Because this website is called Metal Temple, the first thing that comes to most people's minds is dark and heavy, raging metal, right? Well, that's not always the case; we also have a sensitive side and aren't afraid to show it off every now and then. This album review is proof of that.

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing "Let the Record Spin", a really eclectic collection of music that that borders on radio-friendly rock and alternative country, by SHADES & PETERS.

Lifelong friends, Rene Shades and Martie Peters, have come together again with their talent and extensive experience to release one of my favorite albums of 2014. Rene is the bass player for PRETTY MAIDS, while Martie was the lead singer for Danish Hard Rock band, PUSH. After having worked together on previous projects, this is the one that should put their name on the map.

If you're looking for a metal album, this is not it. This release is closer to country music than metal, and really, anything that you would consider hard rock is hard to come by here. But don't skip out on this one just yet; just listen to it and let your soul decide if you like it or not. Even though I'm a metalhead through and through, I listen to anything that just feels good, and this feels really good.

Right from the start, "Let the Record Spin" takes you back to the storytelling sound of 80's/90's TOM PETTY and BRYAN ADAMS, with Top 40 Rock harmonies and sing-along group choruses. The songs are extremely well written and the sound is so full, upon first listen, you might make the assumption that this is a reissue of a platinum selling, classic album.

 One of my favorite tracks is "We Drove All Night Long", a really catchy, extremely radio-friendly song with a chorus that will surely be stuck in your head after just one spin. With the third track, "What's It Gonna Be", the album changes gears just a bit and starts to sound like a crossover country record, reminiscent of SUGARLAND, KEITH URBAN and a lot of RASCALL FLATTS. Every song on this offering has its own personality, flowing masterfully between a classic Top 40 Rock sound and an alternative, modern country style. But don't judge, my metal brethren; SHADES & PETERS are seasoned, successful rock n' roll musicians that have earned the freedom to explore the gamut of talent within their souls and release whatever their hearts desire. If this were just another clichéd attempt at the "flavor of the month" hit style of music, I could understand any resentment, but this is far from that. This is just great music, plain and simple.

"Let the Record Spin" is an album without genre prejudice and takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride of musical genius. My biggest fear is that music this good will fall on deaf ears because it doesn't fit into any of the current cookie-cutter genres. Please don't try to classify SHADE AND PETER's sound as one thing or the other; just listen and let your heart and soul decide if it makes you feel good. I know it makes me feel great.