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H R H - R E V I E W S
Liberty n' Justice
Comments: Soundtrack to a Soul sees Liberty n' Justice continuing where they left off on their 2004 release, Welcome to the Revolution, by featuring many of today's finest rock vocalists. The current lineup of singers is certainly a "who's who" in today's music scene. Joining Liberty n' Justice on the new CD are: Ez Gomer (Jet Circus), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Russell Arcara (Prophet, Acara), Jamie Rowe (Guardian, Adriangale), Dale & Troy Thompson (Bride), Leif Garrett, Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), Josh Kramer (Saint), Scott Wenzel (White Cross), Tony Harnell (TNT), Jani Lane (Warrant), Pete Loran (Trixter), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), Joe Cerisano (Silver Condor), Ted Poley (Danger Danger), Phil Naro (Talas), and Mike Lee (Barren Cross). Many of these vocalists are known in Christian rock circles while others are familiar to metal and hard rock fans. Several guest musicians make appearances as well including: Mikkey Dee (Motorhead), Tim Gaines (Stryper), Keri Kelli, Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Tim Bushong (Love War, John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society) and Charlie Calv (Shotgun Symphony). The band was founded in '91 by Justin Murr and Patrick Marchand. Since then, Liberty n' Justice has delivered their Christian message on several releases. Soundtrack to a Soul takes a slightly different direction for Liberty n' Justice, bringing on producer, Mike Layne (Leaderdogs, Mudvayne), the band merges a modern rock sound with their traditional roots driven hard rock vibe. The CD opens with a clip taken from the movie "School of Rock," featuring Jack Black leading us in prayer to the God of Rock. After a brief silence the heavy hitting "Kings of Hollywood" brings the music to your ears. Ez Gomer vocals give a subtle hint to Michael Sweet of Stryper, although his delivery is much more "metal." The guitars are pushing the limits of overdriven chaos. Sebastian Bach hams it up on the modern sounding "Another Nail," the drums dominate the song while Bach growls in grand form, "one by one there goes another nail in your coffin." The interlude highlights the bass guitar with guitar solo interplay which pushes back into the chorus. "State of Grace" is the first song up to feature some of the best vocal work on the CD. Great lyrics and musical arrangements make this song a winner. The songs instrumentation is well balanced and has a big open feel to it. "Malice in Wonderland" is the next strongest vocal performance on the CD, Jaimie Rowe's husky voice fits the music perfectly … the lyrics are thought provoking and original. "Grenade" is heavy, up tempo rocker; the vocals are harsh and edgy. "Show Me the Way," featuring Oni Logan of Lynch Mob fame has harmonized vocal melodies that are pure "Lynch Mob." This song certainly could have come right off of the debut CD of Lynch Mob. "Sight Unseen" opens with a cool acoustic guitar riff that rolls into a bluesy, foot tapping groove…hard to believe that this is Leif Garret on vocals as he sounds a lot like bands like Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver vocalist Scott Weiland. "Up That Hill" has a lot of characteristics of the first half of the CD and is a very modern sounding song. "Surreal" is some studio banter that provides some humorous relief, giving the listener an opportunity to take a break from the CD. Probably the most modern sounding song is "Flinch." Tony Harnell handles the vocals, the guitars a heavy and there are guttural raging vocal lines that make appearances throughout the song. Harnell sounds really good and shows he can sing over most any type of song structure. "Thy Will Be Done" has Jani Lane and Pete Loran teaming up for a very XYZ sounding song. Their voices work well together, the music is cool and laid back in the verses and kicks hard in the choruses. Stephen Pearcy takes his shot at vocal duties on "Killer Grin," he sounds like, well … Stephen Pearcy. "If The World Could Be Mine," perhaps the first true ballad, has the husky voice of Joe Cerisano, the song is almost Kansas in nature building from the vocal sung over a piano and building into more elaborate orchestration. "Always Tomorrow" is pop rock tune in line with songs done by Enuff 'Znuff. Here Ted Poley handles the vocals; the song is lavish in instrumentation and very melodic and powerful. The CD begins it wind down with "Hope & Pray / Ballad of King David," which isn't a down trodden track but a catchy rockin' song. The final song "Make Believe" closes out the music, Mike Lee handles the vocals … the song has and alternative feel. The outro features the band giving thanks to fans for listening and discusses hope through Christ. Soundtrack
to a Soul features a better cohesive feel than its predecessor, Welcome
to the Revolution. There are variances in the way that the instrumentation
was recorded from song to song but overall the song structures and
the way the song order is lined up holds together the integrity of
the CD. The vocalists involved all provide top notch performances
and prove to the listener why they are consider some of the best in
the genre of rock. Additional instrumentation from the guest artist
also make this a interesting listen. Track
listing:
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Copyright © 2003 - 2007 Hardrock Haven aka John Kindred
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