bert heerink
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Released: 28 September 2009 |
A lot has changed in rock world over the last couple of decades, the result being that an album which would have been considered good back in the day will make little impact in 2009. Even the conservative genre that is melodic AOR has moved, grown and absorbed new influences.
And therein lies the problem for Bert Heerink. The former Vandenberg vocalist hasn’t released a rock album since the 1980s and the ten tracks featured here are so firmly rooted in that decade it’s like the last twenty years never happened. Perhaps in itself, that’s no bad thing. Good classic rock is pretty much timeless and there is no shortage of fans and acts to keep the scene thriving.
But it’s a style of rock that depends entirely on quality songwriting and that’s where this album struggles. Too many of the songs lack truly great hooks; opening track Panic Attack being a prime example of a decent enough rocker let down by a weak chorus.
It’s a pattern repeated throughout the rest of the album, with only Whose Side Are You On raising the bar to anything above ordinary.
Don’t go away with the impression that this is an inherently bad album because it isn’t. Heerink has a decent voice and there are some nice arrangements which hint at better things to come. It’s simply that, for the most part, it’s all a bit too polite and run of the mill to really grab the attention.
If you were ever a fan of Nelson, or feel that Bon Jovi went off the boil after their first two albums, you may find something to enjoy here. Otherwise, this is strictly for Vandenberg completists only.
by Marcus Jervis
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Panic Attack |
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