WESTWORLD |
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An unlikely duo pairs up for an interesting side-project known simply as Westworld. Vocalist Tony Harnell and guitarist Mark Reale have both fought long and hard to bring their respective bands-TNT and Riot-into the good graces of critics, if not popular appeal, for years now and as each band enters into its second and third decade in excellent working order, the two stepped away to record Westworld. A culmination of both bands, subversively distinguishable, Westworld walks in mid-tempo stride placing emphasis on simple, concise song-writing craftsmanship in its initiation of a tried and true rock formula. Posing something of an antithesis to the vehicle many might choose to drive for their side-projects, Harnell and Reale, the two principal songwriters, are careful in following the traditional rock pathway. At first listen to opening tracks "Illusion" and "I Belong" it's easy to hear early TNT above all else, obviously due to Harnell, who does memorable work on the ballads "Heart Song" and "Love you Insane", but going even deeper, the solid rhythm structure from early Riot albums owe to the solid guitar work of Reale, particularly on "Pidgeon Hole" and "Bring the Water to Me". By song five we can throw the song sequence out the window. Is this like a curse that Reale brings with him to every recording or something? How many of the later Riot records went totally off course where the song sequence and track listing were totally out of whack! Westworld's other two recruits Bruno Ravel and John O' Reilly of Danger Danger and Rainbow fame round out the lineup, something that many might refer to as a "second line" in NHL circles-yet with a little luck here or there they could well be "first liners". The talents each individual player brings into the unit suggest that this might not be simply a one-off project and considering how well they've come together under the "tutelage" or producer Paul Orofino, "Westworld" might well be making the transition to "Worldwide" before too long. Released by Spitfire Records. Review by Vinnie Apicella |