The Italian label strikes again with a new Vertigo album. Weird it is; in the older days, bands were formed by musicians jammin' in a studio, then looking for a label to ink deal with. Now -at times- labels create 'bands' ('projects' suits better) and fill the roster with available/willing musicians. In the future, songs may be written by themselves and then potential artists/labels may have to subscribe/bid on a server to get hold of the release...Phew.
Joseph Williams - son of John Williams (an Indiana Jones, Star Wars and E.T. OST music maker) - did get widely known due to his services for two Toto albums in the 80s; "Columbia (1986, Columbia) and "The Seventh One (1988, same label) were they. Less of a rocker and more of a pop-ish vocalist, Williams did notable work on appropriate albums and then went out on his own. Writing music for a couple of films, releasing a bunch of solo efforts in parallel, he was invited in 2003 to perform on the Vertigo project along with bassist/keyboardist/producer Fabrizio Grossi (also working with Glenn Hughes, House of Lords, Starbreaker, Danny Vaughn, Starship etc). The same titled album was of good but typical AOR taste and - despite what newsletter may cry out - was lost in the relative 'typhoon', even if contributions from Alex De Rosso (Dokken) and J.M. Scattolin (Tribe After Tribe) were teasing enough.
Three years later, a new Vertigo album is out and I'm extremely curious to know how much this one can sell. Pardon me, it's a good - again - album of Melodic Rock/AOR music. However, how many people 'dedicated' to this specific sound will buy everything that comes out every day? Frontiers' releases, alone, can sum it up to one album a week!
Anyway, the roster is - this time - of added value. Alex Masi - an underestimated hero from his 80s Masi days - gives some wonderful harmony leads, since the rhythm parts are of no special ability. Grossi handles the bass himself, adding suitable keyboard back-ups, while Virgil Donati (Ring Of Fire, Soul Sirkus, Planet X, Freakhouse) performs typical drumming since no more of his unlimited talent is needed here.
Melodic Rock the Toto way, this 'path' does Vertigo walk on again. You figure it out if you need this release. Take a look at your wallet, also, if you can stand it.