The former
Helloween singer,
Michael Kiske, makes a welcome appearance in this new project band.
Place Vendome (named after the French landmark?) features the following members:
Vocals:
Michael Kiske (ex-
Helloween, Supared)
Bass: Dennis Ward (
Pink Cream 69)
Guitars: Uwe Reitenauer (
Pink Cream 69)
Drums: Kosta Zafiriou (
Pink Cream 69)
Keyboards: Gunther Werno (Vanden Plas)
The music is a melodic mix of rock and
AOR with Kiske's impressive voice being the main attraction. The musicianship is excellent but overall the album is too polished and lacks surprises. The keyboard is an element that is always present. It flies around in the sound, providing a soft velvet carpet for Kiske's voice to caress, but it is a little too apparent at times.
Cross The Line could almost have been a
Pink Cream 69 song, had the keyboard been stripped away and the guitar pushed more up front. The relatively heavy guitar lays a solid foundation and steers the song in the right direction and makes for an interesting introduction. From there the album takes a softer, more
AOR'ish approach.
I Will Be Waiting and
Too Late are instant ear catchers, both being very smooth. It's not too late to sing along.
Right Here and the title track are other melodic highlights.
Most of the songs fly right in one ear, rummage around your brain and make you feel good, only to fly right out again as the next song commences. That is my main problem with this album. The songs are good but lack something extraordinary to make them leave a lasting impression.
I Will Be Gone starts out very interesting with a good rythm and some nice guitar work but once it reaches the chorus the song loses its edge.
The Setting Sun also becomes too monotone in the long run and
Heaven's door is nicely put, a standard ballad.
Michael Kiske's voice has never faltered and it doesn't do it here. He adds something special to the songs, but it is not enough. In the end this is a good album, but not essential.
Written by
Steen Sunday, January 1, 2006
Show all reviews by SteenRatingsSteen: 6/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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