The duet of Gary Barden (MSG, Statetrooper, Praying Mantis) and Michael Voss (Demon Drive, Casanova, Mad Max, Bonfire) was a great 'teaser' for my ears, I must confess. The fact that I previously had no 'connection' to Silver, since I had never listened to any of their four previous albums, just added excitement to my curiosity. I already have nearly 30 LPs in my collection with these two gentlemen being in the band lineups. What the heck, something good should be lurking here...
During the band's 5-year career, their previous works - Silver (2001), Dream Machines (2002), Intruder (2003) and Addiction (2004) - made an impact on the world of Melodic Rock (so I read, so I say); and how could this be a rumor, with a lineup featuring artists like e.g. Don Airey (Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Gary Moore, Deep Purple) or Marco Minnemann (Paul Gilbert). Enough with names... Let's check out the product:
Creep really got me in the picture. Accompanied by a mid-tempo backing rhythm, Barden's vocal leads taste the fire while Voss is the boss in this hard rockin' cut. All That I Wanted starts with some guest female vocals in a rather 'pop' approach/mode. Fortunately, Barden saves the deal turning something 'flat' into a somehow steady Rock tune. The guitar solo is actually exciting, I should add. The backing vocals too...
Wouldn't You Agree reminds me of Ten in a 'chill out' songwriting mode. This cut can make it to the Rock-friendly radio stations. Wonderful vocal melodies, peaceful acoustic guitar and a traveling voice sum it up to a song already applicable to your 'personal' moments. I wouldn't suggest the same for the next tune - Joshua - since with this Silver return to the mid-tempo series. Most of the vocal lines and the entire song in general reminded me something between 90's Scorpions and 'take-it-easy' Pink Cream 69, whereas the guitar work should not be considered as something remarkable.
Take the deep way down: with the Golden Days ballad, the previously mentioned voice of Michaela strikes again, while the whole song seems too 'sweet' for my taste. Yet, Voss' petit solo is a killer. I only wish he'd put some electric guitar 'touch' in the background. Setting It Up, to carry on, starts off with a set of keyboard driven melancholy, evaluating itself to a sentimental song with a flowing passion for night drive. Some samples added in this one really make things work. Maybe the most U.S.-orientated track of the whole album.
China Girl, an 80's worldwide hit by David Bowie, surely fits in the band's scope. Enriched as 'smartly' as possible, this cover turns out to be one of the best tracks on Gold. Gary Barden deals bravely with this one, just providing an extra 'painting' when needed. On the other side, Save Me proved to be the average filler, despite Voss' noteworthy try. I can say the same about Easy too.
Gold wraps up with Daydream Believers, a song in the vain of All That I Wanted; hence appropriate for your car's stereo. It's true that the whole album is based on a 'wandering' feeling. Not what I expected, thus electricity is not Silver's 'strongest card'. It's also not weird to say about some Dark/Gothic marks, since Andi Broon and Mike Bar (Sisters Of Mercy) contribute effort to an album I can't easily rate.
Mellow...