Chris Laney Pure
by Edwin van Hoof
Staff Writer
Chris Laney is the award winning Swedish producer, engineer, song writer also known for his duties alongside Randy Piper in his band Animal. Laney has geared up with some of the genres most infamous names like Piper, Zinny Zan, Bruce Kulick and Mats Levén to create what can be best described as a hit! Somewhat out of the ordinary is his co-production with Lennart Östlund, the former ABBA producer who also signed for credits as Laney’s song writer.
Pure is an absolute growing gem that captures the imagination of fans of melodic rock instantly. Songs gripping back to the heydays of hair metal and melodic hymns in the eighties which sprouted classics like Warrant, Def Leppard, as well as revamping the career of Kiss. Indeed, these bands are all to be counted as influences of Laney’s sound. It is hard rocking, mega melodic and driven with a focus on slick and sticky melodies and a larger than life rock sound. “Situation”, “I Dunno” and “Get You Down” will revive the sound of those remarkable bands with panache. Captivating hooks and ear mingling melodies, further crystallized to perfection in the absolute killer tracks “The Stranger in You” and “Last man Standing”, both absolute magical rock tunes. Songs which will instantly nest in your brain and have you tapping and humming along. Not too slick … balancing on the edge of perfection.
“Pissed at What Ya Missed” and “I Hate Yer Guts” reveal an angry bite as well as they deliver a more emotional and personal reflection of Laney. Diversity which is also found on the more pompous and eclectic “Skin on Skin” which grips back more to bands like White Sister and Robbie Valentine’s debut. It is exactly this diversity which also makes it a pleasure to experience all the way through.
Chris Laney’s debut is an absolute hit and a must have for fans of the here for mentioned acts. It is compelling, driven and performed with the utmost honesty of a man with a keen ear for captivating riffs and slick harmonies. All molded into what might be the best debut release of 2009 already!
Label: Metal Heaven Records
Track Listing:
1. Situation
2. I Dunno
3. Make You Cry
4. The Stranger In You
5. Fire & Ice
6. I Hate Yer Guts
7. Get U Down
8. Pissed At What Ya Missed
9. Make My Day
10. Last Man Standing
11. Skin On Skin
12. Pride B 4 The Fall
HRH Rating: 8.9/10