Alfonzetti: Here Comes The Night

Back in 1989 the first band I ever saw who deemed my home town of Perth in Scotland worthy of a gig were Jagged Edge (they actually supported Thunder) and ever since then I've had a soft spot for the warm, easy, bluesy style of then JE vocalist Matti Alfonzetti. The big Swede has had a long and varied career both before and since his Jagged days, fronting everyone from Bam Bam Boys and Talisman to SkinTrade and Boxer. In that time Matti has also released two solo albums, 2000's Ready and Machine from two years later, before moving on to the band Road To Ruin and then writing and producing for bands such as The Poodles.

So nine years down the road from his last solo offering it comes as a welcome surprise to see a third Alfonzetti release scheduled, titled Here Comes The Night, on which Matti plays bass and guitar as well as handling the vocals. Drums and keyboards come courtesy of Daniel Flores (Philip Bardowell/Codex), with guitarists Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt) and Emil Fredholm (Plankton) adding the lead licks. In terms of style Matti has headed back to his debut solo release for inspiration, with strong flavours of prime time Bon Jovi and early Europe in evidence across much of this disc. Unfortunately that blueprint does lead us down some overly trodden paths and while the vocals do add a bluesy richness, I have to say I'd personally prefer to hear Matti really let go, adding more aggression and passion to these songs.

Here Comes The Night does begin to grow on you after repeated listens, although even then not enough of its hooks and licks really cling in the mind for long after it has finished. Closing track "I Will Never Let You Fall" does bring a far tougher edge, with a punchier vocal and strident riff and much more of this up tempo fare would have made for a better balanced album. As it is Here Comes The Night is just a little formulaic and safe, and in a year that has seen some genuinely stunning melodic rock hit the streets, this album just doesn't quite have enough about it to hold your attention.

Track Listing
1. Losing You
2. Here Comes the Night
3. I'll Wait for You
4. Heartbreaker
5. Don't Listen to Your Heart
6. Why Can´t You Love Me
7. Lay Your Love on Me
8. Rock n Roll Heart
9. Set Me Free
10. I Will Never Let You Fall

Added: November 18th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Matti Alfonzetti Facebook Page
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Language: english

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