STATETROOPER - The Calling
January 31, 2005, 19 years ago
(CIC Records)
Having seen this lot supporting Lionsheart and delivering a decent show, I had high expectations for this, their latest CD. I am not sure whether it's the recording or the mastering, but things feel rather limp on this disc. They are not help by the sometimes twee lyrics and the entire MOR feel to the whole thing. Many times the music on here drifts into Bolton-like territory, while live the feel is more Van Halen (with keyboards). Tracks like 'Casablanca' and 'Marrionettes' just don't seem to work here. Barton's voice seems oddly muted and lost in the mix, not allowing him his full power and range. The keyboards on here are very '80s in their feel as well. A much better band utilizing this sort of '80s pop rock approach is the excellent Strangeways. The last track, 'I Believe' serves to leave the listener with a sickly sweet taste. After the performance I heard on Saturday night, I really tried hard to like this CD, but alas all I can muster is a muted OK.
