A strong 3 1/2 stars
eveoflove | North York, Ontario Canada | 04/22/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Made in JAP in 2006, Serial# TKCA-72985, Playing Time 54:35
It's been a long time (1989!) since LOUDNESS' vocalist released a "solo" album... but Minoru's voice ages well!
With a rhythm section consisting of Vinny Appice on drums and Jeff Pilson on bass (who made up DIO's backbone for awhile), this album allows both Minoru and guitarist/co-writer Hiroaki Tagawa plenty of room to stretch out.
The bulk of the lyrics are in English, but still reflect Mr. Niihara's strong accent... Nevertheless, the song structures are strong and in-your-face, but, perhaps more importantly, have arrangements that are very melodic (not commercial/over-polished, but not grungy/distorted either). Perhaps a lesson the guys in LOUDNESS need to learn in order to return to the "Disillusion" type of sound.
Some of the tracks are instant winners (especially at both ends of the disc), while the other half require a closer listen before they grow on you (for example, "Is This First Time?" will force you to read the lyrics, but they're worth it!).
Oddly enough, there is some possible confusion about the album title... for those of you old enough to remember the first "RealLemon" TV commercial (we're going back a few decades here!), with the Japanese chef pronouncing it "RealRemon, made with real remons", or some older movies with Japanese concert crowds screaming "Lock And Loll!!!", portions of the artwork on the "Ashes To Glory" CD actually have "Ashes To Groly" printed on them?!? (I'm NOT kidding!)
All in all, this Minoru Niihara CD beats (in my opinion) the bulk of the LOUDNESS releases since the early 90's.
A definite "must" for the LOUDNESS fans of their earlier era (up to the "Hurricane Eyes" album), and here's hoping to a North-American release to make this a more affordable purchase!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1