Music review: Angel – 鈥楻isen鈥�
There are times when a new album release is like reconnecting with a long-lost friend.
When I was in middle school, I purchased a new album by a band called Angel. Originally discovered by Gene Simmons of Kiss, Angel flew under my musical radar until I discovered the band鈥檚 1978 album 鈥淲hite Hot.鈥�
I was intrigued by the list of songs that featured a cover of 鈥淎in鈥檛 Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore鈥� and the colorfully illustrated cover art depicting the band members adorned in all white, as if sent from the heavens above.
With tracks like 鈥淒on鈥檛 Leave Me Lonely,鈥� 鈥淥ver and Over鈥� and 鈥淕ot Love If You Want It,鈥� I was instantly hooked and wanted more.
After going back and acquiring the band鈥檚 three earlier albums, my friends and I finally got the chance to see Angel perform at Pittsburgh鈥檚 legendary Stanley Theater in 1979. Little did we realize at the time that we were about to experience one of our most memorable concert moments from the vantage point of front-row seats that were generously given to us by a local concert promoter at the last minute.
Now, original Angel guitarist Punky Meadows and lead singer Frank DiMino are back with a new Angel album that features 17 tracks that possess the same electrifying energy displayed during the band鈥檚 rising throughout the 1970s.
For 鈥淩isen,鈥� Meadows and DiMino are older, wiser and rocking harder than ever. Although original member and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria is absent, Meadows鈥� guitar playing transforms the band鈥檚 sound from glam and progressive rock to straight-up hard rock.
鈥淎ngel Theme鈥� kicks the set off with a majestic elegance before Meadows unleashes a searing guitar assault on 鈥淯nder the Gun,鈥� 鈥淪hot of Your Love鈥� and 鈥淪low Down.鈥�
DiMino demonstrates that he still has the vocal muscle to fuel Meadows鈥� fiery guitar parts as well as masterfully navigate the slower arrangements like 鈥淪tand Up,鈥� 鈥�1975鈥� and 鈥淭ell Me Why.鈥�
The album closes with a remake of 鈥淭ower鈥� from Angel鈥檚 1975 self-titled debut. It鈥檚 a stunning number that makes me wonder why this band never made it big. However, that鈥檚 a discussion for another day.
In the meantime, I鈥檓 just going to sit back and enjoy the rebirth of one of my favorite bands and hope for an area performance in the near future.
While I鈥檓 at it, I might even dig up my old high school varsity jacket and relive some of my glory days.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.