Danger Danger was formed in 1987 and the band is still there, strong and firm. There were upside downs, of course, they had to deal with the loss of popularity in the 90´s, some important members to the band´s history quit, such as vocalist Ted Poley (who came back in 2004), and the guitarist Andy Timmons. But the band created by the bass player Bruno Ravel and the drummer Steve West has been alive for 23 years!
Released on the 18th of September, 2009 – exactly 20 years after the self titled album´s debut, which was a great success in Asia and the USA (they even got a gold record) - "Revolve" is nothing else but a great celebration of all conquests achieved by Danger Danger, a band that within all these years has shown us they are here to stay, not only to be a hard rock band from the 80´s that would disappear forever after
the style´s losing popularity that happened because of the market saturation, when several bands showing the same music proposal came out and lost territory for the grunge from Seattle.
As expected, since a long time has passed, "Revolve" tracks are really mature when compared to the first two plays of the group, considered as great classics from the 80´s hard rock. We can see a lot of improvement, specially in the lyrics: they don´t take the sexual approach in the same proportion as the old songs used to. It´s important to remember that bass player Bruno Ravel signs the entire production himself.
In which concerns to melody, we can see the difference in the entire album. Actually, songs have much more of AOR than melodic hard rock, characteristic which can be reinforced by the presence of guitarist Rob Marcello. Good to mention that in some moments the album reminds us the releases from Ted Poley´s solo career.
But dear reader, don´t think that Revolve´s quality is less good because of this, I guarantee that these differences have made it much better. What we see here is a high quality album that makes us impressed from the very beginning.
"That's What I'm Talking About" opens the play with a lot of class, a killing riff, nostalgic lyrics and sticky chorus – a Danger Danger copyright.
After it we´ve got a lot of hard rock going on with "Ghost Of Love", putting in evidence the great drumming of Steve West, but the drops of AOR start to appear here, getting even more generous in "Killin' Love", where the keyboards call the attention as well as the particular voice of Ted Poley. It´s a great song.
"Hearts On The Highway" follows the hardness reminding us a lot the Danger Danger´s punch from the end of the 80´s and beginning of the 90´s, for its pace and for the excellent guitars played by Rob Marcello (and what a solo!), and the background vocals in the chorus.
The hard rock atmosphere slows down a bit then, with the track "Fugitive", an excellent power ballad, sang by Poley in a soft tone, having great acoustic guitar lines and bass.
Going back to the fun, "Keep On Keepin' On" comes out with an excellent riff, nice lyrics, and of course, a chorus to make the audience lose their voices screaming while watching the band alive.
After that, the melodic "Rocket To Your Heart" comes to the scene with a softness that ends up and turns out even greater when the chorus start. Important to emphasize here the excellent guitar lines played by Rob Marcello.
The nostalgic "F.U.$" comes then, to make us remember the good old times: besides the connotative lyrics and some bad words, as expected, a strong choir goes on in unison, in most of the song, with Ted Poley singing in a strong beat.
"Beautiful Regret" comes next and makes the happiness of the most nostalgic fans bringing a kickin´ ass instrumental arrangement.
Once more the atmosphere is broken with "Never Give Up", a beautiful ballad that takes the listener straight to Ted Poley´s solo career.
The closing is one of the biggest highlights, in my opinion - "Dirty Mind" gives a classy and great end to the album, sounding like a B-side coming from the group´s beginning career.
There are rumors talking about a possible Danger Danger tour that may take them to Brazil in support for "Revolve" since Ted Poley is just like home when the subject is the this country, where he has many fans and has played several times solo. While it´s not a reality, we have to wait and keep enjoying this excellent album that, surely, was one of the best releases of 2009 in the real Hard Rock scene.
Grade: 9,5 / 10
01. That’s What I’m Talking About
02. Ghost Of Love
03. Killin’ Love
04. Hearts On The Highway
05. Fugitive
06. Keep On Keepin’ On
07. Rocket To Your Heart
08. F.U.$
09. Beautiful Regret
10. Never Give Up
11. Dirty Mind
Ted Poley – vocals
Rob Marcello – guitar, backing vocals
Bruno Ravel – bass, keyboards, additional guitar, backing vocals
Steve West – drums, percussion, backing vocals
