Michael Schenker - Temple Of Rock
2011, MVD Entertainment Group
2011, MVD Entertainment Group
The term gets thrown around looselyin modern jargon, but it's safe to say that Michael Schenker is a rock guitarlegend. It's difficult to bring even one band into the world spotlight, butsince the 1970's Schenker has been part of the rise of no less than three rockicons: U.F.O., The Scorpions, and The Michael Schenker Group. Schenker is aliving relic of an age before computers controlled the recording process; stillchoosing to hand-make his albums with the technology of yesterday. This sound,which speaks of yesterdays still to come, is fully in evidence on Schenker'slatest album, Temple Of Rock, due out on October 11, 2011.
While the sound still has somemagic, Schenker's songwriting is dated, out of touch with both the times andhis age. While many rockers of his generation have evolved as songwriters,Schenker is still prone to sing about parties, groupies and life on the road asif he were living it for the first time. While Schenker may lay honest claim tothe material as one of the original purveyors of the sound, it sounds cliché.Schenker does tackle the senselessness of war ("How Long"), butotherwise dwells on more superficial material. That's not to say he can't stillrock you once in a while. "How Long" will take you back to the 1980'sso fast you might need a neck brace, and "The End Of An Era" sounds abit like classic Guns N Roses. "Storming In" is the highlight of thedisc, a vibrant, high-energy rocker you just can't get out of your head.
The guitar work is still all thatyou'd expect. Schenker has always been able to rip up a fret board like veryfew of his peers, and the support he gets from co-conspirators such as CarmineAppice, Herman "The German" Rarebell (Scorpions), Pete Way, ChrisSlade and Doogie White (the Rainbows) is amazing. Still, the material on TempleOf Rock sounds horribly dated, as if Schenker was still trying to capturethe glory of thirty years ago rather than create a vital new work. That beingsaid, those longing for thirty years ago will be in their glory.
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more about Michael Schenker at www.michaelschenkerhimself.comor www.myspace.com/michaelschenkerhimself.
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