Ladies and gentlemen, we have another winner! Released through Frontiers Records on March 29, 2011, Forevermore is sure to rank as one of the best albums of Whitesnake's career! For those who are only familiar with the band's Eighties hits like Here I Go Again, Still Of The Night, or Is This Love, this album may seem a bit different to you at first, but I can assure you that it is well worth your time and money!
This time around, the songs hearken back to the early days of the band. The music leans more toward guitar driven, blues-based rock that is a bit grittier than the slick, glossy, over-produced sound of their Eighties Geffen Records heyday. Don't let that scare you away, though; all things considered, this is still a classic Whitesnake album, and it totally rocks!
Forevermore contains thirteen original tunes, plus three additional bonus tracks. The bonus material consists of two alternate mixes and an acoustic version of various album tracks. I happened to purchase the special edition of this album which also includes a DVD containing behind-the-scenes footage of the recording sessions for the album, as well as the video for the first single, Love Will Set You Free. There is also a short documentary on the video shoot, too! Song highlights on the CD itself include the opening track Steal Your Heart Away, the album's first single Love Will Set You Free, and my personal favorite Tell Me How. In addition, the ballad Fare Thee Well is sure to become a staple of the bands repertoire.
The performances on this album are flawless all around, beginning with a driving rhythm section composed of drummer Briian Tichy, and bassist Michael Devin. Together, they provide an interesting and solid foundation for the other musicians to build upon. The guitars are beyond stellar. Guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach are a great team; they complement one another perfectly. Reb plays a majority of the leads here, and his solos are mind-blowing! But that is not surprising given the quality of his past work. As some of you may know, he began his career as a studio musician, and first came into the public eye as the guitarist for the band Winger. Since then, his work has only become more and more amazing!
As for the vocals on here, David Coverdale has never sounded better; he absolutely shines! David seems to be one of those singers whose talent just comes effortlessly; he doesn't even have to try to be great! His voice on a record just seems to make everything right, and the quality of his singing has always remained consistent as he has gotten older, which is something that very few singers can say! In short, the man is just plain brilliant!
If you are a fan of Whitesnake, or just a fan of rock in general, this album is a must. Great songs, great musicianship, and great production have yielded an unforgettable finished product that will hook you on the first listen, and have you loving this record more and more with each successive spin! Trust me, this is one that you won't want to be without!
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