The Poodles
Tour De Force
Frontiers Records
2013
Album number five for The Poodles, and the wimpy Swedes, seem to have somewhat managed to recuperate and revitalize themselves after the very mediocre previous album of theirs entitled “Performocracy”. Their newest effort, is entitled “Tour De Force ” and while it mostly seems to manage to not repeat the missteps of the said album – it somewhat doesn't avoid all pitfalls. If I am not mistaken Matt Alfonzetti, is again involved, so that’s one helping hand and one hand well played.
“Misery Loves Company” is a nice enough opener, that’s quite energetic and manages to capture the listener, but on the other hand, compared to the extremely high pedigree of the band, it somewhat falls a bit short.
“Shut Up!” waltzes in with some nasty riffs and mouth whistles, really defiant and full of bravado and it’s all about the Hollywood BS and backstabbing but while it’s kind of cutesy it has again a bit of a chorus that leaves something to be desired.
“Happily Ever After” is a more mid tempo song with a strong build, that’s rather typical, Poodles fare and should, go down well, with fans. Nothing new, it doesn’t explore new territory really. It might even be slightly recycling an idea/melody (“Flesh ‘n Blood”), but it’s done in a quite a smart way, so you’ll hardly notice it.
“Viva Democracy” again treads, familiar territory, sounding like something I’ve heard before from the band. It’s nothing particular either, as it’s one of those “heavily” rhythm based/drum-march with harmony vocals all over, tracks. Nice but – nothing super... I guess it's more about the message here, than the simple dance groove or the plain but effective melody.
“Going Down” is another mediocre tune, mid paced that has some nice guitar twanging and a nice melody, but not much else going on for it.
“Leaving the Past to Pass” is a big sweeping ballad, that begins with some cello and goes on and on and become something quite large in scope. It’s not the most inspired one the band has ever done, but it’s among the better ones for sure, as the band has a knack for “melodrama”.
“40 Days and 40 Nights” (ain’t that a title of a silly movie?) while the beginning of the song – had me thinking what the hell is this – and the verses are rather wimpy – the chorus is exactly as – desperately dramatic and exhilarating as it should be… single material.
“Kings and Fools” is a hard hitting slower tune, that starts originally as a mid tempo tune then slows down, then picks up steam again… it’s not such a brilliant song, I guess, but it reminded me of a lot of trademarks of say Queen and Aerosmith ?!
“Miracle” is a quite melodic and interesting tune, with exemplary use of subtle dynamic changes and beautiful melodies. While, the band fails to make the same formula, that has worked for them lots of times before, work elsewhere on this album, here they hit a mini jackpot. Beautiful solo too. Miraculous songie-wong!
“Godspeed” is a decent mid tempo rocker, that would have fitted perfectly on an OST for Top Gun, if it was ever remade… or a similar aeronautic or space adventure movie hehe...
“Now is the Time” ain’t an Yngwie cover – but quite an anthem that his compatriots have composed... it’s actually a fine slab of sing-a-long high-gear/high tech/disco-power metal a bit like “Metal Will Stand Tall” from the debut, sans the female vocals and a little more “rocking” in nature. It’s cool actually!
“Only Just Begun” is yet another anthemic tune – about brotherhood among humans... with a slightly epic atmosphere and a nasty “dark” riff but quite an uplifting chorus... Good one!
Finally, “En För Alla För En” is a bonus track that can only be found on the physical edition. I suppose it must mean – All for one – One for all?! And it’s obviously sung in their native Swedish. Quite a fun and interesting inclusion I guess for the non iTuners amongst us! (It’s a little up-lifting anthemic tune)
All in all, “Tour De Force” is not exactly, on par with the 3 first, almost impeccable “Poodles” albums that were hit studded, but still manages to introduce a number of decent songs. I suppose it manages to sound a little better and more focused than “Performocracy” but the band really seems to have taken a huge dip in their hit-making ability and I can’t exactly figure out why they have hit this “block”. They have still got the bark, but not as much of the bite.... let’s see if they can sharpen their teeth and get a taste for the major league yet again...
“Misery Loves Company” is a nice enough opener, that’s quite energetic and manages to capture the listener, but on the other hand, compared to the extremely high pedigree of the band, it somewhat falls a bit short.
“Shut Up!” waltzes in with some nasty riffs and mouth whistles, really defiant and full of bravado and it’s all about the Hollywood BS and backstabbing but while it’s kind of cutesy it has again a bit of a chorus that leaves something to be desired.
“Happily Ever After” is a more mid tempo song with a strong build, that’s rather typical, Poodles fare and should, go down well, with fans. Nothing new, it doesn’t explore new territory really. It might even be slightly recycling an idea/melody (“Flesh ‘n Blood”), but it’s done in a quite a smart way, so you’ll hardly notice it.
“Viva Democracy” again treads, familiar territory, sounding like something I’ve heard before from the band. It’s nothing particular either, as it’s one of those “heavily” rhythm based/drum-march with harmony vocals all over, tracks. Nice but – nothing super... I guess it's more about the message here, than the simple dance groove or the plain but effective melody.
“Going Down” is another mediocre tune, mid paced that has some nice guitar twanging and a nice melody, but not much else going on for it.
“Leaving the Past to Pass” is a big sweeping ballad, that begins with some cello and goes on and on and become something quite large in scope. It’s not the most inspired one the band has ever done, but it’s among the better ones for sure, as the band has a knack for “melodrama”.
“40 Days and 40 Nights” (ain’t that a title of a silly movie?) while the beginning of the song – had me thinking what the hell is this – and the verses are rather wimpy – the chorus is exactly as – desperately dramatic and exhilarating as it should be… single material.
“Kings and Fools” is a hard hitting slower tune, that starts originally as a mid tempo tune then slows down, then picks up steam again… it’s not such a brilliant song, I guess, but it reminded me of a lot of trademarks of say Queen and Aerosmith ?!
“Miracle” is a quite melodic and interesting tune, with exemplary use of subtle dynamic changes and beautiful melodies. While, the band fails to make the same formula, that has worked for them lots of times before, work elsewhere on this album, here they hit a mini jackpot. Beautiful solo too. Miraculous songie-wong!
“Godspeed” is a decent mid tempo rocker, that would have fitted perfectly on an OST for Top Gun, if it was ever remade… or a similar aeronautic or space adventure movie hehe...
“Now is the Time” ain’t an Yngwie cover – but quite an anthem that his compatriots have composed... it’s actually a fine slab of sing-a-long high-gear/high tech/disco-power metal a bit like “Metal Will Stand Tall” from the debut, sans the female vocals and a little more “rocking” in nature. It’s cool actually!
“Only Just Begun” is yet another anthemic tune – about brotherhood among humans... with a slightly epic atmosphere and a nasty “dark” riff but quite an uplifting chorus... Good one!
Finally, “En För Alla För En” is a bonus track that can only be found on the physical edition. I suppose it must mean – All for one – One for all?! And it’s obviously sung in their native Swedish. Quite a fun and interesting inclusion I guess for the non iTuners amongst us! (It’s a little up-lifting anthemic tune)
All in all, “Tour De Force” is not exactly, on par with the 3 first, almost impeccable “Poodles” albums that were hit studded, but still manages to introduce a number of decent songs. I suppose it manages to sound a little better and more focused than “Performocracy” but the band really seems to have taken a huge dip in their hit-making ability and I can’t exactly figure out why they have hit this “block”. They have still got the bark, but not as much of the bite.... let’s see if they can sharpen their teeth and get a taste for the major league yet again...