BROTHERS IN ARMS – Sunset And Clark

6.5/10

BROTHERS IN ARMS - Sunset And Clark - 6.5/10

6.5/10

Summary

Deko Entertainment
Release date: September 24, 2021

[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.

[/spoiler]

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User Review

7.5/10 (1 vote)

The Backstory

Heavy Metal mainstay and axeman Jack Frost (Burning Witches) channels his inner Jake E. Lee (Badlands) with his latest all-star project Brothers In Arms. Unlike past projects Frost is known for, Jack and his bothers attempt to capture the magic and aurora of the Sunset Strip and the sold out arenas of the ’70s, ’80s, and early ’90s. The guest list on Sunset and Clark is extensive and features members who bring their experiences from that time period to the soundboard.

The Album

“Bitch Is Crazy” is a dirty Blues rocker led by the gritty vocals of Keith St. John (Montrose). St. John returns on “Make You Mine.” It’s one of the slower tracks on the album, accented by soft ’80s style keyboard. Meaty guitar riffage leads the charge on “Last to Know.” Andrew Freeman (Last in Line) handles the vocals here with his signature soulful tone. Guitarist Jack Frost tears it up like days of old during the solo break.

Freeman makes another appearance on the mid-tempo rocker “The Ties That Bind.” Musically its clear Frost had Andrew in mind when writing this one. Roxy Blue’s vocalist Todd Pool also appears on two tracks; “Feel The Love” and “Voices Are Calling.” Pool has sort of a weathered Glenn Hughes vibrato to his vocals. Both tracks are a bit on the heavy side, but have plenty of melody.

“Long Way From Love” featuring Nick Walsh of Slik Toxic could use a little more tweaking to the vocal harmonies in the chorus. Maybe even more voices as well. Paul Shortino adds his rugged voice to “My Heart Knows.” The performance, voice, and song that stands out from the pack is “The City Never Sleeps.” FM vocalist Steve Overland has a phenomenal voice that pairs well with this simple riff led track.

The Verdict

Jack Frost isn’t the only musician bringing together their friends for an all-star jam session while live music is in a state of uncertainty, and he probably won’t be the last. Does it really matter who the special guests are? What matters is if the songs are any good.

Sunset and Clark is a mixed bag in that regard. Some tracks appear to have a lot of effort put behind them, while others not so much. While all the vocalists involved are great in the own way, Steve Overland is on another level, and listeners will take notice. Sunset and Clark is worth a listen, but will you go back to it? Probably not.

Tracklist

Bitch Is Crazy
Last to Know
The City Never Sleeps
Feel The Love
Make You Mine
The Ties That Bind
Long Way From Love
My Heart Knows
Wasting Light
Voices Are Calling

Brothers In Arms is

Jack Frost – Guitars
Karl Wilcox – Drums
Alex Jansen – Bass
Charlie Calv – Keyboards
Dave Amato – Guest Guitar
Mick Mahan – Guest Bass
Keith St. John – Vocals
Andrew Freeman – Vocals
Paul Shortino – Vocals
Steve Overland _ Vocals
Nick Walsh – Vocals
Jesse Damon – Vocals
Todd Poole – Vocals

About George Dionne 288 Articles

George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015. Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.