Jeff Scott Soto CD's are pointless for me to review as the man can virtually do no wrong vocally in my book.  The man is able to mix melody, soulfulness and hard rock like nobody else within the genre.  "Cats And Dogs" by Talisman features all these qualities plus an extremely cool CD cover that Zemsky could appreciate!

Lead track "Skin On Skin" is classic Soto from the standpoint of superior songwriting and delivery.  "Break It Down" is more of a straight ahead melodic metal track.  The seductive groove of "Love Will Come Again" highlights the harmonies of Talisman in support of Soto's soulful delivery.  Attitude is the word to describe the crunchy "Outta My Way" and heavy guitar filled "Trapped".

M.O.M. rocks hard with Fredik Åkesson laying down a firey guitar solo around his tasty riffs.  His playing also shines on the Jimi Hendrix's influenced "Lost In The Wasteland".  Closing track "Hell In Paradise" calls to mind "Eternal Prisoner" by Axel Rudi Pell, from when Soto was the lead vocalist for his project.

Talisman, who is supported by an excellent band consisting of Åkesson on guitars, Marcel Jacob on bass and Jamie Borger on drums are not afraid to intertwine metal with a groove.  While others such as Extreme tended to be annoying and too out front with this meshing of styles, Talisman is able to pull it off without a hitch.  Their ability to write quality songs that stick in your mind after one or two listens separates them from many other melodic metal bands.