Bangalore Choir: Metaphor

You've heard the story a hundred times before. If it hadn't been for grunge, then this band, or that band would have been huge. Well in the case of Bangalore Choir, it happens to be true. As with almost all rock acts of the time, the Bangalorians were lumped in with the rest of the "hair bands" (whatever that meant), with the fact that the David Reece (Accept/Gypsy Rose) fronted outfit actually produced an altogether classier brand of blues laden rock, being deemed irrelevant. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and looking back to On Target - the 1992 debut effort from Bangalore Choir - the fact this band never got a fair crack first time round really is a travesty. Eighteen years down the line and the rougher, tougher edged Cadence saw the trio of Reece, guitarist Curtis Mitchell and bassist Danny Greenberg resurrect the band with mightily impressive results. Something that album number three, Metaphor also lives up to.

The original threesome have once more teamed up with guitarist/producer Andy Susemihl to create an album full of twin fret fuelled rock that uses both post and pre 1987 Whitesnake as a starting point, while adding a bit more authenticity, but less crotch-thrusting fluff to the mix. Reece is considered one of the vocal masters of this style of music and on the evidence of Metaphor, quite rightly so. His mighty roar, but classy restraint, makes for an enticing mix, inviting you to step inside these songs, before he lets go, knocking you clean off your feet. Once again the pairing of Mitchell and Susemihl works a treat, with intricate double lead interplay punctuating some neat riffs and tasty motifs. Greenberg backs it all up with solid bass work that while never flashy, does add just the correct amount of oomph to the mix, something emphasised by the precise, but grooving percussion courtesy of newcomer to the BC drum stool Rene Letters.

For some Cadence took a little time to settle into being the classy collection of tunes that it still proves to be, with the slightly sharper, less forgiving guitar sound being less smoothly slick than those of On Target. Something that this time, the twin-lead duo seems to have taken on board. Metaphor isn't exactly a change of course, however the riffs are slightly more restrained than those on its predecessor, making for an overall vibe that sits expertly between this band's two previous releases. Less of a compromise and more of a natural evolution, Metaphor may be a smidge less punchy than expected, but that doesn't mean that it isn't capable of delivering some killer blows. The album's title track swaggers into view, brimming with a well earned confidence, dripping with blues, yet rockin' like a good-un. As expected Reece thrives in this surrounding, firing out the words with an easy confidence, something he lives up to on each and every song. "Catch An Angel Fallin'" eases the pace back a little, catching an infectious groove, while "All The Damage Done" darts from riff to riff via little guitar runs and an insistent beat. However you really could dip into this album at any stage to discover what feel good blues based rock is meant to sound like. Cleverly breaking things up, "Never Face Ole Joe Alone", introduces the old harmonica, tambourine and some steel guitar to make for a blues stomp of the highest order and while it is way more blues than rock, I have to say it is actually one of the best songs on a universally strong album.

Proving that Bangalore Choir didn't use up all their old mojo with their comeback effort, Metaphor refines the rock, bolsters the blues and delivers in spades!

Track Listing
1. All The Damage Done
2. Trojan Horse
3. Silhouettes On The Shade
4. Metaphor
5. Don't Act Surprised
6. Never Face Ole Joe Alone
7. Scandinavian Rose
8. Catch An Angel Fallin'
9. Civilized Evil
10. Fools Gold
11. Always Be My Angel

Added: April 28th 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Bangalore MySpace Page
Hits: 3314
Language: english

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