The Storm - Eye Of The Storm
I bought this CD shortly after it was released without having read any of the reviews before hand. I have the first CD by The Storm. I remember playing it constantly after I got it. I haven't played it for a long time. It's well produced and you can't fault the quality of the playing. There a few really good songs on it. Yet, whenever I play it, I keep reaching for the remote control to skip the occasional track. There are a few too many 'AOR by numbers' type tracks.
With some CDs, you put them on, listen to them through once and you're not that impressed. Then, after a few more listens, they start to grow on you and may even end up being your favorites. Well , The Storm CD isn't like this. The first time I put on this CD it had a very familiar feel to it. I liked it straight away. It felt that this CD had been in my collection for years. It didn't have that new feel to it. Sound wise, nothing much has changed from the first album i.e. you can still hear the Journey connection.
A few more listens and I started to notice that the quality of the songwritng was better on this album. There's not a weak track on it. The first two songs are killers. If you're ever feeling a bit depressed, then put on the first track (Don't Give Up) and I guarantee that you'll be cured by the end of this track. Another cure for the blues comes later on it the form of 'Soul Of A Man'.
There are a few songs which have their reference points in the first album. Such as 'Livin It Up', which is similar to 'In The Raw'. On the slower numbers, such as 'Love Isn't Easy' & 'To Have And To Hold', the Journey connection is particularly strong.
One of the surprises of the album, which brings a bit of a smile to your lips, is 'What Ya Doing Tonight ?'. The piano is a blatant rip off of 'Right Here Waiting' by Richard Marx. No points deducted for that.
Overall I have to recommend this album. We've all been waiting for it for a long time. I don't think anyone will be disappointed. All we have to do now, is to wait and see if the reformed Journey can top this.
Rating : 9
