Fair Warning - Go

Tracks:

Angels Of Heaven (Album version)
Save Me
All On Your Own
I'll Be There (Album version)
Man On The Moon
Without You (Album version)
Follow My Heart
Rivers Of Love
Somewhere
Eyes Of A Stranger
Sailing Home
The Way You Want It
The Love Song

Time: 58:24 m:s

Year: 1997
Label: Zero Corporation
Producer: Fair Warning

I bought this at the same time as the Harem Scarem album. If we only take into account the first two Harem Scarem albums, then the bands are operating in fairly similar musical territory. However, the approaches to writing a new album are completely different. For the first 3 albums at least, Harem Scarem modified their style for each album and by doing so were taking risks. In Fair Warning's case, each new album is a chance to hone their song writing and musicianship, whilst not deviating from the formula they established on their debut.

I've got the debut album, which has had praise heaped upon it. When I first got it I played it virtually non-stop. It's classy heavy AOR. A few years further on and prior to having a listen whilst writing this review, I can't remember the previous time I listened to it. It's a good album, but lacks that extra special ingredient to make it a truly great album.

If you've heard previous Fair Warning albums, then you know what to expect. As far as style goes, nothing much has changed. But that's not the end of the story. Quite simply, Fair Warning have got better. The songwriting is more consistent on this album. They're a few steps closer to hitting their peak.

The musicianship is solid throughout, but, as usual, Tommy Heart's vocals steal the show.

Angels Of Heaven is a strong opening track that grabs your attention. It's easy to see why this one is earmarked as a single. Save Me continues the album's good start. I'll Be There is back uptempo again after the semi-balld of All On Your Own. It's got that U2 vibe that Diving For Pearls used to good effect. Although Man On The Moon has got a good chorus, this sees the band going off the boil for the first time on the album.

Without You is a bit more laid back. This mid-tempo number is one of my favourites. It's tracks like this where the band aren't trying to force things, that they really shine. Follow My Heart continues the laid back approach by using acoustic guitar to drive this one along. The band are hitting a high spot on the album. Rivers Of Love and Somewhere are both epic sounding power ballads. The latter lets the side down a little.

Eyes Of A Stranger is a complete change of pace. The string section get an outing on this one. With a tendency for FW's material to all sound similar, it's a welcome departure. I think it works well in the context of the album, but maybe wouldn't stand up so well on it's own.

You have to wait until virtually the end of the album to arrive at the heavy AOR gem called Sailing Home. A definite highlight. The last couple of songs, both slower numbers, are OK, but suffer in comparison to Sailing Home.

When I initially wrote this review, my parting comment was that Fair Warning had just about hit their peak and I couldn't foresee myself buying another Fair Warning album. A few more listens down the line, I think there's still room for the guys to squeeze a bit more out of the formula, perhaps by varying the formula itself slightly on a few songs next time. I'm not normally one for chopping songs out of albums, but I feel that one or two songs less could have make the album a more enjoyable listening experience. Those few quibbles aside, this is a good album and it would fit nicely in any Melodic Rock collection.

Rating: 8