These are expensive times for all the fans of Talisman, because hot on the heels of the "Live at the Sweden Rock Festival" album (recorded in 2001), here's "Cats And Dogs", the brand-new studio album recorded last year in Acqui Terme, Italy.

Let me shed some light on the matter of the band name. As you might know, Talisman officially threw in the towel after the release of the inconspicuous "Truth" album, but shortly after Jeff Scott Soto, Marcel Jacob and Pontus Norgren (guitar) joined forces with Thomas Broman (ex-Great King Rat, drums) and re-emerged on the scene as Humanimal.

No wonder their self-titled debut album, which was released by Z Records in 2001, sounded like the two "Humanimal" albums Talisman released through Empire Records halfway the 90s! "Humanimal" was a good album and originally the band was happy with Z Records, but when this British label didn't keep its promises, their enthusiasm soon dampened and resulted in a band split.

Last summer Frontiers Records proudly announced the signing of Talisman, featuring original guitarist Fredrik Åkesson besides the nucleus of Soto and Jacob plus drummer Jamie Borger.

Up to now I've been reading mainly good reviews about this brand-new Talisman album, but personally I don't think it's that special. I have been a fan of the band since day one and believe me, they have released better albums than this one, their eponymous debut album still being their absolute highlight.

Having said this, I hasten to add that "Cats And Dogs" is not their worst album as well. It's just that I miss those sparks that make me shiver whenever I hear a quality song. With an album as catchy as Jeff Scott Soto's brilliant latest solo album, I would have been a much happier man...