Kiske, Michael: Past in Different Ways

Give Michael Kiske some credit for doing things his way. Since departing Helloween, the vocalist has made modern-rock albums (with his band SupaRed), slick AOR records (with Place Vendome) and vulnerable singer/songwriter music (his 2006 solo album simply titled Kiske). Past in Different Ways is another major departure: Stripped-down re-recordings of Helloween songs from Kiske's tenure in the band, including cuts from the two Keeper of the Seven Keys discs, as well as Chameleon and Pink Bubbles Go Ape.

It's a good idea on paper. After all, many artists record acoustic versions of their material. But here's the problem: Helloween's music doesn't lend itself to this kind of treatment, and Kiske's forced vocals – as if he's not sure whether to sing like a head-banger or a toe-tapper – make many of these 11 tunes seem a little awkward. A strings section and the strategic use of trumpet, trombone and accordion add intrigue, and Kiske (who also plays guitar) is backed by three solid musicians, but Past in Different Ways doesn't rank among Kiske's finest material. The main exception is closing track "Different Ways," a beautiful ballad penned especially for this collection that would have been right at home on Kiske.

Track Listing:
1) You Always Walk Alone
2) We Got the Right
3) I Believe
4) Longing
5) Your Turn
6) Kids of the Century
7) In the Night
8) Going Home
9) A Little Time
10) When the Sinner
11) Different Ways

Added: September 26th 2008
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Blistering Records
Hits: 3413
Language: english

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