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MILLENIUM 'The Best Of And More' Frontiers FRCD213 (2004)
A two-disc ‘Best Of’ from the band that rose from the ashes of one of Now
& Then’s first signings, Eyewitness, who released two albums of average hard
rock. They have featured two vocalists. Todd Plant who sang on the band’s
self-titled debut (released in 1997) and ‘Angelfire’, before Jorn Lande (The
Snakes) took over for ‘Hourglass’, which saw the band plough a more melodic
hard rock path (very Whitesnake at times it has to be said). There are 28
tracks spread across these two CD’s, of which ten are previously unreleased
- so this is pretty essential for fans.
Disc one treats include ‘Power To Love’ (I defy any rock fan not to get
down and boogie to this track), from its opening acappella through to the
piano and guitar solo mid section it’s a damn fine tune. ‘Superstar’ again
has a catchy chorus, whilst ‘Hourglass’ has Jorn Lande putting the song
firmly into latter day Whitesnake territory. Personally I prefer the Jorn
Lande fronted tracks as for me has the more powerful voice.
Disc two has some real treats in the unreleased covers, pick of which is
Rainbow’s ‘I Surrender’ (that sees onetime Rainbow keyboard player Don Airey
reprising his original parts) and the Sweet’s ‘Love Is Like Oxygen’ - the
full version complete with slow building guitar solo. Two unreleased
‘Hourglass’ tracks as well - ‘Rain’ and ‘Anybody’ plus four demo versions of
earlier tracks.
A well thought out ‘Best Of’ with plenty to tempt in new and existing
fans alike. The band has released a new album, ‘Jericho’ which saw vocalist
Todd Plant return to the line-up.
****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Label website
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