Nelson Lightning Strikes Twice
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
It’s been a decade since we last saw a new studio album from Nelson. The one-time chart-toppers have been playing live over the last several years, but a resurgence in melodic rock – particularly the ‘80s variety – brought Mathew and Gunnar Nelson back to the studio for their eighth album, titled Lightning Strikes Twice.
Despite a series of perfectly solid albums, the first question that comes to mind when spinning Lightning Strikes Twice is how well it stacks up against Nelson’s classic debut After the Rain. Obviously the Nelson twins are older and wiser, and this album reflects that maturity, though there’s still a fair amount of energy and spirit to be found.
Album opener “Call Me” is a terrific single, and brings to mind the band’s underrated Because They Can album. After that the album takes an interesting turn. Actually, it turns into a Bon Jovi album. “Day By Day” sounds like it came off the latest Bon Jovi disc, and the wickedly melodic “How Can I Miss You” could have been a 7800 Fahrenheit b-side. There are moments, particularly on songs like “You’re All I Need Tonight” where you hear the brothers’ famous vocal harmonies, and the tranquil ballad “To Get Back to You” (which features a guest appearance by Toto’s Steve Lukather) where you know you’re hearing vintage Nelson, but for the most part Lightning Strikes Twice seems like the best Bon Jovi album since Keep the Faith. This isn’t a bad thing at all, as the style is perfect for Nelson’s talents.
It may not recapture the same energy that After the Rain had, but Lightning Strikes Twice is still a very strong melodic rock album that should satisfy most Nelson fans, as well as fans of classic, ‘80s style melodic rock in general. It’s a very polished, very melodic and extremely well written album that showcases two of the best performers in the genre. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many new albums.
Genre: Melodic Rock
Band:
Gunnar Nelson (v) (g)
Matthew Nelson (v) (b)
Gary Corbett (k) (p)
Brian Burwell (d)
David Morgan (p) (v)
Track Listing:
1. Call Me
2. Day By Day
3. Ready, Willing and Able
4. How Can I Miss You
5. You’re All I Need Tonight
6. To Get Back To You
7. When You’re Gone
8. Take Me There
9. Come
10. In It For the Money
11. Change a Thing
12. Kickin’ My Heart Around
Label: Frontiers
Website: www.myspace.com/officialnelson
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10