Accomplice are a band that plays a 80's/90's retro hard rock style and features vocalist Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell), keyboard wiz Michael T. Ross (Hardline, Angel), guitar ace Sean Michael Clegg, and the rhythm team of bassist Scott J. Snyder & drummer Richard Arbuckle. With a few albums under their belt, the band have perhaps put together their strongest yet on She's On Fire. With Gioeli at the forefront, his husky pipes are the perfect foil for Clegg's lean and mean guitar riffs, giving the songs on She's On Fire a very warm and familiar feel, and sure to please fans of such bands as Van Halen, Nightranger, Hardline, Bon Jovi, Riverdogs, Dokken, Firehouse, TNT, and the Michael Schenker Group.
Tunes like "Again & Again" and "Shadows of My Mind" just scream late 80's AOR tinged hard rock, featuring Gioeli's excellent vocals and Clegg's tasty guitar work-the latter song has a particularly ripping solo from the axeman. "City Walls" almost has a sort of Vendenberg feel to it, while "Autobahn" is just a fun pedal-to-the-metal rocker in classic Van Halen tradition, filled with plenty of acrobatic guitar licks from Clegg. Speaking of Clegg, he's all over the place on the furious instrumental "Last Hurrah", a crankin' slice of progressive hard rock that also sees Ross soloing like mad on his synthesizer. Ultimately though it's the down and dirty rockers like the organ & guitar fueled "Take Love" ( a must for Deep Purple fans) and the heavy anthem "Party's Over" that hold the most appeal here. Not only are these meaty hard rock pieces, but they also have memorable hooks and catchy melodies to go along with the impressive arrangements. The emotional "Cry Again" has some stinging, bluesy guitar from Clegg and atmospheric keyboard washes from Ross, as well as some poignant vocals from Gioeli. It's another example of how good these guys are at pumping out some great melodic hard rock.
That basically sums up all of She's On Fire-it's simply quality melodic hard rock with great vocals, guitar, keyboards, and rock solid rhythms. Sure, it's retro, but who cares. Anytime a band can capture a moment in time like Accomplice have done here, you have to hand it to them. Oh yeah, and the CD was produced by Derek Sherinian & Simon Phillips-need I say more?
Track Listing
1) Take Love
2) Party's Over
3) Cry Again
4) Everywhere
5) She's On Fire
6) Shadows of My Mind
7) Again & Again
8) City Walls
9) Autobahn
10) Last Hurrah
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