Full Circle by Great White (Bluez Tone Records)
Full Circle by Great White (Bluez Tone Records)
Full Circle by Great White (Bluez Tone Records)For those keeping score and looking out for the latest round of sonic shark attacks, there are two very unique versions of Great White wading through the vast and wonderful world of rock and roll. Jack Russell’s Great White recently issued He Saw It Comin’ earlier in the year, supremely eclectic to be sure, highlighted by Russell’s still very much impressive vocal prowess. And now the band maintaining the original Great White moniker (and containing three long time members) has arrived with their own piece of the action aptly entitled Full Circle. Great White teams up once again with its original producer, Michael Wagener, who guided the novice collective through their first ever recordings – the Out of the Night EP (Aegean Records, 1983) as well as their legendary Self-Titled full-length endeavor. Full Circle brings back the trademark hard rocking blues sound of Great White with an all-out vengeance, unveiling what is truly their best collection of songs in years!
The rock and rage kicks off within an instant, with opening track I’m Alright hooking in the listener for one hell of a ride. Movin’ On is vintage Great White brought to the modern day, complete with pulsating bass, liberating vocals, and a towering chorus that enraptures the senses. This Is The Life is a rock and roll celebration saluting the fine art of perseverance, overcoming the hard times, and truly living the dream. The acoustic-based Let Me In compares exceedingly well with the Great White ballads of the past. Then it’s time for the rock solid libations of Moonshine, where Great White sings the blues in a grand and epic style.
The second half of Full Circle commences with the haunting Cry Of A Nation, searing into the heart and soul of the matter. Give It Up is filled with those wickedly tasty licks that Great White has been so well known for and would be a massive hit if radio ever played anything good these days. The very same could be said for the powerhouse Big Time, with a spiraling chorus that sends this should-be sensation of the airwaves into the stratosphere. Never Let You Down is down and dirty hot blooded rocking blues that is wondrous to behold. And then closing out the Full Circle adventure is a tune entitled I’ve Got Your Back, leaving their audience fully enveloped by the stunning sounds of the 21st Century Great White!
For those who felt their previous effort Elation may or may not have packed the bite of the almighty Great White of yore, Full Circle is a majestic return to form that fans will be playing at maximum volume time and again! The Great White trinity of lead guitarist Mark Kendall, rhythm guitarist Michael Lardie, and drummer Audie Desbrow perform with a renewed sense of fervor and conviction. Scott Snyder presents an absolutely dazzling low end of bass. And then there lead vocalist Terry Illous of XYZ fame, unleashing the stunning vocals with an exhillararing amount of passion. Full Circle is the auditory testament of the modern day Great White, and it’s a triumphant endeavor well worth seeking out in the shark infested waters of sonic mayhem and well beyond.
(Review by Ken Morton)
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