Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals; Marcel Jacob - Guitars, Bass; Fredrik Åkesson - Guitars; Jamie Borger - Drums, Percussion

3 years gone by since the amazing "Cats and Dogs". Now Talisman is back with their seventh studio effort.

After 16 years in this business the band managed to create their own style in Hard Rock, which both is an advantage and disadvantage on "7". You sure know what you get and won't be disappointed - on the other hand this record is just like all the others.

On "7" Talisman doesn't sound as inspired and the band doesn't make most of their huge potential. Talisman lacks the usual juice and power in their rocking songs - listen to On My Way, which has a catchy chorus but otherwise harmless

Marcel Jacob's characteristic thunderous bass playing isn't as prominent on the record, but Falling and Succumb 2 my Desire is classic Marcel Jacob. Also guitarist Fredrik Åkesson's playing isn't as sharp as usual. "7" definitely is the "most "Jeff Scott Soto" album from Talisman

Like stated in the beginning you know what you get with Talisman and again they managed to write some great songs. From first listen it is obvious that Nowhere Fast is the hit single and the most accessible song of the record. The song starts directly with a catchy chorus and Jeff Scott Soto acts as a toastmaster during the song guiding the listener through the song.

Other memorable songs include the ultra melodic Shed a tear Goodbye with a marvellous solo (finally) from Åkesson and Rhyme & Reason, whichhas same feel and mid-tempo groove as Crazy.

Right now Jeff Scott Soto's career might peak since he fronts Journey and he is the draw right now for Talisman. The band may try and turn some Journey fans onto the new record, which can explain the lack of rockers and toughness in the songs. On the last album Talisman proved that they could write very powerful mid-tempo songs like Friends to Strangers, but this batch of songs lack edge. Jeff Scott Soto hits a couple of notes where he sounds exactly like Steve Perry on The 1 I'm Living for - a song that best can be described as a hybrid of Journey and Talisman

Overall a good record but a bit disappointing for Talisman, who is quite a different calibre from other bands.