| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Kurdt Vanderhoof |
| Record Label: Rat Pak | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: Todd Michael Hall |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 51:09 |
Are you keen on Todd Michael Hall’s well-regarded classic tenor vocal abilities but want them in a format outside the power and traditional metal in which he is best known? Then his May of 2021 Rat Pak Records sophomore solo album Sonic Healing should be up your alley. It contrasts with a straight up hard rock direction derivative of classic rock, blues and Southern rock that while not quite heavy as some of the acts in which he has participated - noting his prior work in Burning Star, Reverence and Riot V - brings no less value in terms of musical acumen. A good measure of this attributes to manner in which Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof wrote the Sonic Healing material in addition to handling production duties.
Hall composed lyrics as the world shut down last year during the pandemic, with express purpose of Sonic Healing to be exactly that (in his words) ‘as a good positive rock album’. He provides added detail when suggesting, ‘Music has a healing effect to get you up and running. People use it to console themselves on a daily basis’. He further offers his thoughts in regards to the Sonic Healing musical direction: ‘We definitely paid homage to our favorite bands, but we added a new twist. There’s a hunger for this music, and there aren’t many artists trying to scratch the itch. We’re here to scratch the itch and bring the energy.’ Other reviewers that accordingly offer as points of reference Boston, Rush, Styx, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon have the right idea!
Similar to the 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed most recent Riot V album Armor Of Light from 2018, Hall makes his faith known lyrically. Bonus track “Not With A Sword” stands out best in this regard with its unmistakable message:
He had a life of His own
That He gave for us willingly
And out from His mouth
Immense knowledge was poured
No one seemed to understand
Not even His closest friends
Yet still he pushed forth with the plan
Despite knowing how it would end
Armed only with lasting love and His word
Not with a sword
Musically, it is this reviewers choice cut as one of albums heaviest, landing within hard rock territory, as assuming guitars and bluesy footprints combine for an early nineties Bride vibe. Second bonus track “The Other Side” might present with hard rock on the lighter side but is also good with a mid-paced allure and interwoven guitar harmonies to carry the instrumental moments.
“Love Rain Down”, of the gritty Whitesnake-ish blues heavy rock founding with its rebounding guitars and Hall’s soulful vocal performance, also hints of artist’s faith even if on the subtle side:
Let your love rain down
Let it wash over me
Until my luck runs out
And there ain’t no reprieve
I have no more need for misery
Lock me up now and throw away the key
As does “Like No Other”, an edgier and more keyed up number with a groove flavored refrain and decidedly brash complexion:
One look
Never the same
My heart went up in flames
My soul has been taken over
You love me like no other
Your’e a tidal wave washing all over me
Won’t you come flood me with your love tonight
Albums title track embodies the positive rock nuances at hand:
I’m not afraid to admit I have a softer side
I have even been know to cry
But that does not mean when the going gets tough
That I will just lay down and die
I always try to overcome the challenges that drag me down
And whittle away at my life
I otherwise appreciate “Sonic Healing” as semi-ballad based to see heavy bass and gently done guitars push the easy going verse sections and hammering guitars the more boldly driven refrain. Also on the ballad side is Rush influenced “Running After You” to see keyboards adorn the backend and agile guitars the forefront as a gushing melody holds sway. Am I out of line to suggest a light aligning of artist vocally with Geddy Lee?
Albums remaining tracks also fall within the positive rock category, including “Overdrive”, an up-tempo assailer enticing with its immediate hooks, hard rock to metal edged allure and athletic mid-point bridge to give way to Vanderhoof’s breakneck leads. Likewise, “All On The Line” as warm and inviting mid-tempo classic rock mixed with heavier rocking indications. Lyrics deal with making the best of our opportunities:
There’s a great big world out there
And there’s so much we can do
And I’m gonna do my best
To make our dreams come true
You will need to give me time
Cause it just might take awhile
But when it comes I will
Exceed your hopes by a mile
In similar vein but heavier is “Somebody’s Fool”, darker and no-nonsense in capacity with an aspiring melody to go alongside a decided guitar crunch, and “To The Bone”, written from standpoint of a guy lamenting a relationship with a sharp tongued woman in echoing of the correspondingly slow and bluesy with an every bit galvanizing incisive disposition. Both songs succeed in drawing attention to albums crisp and clean production allowing all instrumentation to shine.
A couple fun songs round the album out. Written in tribute to rock starts of the past, “Long Lost Rock & Rollers” delivers some of those Southern rock flavorings and aligns with a boogie rock ardor that proves a non-stop hook fest. “Let Loose Tonight”, as its title implies letting ones hair down for the weekend, impresses as a brazen rocker with a showy aptitude found in an unbending melody and party rock vestiges.
Sonic Healing equates to a consistent hard rock album with leanings towards the classic, blues and Southern side of things. No, not a Christian album but positive nonetheless, with lyrical themes peppered with tinges of the artists faith. Hall has never sounded better with his silky, smooth vocal abilities - I rate him alongside Rob Rock and Lance King in this capacity - in aligning himself with a capable performer in Vahderhoof. Therein, also lies the problem in that packaging offers no detail in terms of who also performed on Sonic Healing, whether drums, bass or keyboards all are capably (albeit anonymously) done. Still, if a fan of classic hard rock or artists vocal abilities there is no reason not to make Sonic Healing a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Overdrive” (4:28), “Let Loose Tonight” (3:22), “All On The Line” (4:29), “Running After You” (4:40), “Love Rain Down” (4:19), “Sonic Healing” (3:44), “Like No Other” (4:23), “Somebody’s Fool” (4:02)”, “To The Bone” (4:54), “Long Lost Rock & Rollers” (4:47), “The Other Side” (3:43), “Not With A Sword” (4:22)
Musicians
Todd Michael Hall - Lead Vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof - Guitars
