CD´s Reviews
Release Date: 15th Of May 2003
Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals; Marcel Jacob - Guitars, Bass; Fredrik Åkesson - Guitars; Jamie Borger - Drums, Percussion
After a detour under the synonymous "Humanimal", Talisman is back with full force. "Cats & Dogs" is their first album on Frontiers Records and the band sounds sparkling with ideas and musical capability.
The band consists of technical skilled musicians, which always makes a Talisman record an exhibition in superb vocals, great guitar riffs and monster bass playing. The foundation stone in Talisman is lead vocalist Jeff Scott Soto and bass player Marcel Jacob. They both played in Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force on his first albums. Frederik Åkesson on guitar has a very inventive style with great melodic riffs and harmonies. He spices his chord playing with entertaining facets. Jamie Borger is a solid drummer and he completes Talisman into a well-oiled machine.
"Cats & Dogs" follows the style from Talisman's latest studio effort "Life". "Life" proved long lasting and "Cats & Dogs" has same integrity, but the material is even stronger than "Life".
Album opener Skin on Skin is characteristic of the album, since the song contains a great guitar riff followed closely by Marcel's bass. The song changes pace when the chorus kicks in. Like the album, Skin on Skin focuses on the melodies in favor of the technical playing.
The album uses the first 3 songs to warm up the listener and the rest of the album is pure Hard Rock heaven. Love will Come Again has a mellow verse, which is followed by an amazing hookline for the chorus. Fredrik Åkesson plays an ingenious outro solo. The melodic chorus on Love will Come Again is the most outstanding on "Cats and Dogs" along with Wherever, Whenever, Whatever, which builds up for the chorus. Wherever, Whenever, Whatever is splashing melodic right from the intro, where the guitar plays the melody line. The song is consistent with its underlying emotion and the join in the singing.
The sign of Talisman is always their groovy playing. The album features 3 real groovy Rock 'n' Rollers. The moody Friends to Strangers is among the best songs on the album and Trapped rocks big time. Marcel Jacob's bass is a bit funky on Trapped giving the song power and a groovy subharmonic. Outta My Way has a monster bass intro from Marcel and an amazing bass/guitar duel.
Talisman is never trapped in their technical superiority. Their songs always have the melody in focus and then spice the melody with some musical swagger.
The production elucidates all instruments and gives all members room to unfold on their instruments. Just like a good meal, the rhythm section in Talisman is the main ingredient, while Jeff Scott Soto's strong vocals are the flavour.
Talisman has their own style and on "Cats & Dogs" they justify themselves as band by giving us a fresh and inspired album packed with long durable songs.