Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock	Produced By: Terry Shelton & Watchmen
Record Label: Regency	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1989	Artist Website:
Tracks: 9	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 35:11

Watchmen embody melodic hard rock, AOR and pop rock, which combine to make the groups 1989 Regency Records debut full length Generation an enjoyable listen.  The Tacoma, Washington based four piece - drawing its name from Ezekiel 33 and going under the heading Watchmen and NOT The Watchmen - got its start in 1987 with the release of its 8 song custom cassette Fear No Evil, whose Dio inspired heavy metal title track made its way onto the 1988 Underground Metal compilation (also Regency).  Go beneath the surface, however, and Fear No Evil otherwise abuts melodic metal and hard rock while occasionally revisiting heavier territory.  Generation embodies the next logical step for Watchmen in this regard in that gone is the Dio-ish metal and replaced by increasingly more commercial AOR tinctured musical signatures.

Which should not surprise in light of the fact Generation producer Terry Shelton also produced melodic hard rock and AOR tinged Frontline Records third Bloodgood album Rock In A Hard Place from 1988.  Whereas not inviting direct comparison, if into not just Rock In A Hard Place but even more commercial 1991 Broken Records fifth Bloodgood album All Stand Together, I see Generation appealing to your tastes.  Likewise, if a fan of albums from contemporaries trending similar musical territory such as Shout (It Won’t Be Long), Guardian (Fire & Love), Fear Not (self-titled) and Novella (One Big Sky), Generation has potential to be of interest. 

Album gets off to a strong start with one of its heavier tracks, “Turn”.  Impression from the polished rhythm guitar and keyboard blending is hard rock as opposed to metal, with the lacquered vocal harmonies articulating an AOR semblance solidified in the emphatic at once melody.  Helping song further standout is front man Greg Sweet, whom proves no small talent with a deep classic tenor voice hinting of Dio laced with Les Carlsen (Bloodgood) style grit.  Lyric snippet:

Turn from the night, and all the fears that bind you
Will drop like chains behind you, in the light
Turn to the light, leave the world behind you
And all the pain that hides you, in the night

The deal was made
When he kneeled down and prayed
Our God came down and filled his empty soul

“Stand Strong” is another convincing hard rocker.  With drum solo to start, song manifests a darker keyboard sound alongside Doug Larson’s profound bass line and hone edged rhythm guitar.  The astutely dignified but instantaneously catchy refrain ranks with albums best.  What we have is as fine a one two punch to open an album you will find.

“Straight” is of similar caliber.  It further plays up the AOR undercurrents - guitars do not hit quite as hard while keyboards play an added role - but fails to back from melodic basis, distinct hooks shine with repeat play.  It deserves note the finely done bluesy guitar leads of Dave Van Liew.  If I were to offer comparison “Straight” as melodic rock on the lighter-side not unlike Battlecry and Sweet Crystal.  Lyric snippet:

Still searching for the answers
To you it seems, no one’s there at all
But, He hears you calling, He hears your cry
The Father longs to wipe the tear from your eye

You call His name
And you know He will be there
He will not change
Your heartache, He will bare

Three songs in and it is evident Generation lacks much of the production polish attributed to as noted contemporaries in the second paragraph.  That said I see any production misgivings rectified if the album saw reissue with a much deserved re-mastering to bring it up to modern standard.

Many might have raised an eyebrow regarding my previous ‘pop rock’ reference, but do not be dissuaded in that albums most commercial track “Best Friend” in my opinion is a worthy inclusion.  It founds in reserved keyboards, piano and saxophone, with the articulate tendencies built upon from Sweet’s soulful delivery and Gospel style backing vocals.  No, not among my favorites, and I would have preferred if a heavier cut had been included instead, but in time I embraced “Best Friend”.  Credit the group for having the wherewithal to pull off something along these lines.

Back to heavier territory with “Breakin’ The Chains”.  What we have is albums shortest at three and half minutes and most fleet, rattling with its galvanic guitar but intermittently lightening for moments in which lucid keyboards play an overseeing role.  The enflamed lead guitar balances with the songs upraised sentiments.  Lyric snippet:

The quiet voice, I heard inside
All my habits, I denied
Breakin’ the chains, Breakin’ the chains

I was held so tight
I could not believe the only real hope staring back at me
Ready with His power
To set me free

“United” is also in a heavier mode.  Opening to Larson’s tectonic bass, song sets an anthem like tone in catalyzing at a gallant mid-tempo clip with a groove driven framework and by far albums most valorous draw you in at once refrain.  The mid-point passage to decelerate to a standstill as Sweet exclaims ‘with His power we will storm the gates of hell’ over fiery feedback allows “United” to rate with albums finest.

Another outside the box track ensues in “I Will Be There”.  Similar to “Best Friend”, it makes use of saxophone but in an added blues based heading, referencing the easy going but grained demeanor laced with acoustic guitar and periodic granular rhythm guitar.  Lead guitar and saxophone trade off instrumentally.  Interestingly, liner notes provide no credit for the saxophone contributions.  Lyric snippet:

I won’t leave your side, in my love you can hide
All your pain, all life’s stains, I will cover
Come, take my hand, and together we will stand
One heart forever, it’s got to be forever

I will be there, I will be there for you always
Whatever your need, call on me and I’ll be there
I’ve always  been the one so strong
It’s You that I’m needing
The reason I keep holding on

“Defenders” also joins albums heaviest.  It represents a return to an up-tempo form, beguiling with opening verse sections accented by choice rhythm and acoustic guitar as backend keyboards dance.  Force ups exponentially for the telling ‘were defenders of the faith’ refrain reinforcing the victorious.  Timekeeper Kevin Whisler, who would later join Bloodgood, imparts the blaring low-end foundation.

Album closes in fine fashion to ballad “One Day” to see piano and keyboards intermix with occasional rhythm guitar and moving guitar leads.  Sweet lends some fitting bluesy grit and gravel to his delivery.  Lyric snippet:

The blood flowed down His cheek
His body torn, bruised and week
He cried out, forgive them

One day, we will see Him face to face
We will be like them
One day we will feel His tender grace
As the Fathers hand is reaching out to you

Generation presents with some fantastic material - “Turn”, “Stand Strong”, “United”, “Defenders” and “One Day” - but also the occasional outside the box moment, noting “Best Friend” and “I Will Be There”.  Hence, manner in which Watchmen shine when heaviest but also prove accomplished on mellower AOR and pop tinged material.  Group’s notable talent plays no small role in this regard, noting the versatile vocals in addition to skillful lead guitar and ever-present low end.  Yes, some production thinness, which would rectify with a long overdue re-mastering and re-issue (add Fear No Evil to the list of albums that also deserve reissue).  If a fan of eighties influenced melodic hard rock in its varying forms, you can do no wrong with Generation.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Turn” (3:42, “Stand Strong” (3:53), “Straight” (3:31), “Best Friend” (4:33), “Breakin’ The Chains” (3:19), “United” (3:46), “I Will Be There” (4:27), “Defenders” (3:51), “One Day” (4:07)

Musicians
Greg Sweet - Lead Vocals
Dave Van Liew - Guitars
Kevin Anholt - Keyboards
Doug Larson - Bass
Kevin Whisler - Drums & Percussion

Guest Musicians
Brook Lizotte - Keyboards