic Rock tunes. Her singing is powerful, her vibe is straightforward and his variety in colouring the lyrics is surely notable. The music itself is guilty of Rock Britain-ism, with tiny folk elements enhanced in the guitar themes, but it also flirts with some of the 80s Melodic Rock scene in the USA. Beautiful keys, interesting solos, appropriate bass/drums and...back to Sue Willetts herself!
Whoever's fond of female vocals in Rock music, should get this album asap. The same goes for lovers of Melodic Rock (the 'light' one, crossing with Pop music).
P.S.: The astonishing voice of Tony Mills (TNT, ex-SHY) does provide backing vocals in this album.