Search - Lillian Axe :: Poetic Justice

Get your hands on this one...you won't regret it

D. Graham | 08/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll never understand how this band went unnoticed. Talent like this deserved a whole lot better than they got. Poetic Justice is incredible!



Where to begin. The songwriting is superb, light years ahead of many of the other bands that were popular in the late 80's/early 90's. The songs range from soulful ballads to light-hearted melodic rock to straight up rockers. The lyrics are meaningful but not sappy or over-the-top. Lots of great harmonies in the vocals. Tight guitars, great drumming that supports the bass, rythm, and vocals without overpowering them. Just all-around great musicianship.



My favorite tracks are True Believer, Body Double, Mercy, and She's My Salvation, but honestly, every track is the best track. And the songs are not dated at all. They still sound relevant today.



It's a crime this band wasn't the biggest band of the century. We gave up this music for gangsters, thugs, criminals, pimps, and lame emo/screamo pussies whining about what victims they are. Pathetic!



If you like melodic rock/metal and great songwriting you will absolutely love this one. Get it without delay!"

A gem that has stood the test of time

gooup | Louisiana | 11/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The very fact that this album went largely unnoticed is a testament to the inability of the American public to know a good thing when it's staring them right in the face. This well-crafted work of art contains nary a song that even remotely resembles what could be construed as "filler."



The album opens with "Poetic Justice", an instrumental precursor to what awaits you. Soft, lush and mesmerizing ... Blaze shows the very diversity of his musical prowess in this 39 second-long invocation. "Innocence" roars to life with a barrage of Blaze's unmistakable style of guitar stylings, only to be followed by Ron Taylor's velvety pipes. OUTSTANDING.



"True Believer" ... what more can be said about a true classic? This testament to faith - in relation to the supernatural, as well as the belief in one's relationships - moves supernatural mountains. "Body Double" is the rare naughty song in Lillian's catalog ... i hear Ron Taylor's influence on this one - a song about a sordid affair with apparently double-jointed twins. (sigh..)



Prepare yourself for the life altering affects of "See you someday" ... this sweltering mix of keys and guitar culminate into an emotional roller coaster. This song sings of the regrets, the triumphs and, dare i say the need to go back to those we have lost in our lives. "Will you ever know what i wanted to say? Maybe you'll find a way, and i'll see you someday ..." Steve, you got me through the death of so many close ones with this one. God bless you for your gift.



"Living in the Grey" - to me - sings of a time of year that, with its arrival each year, brings a melancholy sense of "what was." For me, it's the cold chill of November that coincides with the death of a very special girl ... and for that (blessedly) short, cold season i live in the grey.



"Digital Dreams" is another eerie, ethereal instrumental. The perfect precursor to "Dyin' to live", which i interpret as wishing for the ability to share one's sense of hope with a loved one who feels hopelessness. "Mercy" continues with the theme of Faith. i hear Steve's frustrations with God, Faith and those who use that faith when it's convenient - while it tells of a God who loves unconditionally. Breathtakingly simple, yet the concept still blows me away.



"The Promised Land" opens with the night prayer we often recited as children, and speaks of the hope of that reunion with those we love who have gone before us. The solo on this one is beauty and anguish lulled into submission by Blaze. Amazing!



"No Matter What" is a remake of an old Badfinger tune, and the Axe does an inspired tribute to the orignal. Taylor's handling of vocals is flawless, and the vamped up tempo is something i always thought this song needed. It's always great to hear a band take a song and truly make it their own. Lillian Axe certainly did it with this tune!



"She's my Salvation" is a story of making that which we love our saving grace. John Ster's voice booms as he speaks "Find salvation in something or someone and make that your sanctuary. Unless you do this, you're lost." Freaking fantastic!



"A moment of reflection" closes the album out with lush, sweeping melodies of synth and guitars. A fitting closing to a phenomenal album.



A phenomenal effort, i wholeheartedly give this one 5 stars!!!"

Wish I could give more than 5 stars!

RedBlaze02 | USA | 08/15/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somehow, Lillian Axe's songwriting grows with every album and this follow-up to Love and War is no exception. There are so many songs with killer riffs and leads on this album. There's also a lot of contrast and powerful transitions within songs, with many songs having lots of cranked-up riffs intertwined with acoustic guitar parts, displaying Steve Blaze's mastery of meoldic metal and classical guitar, along with his songwriting. He always does what is best for the song as his solos are songs in and of themselves. Of course, there's also great vocals and drums. The production on Ron's vocals is great here, very natural sounding, with a touch of reverb seeming to be the only noticible effect. Drums are clear, with great snap. The guitar tone is awesome, sounding like a Marshall in your room. This is yet another underrated gem."