Artist: Serpentine
Label: AOR Heaven Records
Released: 2010
Runtime: 54:18
Rating: 3.5/5
Serpentine are a younger-breed British melodic rock outfit who ran a bit short on steam when it came to rounding out their ranks with a singer who matches them in age. Given their old-school style, their approach to songwriting and the way they shape their sound, they had no choice but to hunt down the best vocalist they could find for flawless, melodically pure singing. And that’s a seriously tough job, one that can turn into a double-edged sword in the blink of an eye. So when you’re picking for something this delicate, it sometimes pays to reach for proven quality.
Serpentine found their answer in TNT singer Tony Mills. For Tony, who would struggle to make a convincing case for the quality of TNT’s last two albums (as complete albums, anyway), Serpentine is the perfect moment to relive the nostalgic days with British AOR greats Shy, whom Tony left with an indelible mark thanks to his charismatic voice. Serpentine are not Shy. Don’t worry. But the basic mold is the same: this is a younger cousin in style and sound. Weave in the ultra-melodic, crystal-clear, decisive, explosive and always commanding vocals of the phenomenal Mills, and it’s obvious that Serpentine remind you of Shy a little the whole way through.
And since Mills is already a proven “British Steve Perry,” you should know that Serpentine also bring in the background the essence of those unforgettable melodic vocal “curves” of the enigmatic Journey singer. Yep. Serpentine is a band that won’t just appeal to fans of the British take on AOR rock, but also to fans of acts like Journey, Valentine or early Two Fires.
Serpentine have a great feel for cruising through polished melodies that are clear and catchy, with expertly highlighted lead motifs. The production is slick and detailed down to the finest filigree. The building blocks sit in a balanced mix, with Mills’ vocals playing the central figure who grabs most of the attention. The instrumental parts are way, way simpler than what we know from Shy, and above all the arsenal of musical talent, experience and know-how in Serpentine is much weaker and less interesting than with their countrymen in Shy. It’s not hard to conclude from that that the songs still carry some untapped potential. But the foundation is enviable and delivers a top-quality AOR rock album that proudly justifies walking in the footsteps of the old, tried-and-tested school of the eighties.
There’s no big gap in quality between the songs. A few moments stand out for their sheer catchiness, like the superb AOR choruses of Lonely Nights, Fashion and Love Suicide. The one track that sticks out a bit, though it doesn’t spoil the overall picture of Serpentine, is of course the cover of an evergreen by American singer Toni Braxton, Unchain My Heart, which is parked at the end so its presence “disturbs” as little as possible. As for the danger of the album sliding into watered-down cliché, Tony’s superb vocal approach, with its unique charm and essence, keeps smashing it down all the way through.
With their debut, Serpentine prove they’re a quality new band that knows what it’s doing and what it wants to do. Things in the studio are crystal clear, with ideas polished into a compact, high-octane AOR sound. “A Touch Of Heaven” is an excellent foundation for taking even bolder musical steps in the future. The band has potential, and the debut definitely hides a few more reserves, which will no doubt be cashed in on future releases. “A Touch Of Heaven” is a real band-aid for everyone who is desperately missing a new record from Shy, who haven’t stretched their limbs since 2005, and for those of you who know that Mills’ potential with the classic Norwegian melodic hard rockers TNT is, for now, still deeply wasted. “A Touch Of Heaven” is an album tailor-made for lovers of the AOR sound, especially those who go for the British approach to the genre.
Lineup
Tony Mills – vocals
Christopher Gould – guitar
John Clews – guitar
Gareth David Noon – keyboards
Gareth Vanstone – bass guitar
Charlie Skeggs – drums
Production
Mark V Stuart
Tracklist
1. A Touch Of Heaven
2. Whatever Heartache
3. Lonely Nights
4. For The Love Of It All
5. Let Love Rain Down
6. In My Blood
7. Fashion
8. We Belong
9. Love Suicide
10. Unbreak My Heart
