Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Thompson, Michael
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2012
Duration: 52:54
Rating: 5/5
Michael Thompson is an American guitarist who has been anchored on the scene for the vast majority of acts as a studio legionnaire on the albums of many renowned artists. Just to list a »handful« of the biggest among them: Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, ‘N Sync, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins, Cher, Ray, Charles, Michael McDonalds, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, The Scorpions, Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Madonna, Babyface, En Vogue, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Stanley Clarke.
Those of you who follow melodic rock / AOR probably didn’t miss the release of the debut by the Michael Thompson Band on Geeffen Records back in 1989, titled »How Long«. It’s a gem of AOR music that came out just as the genre’s commercial zenith was slowly fading, with lead vocals by Thompson’s friend Rick Moon Calhoun and a slew of big names guesting on it, among them: Bobby Kimball (Toto), John Elefante (Mastedon, ex-Kansas), John Keane, Terry Bozzio (Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Missing Persons), Pat Thorpey (Mr. Big),… Michael also got help with the songwriting at the time from other rock heavyweights, such as: Billy Trudell, Jeff Paris, Adrian Gurvitz, Martin Walsh, Mark Spiro and Brett Walker. The track Can’t Miss from that album even landed the band high up on the hit charts of the day. In 2007, »How Long« was reissued by Frontiers Records, remastered and with bonus tracks. That album belongs in the collection of every true fan of the »west AOR coast« approach to melodic rock.
The intro was necessary, since Michael Thompson isn’t exactly a name that rattles the daily tabloids, right? It was also necessary so that even a layperson can see right away that you don’t mess with Michael Thompson. This is an exceptional master of his craft. »Future Past« continues the path laid out by the debut. It offers a collection of 10 superbly chiseled »west coast AOR anthems« that you simply can’t fault in any way. It’s a perfectly balanced combination of guitar-driven playing, pop sonic sophistication, and a masterful vocal performance by singer Larry King, who sounds roughly like a distant version of Chris Thompson (ex-MMEB), or at times even like Bob Catley of Magnum being forced to sing in a Survivor “tribute to” band. Don’t take that last remark literally, just as a rough guide to what awaits you on »Future Past«.
Whatever Michael Thompson’s mind touches in the arrangements lands on fertile ground when it comes to realization. At times the sophistication wonderfully broadens the record’s expressive range. Especially in the quiet parts, that strong studio polish sparkles, where there are no hiding places and you’re the master of your craft, which means you can’t go wrong at your job. You can’t overlook the sonic perfection in layering collages of a »full-chested« soundscape and blending them together. That perfection stands out in the »soft« moments, such as the gorgeous, gradually building intro to Break Me Down, which doesn’t hide the studio muscle and sensitivity of perfectionists in the Toto mold, while the chorus, in its polish and melodic power, invites comparisons to the melodies of the famous Alan Parsons Project hit Eye in the Sky. And that’s not the only song on the album brimming with expressive perfection, arrangement insight, melodic completeness and, of course, sonic refinement. Along with its instant, first-listen melodic catchiness, all of this makes for a hugely addictive musical mix for every AOR fan, one that will automatically send shivers down your spine. For »Future Past«, Michael Thompson recorded yet another new version of his big 1989 hit Can’t Miss, which fits right in with the rest of the new record’s substance.
»Future Past« is an outstanding document, laid down on tape in flawless fashion. Fans of bands like Survivor, a bit of Journey, then the Mecca project, the great masters Toto, the solo work of Survivor singer Jimi Jamison, Jim Peterik (ex-Survivor), the Pride Of Lions lineup, and of course the solo album by Pride Of Lions vocalist Toby Hitchcock, should absolutely try this gem of perfect AOR. It’s a document that proves the ideas for it are of older origin and were honed to perfection over quite a few years. There’s no need to point out that Michael Thompson is simply a gentleman with a magical touch. From masterfully cut and laid-down guitar phrases of great artistic insight, outstanding solos with a wisely placed arrangement of notes that only deepen the atmospheric reach and compactness of the songs, to the crafty care in dressing up the tunes with vocal harmonies, arranging synth curtains and so on,…
In short. Michael Thompson is a man who thought of every last detail again. He has seen too many studios, picked up too much knowledge and experience in his whole prolific career as a studio musician, helping the biggest artists of the rock and pop world. He’s too well-versed to overlook any important detail. And simply put, »Future Past« is a reflection of all that. So, all you AOR diehards, those of you still kicking, don’t waste a single second of your day, and get hold of this beautiful piece of music as soon as you can.
Lineup
Larry King – vocals
Michael Thompson – guitar, keyboards
Alan Berliant – bass guitar
Khari Parker – drums
Production
Larry King & Michael Thompson
Track list
1 High Times
2 Can’t be Right
3 Future Past
4 When You Love Someone
5 Here I Am
6 Beautiful Mystery
7 Break Me Down
8 End Game
9 Gypsy Road
10 Can’t Miss 2012
11 Fight For Your Life
