The Poodles Clash Of The Elements
by Mike Debbage
Staff Writer
Beginning in 2005, the musical career of The Poodles was kick started via the rather mainstream Eurovision Song Contest as Sweden’s representative. This was probably not the most authentic way for a metal band to set the world on fire. Nevertheless, two respectable albums later and grinding tours that also included a stint with the Swiss band Gotthard, it was time for The Poodles to return to the studio. This time around, they sought the assistance of famous producer-mixer Mike Fraser whose credits include working with Aerosmith, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Whitesnake, just to name a few. Needless to say, the material and sound show that The Poodles are no longer just Eurovision material but are ready to take on the world.
Clash Of The Elements represents the first album since the departure of guitarist Pontus Norgren, who did not like direction that the band was taking, and his replacement Henrik Bergqvist. With no disrespect to Norgren, the effects were inconsequential. In fact, the14-track album shows that The Poodles were paying attention while they were on tour with Gotthard, as the anthem and positive melodic themes are delivered here with similar effects. The album opens to the sounds of atmospheric strings and sound effects that merge into the mid-paced, moody “Too Much Of Everything.” Considering the consumers’ demands for instant pleasure, this may not have been the smartest sequential move, but the raving follow-up track “Caroline” instantly transforms the disposition of the album. Similar results can be found on the adrenaline-filled “I Rule The Night.”
The album is evenly spotted with its fair share of mid-tempo ballads, which include the more successful “One Out Of Ten” and “Can’t Let You Go.” The album closes out with the building melancholy of “Wings Of Destiny” in which orchestration works as a tremendous backdrop to Henrik’s refined but powerful guitar work. Somewhere in between the rockers and the ballads, you can find pleasure courtesy of “7 Days And 7 Nights” in which adrenaline comes courtesy of a honky-tonk attitude reminiscent of Guns N Roses. Or check out the fist-pumping “Like No Tomorrow” in which The Poodles parallel the previously mentioned Gotthard.
Though there is not a lot of originality with The Poodles, this is overcome by compositions that are driven by memorable hooks and anthems presenting a glamorous twist on their very melodic rock approach. While the band may be named after the hair band or poodle rock era that their music encapsulates, Clash Of The Elements shows absolutely no sign of being a dog.
Genre: Glam Rock
Band: www.poodles.se
Track Listing:
1. Too Much Of Everything
2. Caroline
3. Like No Tomorrow
4. One Out Of Ten
5. I Rule The Night
6. Give Me A Sign
7. Sweet Enemy
8. 7 Days And 7 Nights
9. Pilot Of The Storm
10. Can’t Let You Go
11. Don’t Rescue Me
12. Heart Of Gold
13. Dream To Follow
14. Wings Of Destiny
Label: www.blisteringrecords.se
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10