Noteworthy releases by three well known acts (November 2015)

Everyone who loves the classic Leppard sound of the 1980s will surely have a good time with Def Leppard‘s new album. They’re not breaking new ground but do what they do best and most of the magic’s still there. Melodicrock.nl rating: 80/100. The opening song:

Unfortunately the same can not be said of Bryan Adams new album, even though he teams up with songwriter Jim Vallence again after a long time. The album features short 1960s/70s style pop songs that are alright but nowhere near the sophisticated yet expressive melodic rock songs the tandem was famous for in the 1980s. Maybe expectations were to high. Let’s hope the collaboration lasts and that Adams employs a more rock oriented producer for the next album. Melodicrock.nl rating: 50/100.

ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons first solo album (2015-11-06) combines ZZ style blues rock with latin rhythms to an interesting and mostly enjoyable effect. It’s an album that will appeal to many. Melodicrock.nl rating: 75/100. One of his stories:

Rock may be dead somewhere but it sure isn’t here!

Update on the Rock Is Dead discussion: in Juni 2016 Helix made a funny clip about that (review). It’s also on their new compilation album Rock It Science.

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