JEFF SCOTT SOTO - Prism

Frontiers Records

Posted: 4/18/03

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Melodic Rock

Released: 2002

Label URL: www.frontiers.it

Artist URL: www.jeffscottsoto.com

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Jeff Scott Soto is best known as the former vocalist for Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force, but fans probably are aware of his work with Eyes, Takara, Talisman, and a host of other groups. Stylistically, the albums that he did with Malmsteen, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force (1984) and Marching Out (1985) are the polar opposites of Prism. Those early albums were of the neo-classical metal style, while this new solo album is a mixture of soft melodic rock and up-tempo rock. Honestly, the music found on Prism is more suitable for Soto's pop, R&B, and soul vibe, and from what I've heard, he never considered himself a heavy metal singer anyway. Laced with smoochy ballads like "Heaven Knows," "Holding On," "Till The End Of Time," "By Your Side," and "Don't Walk Away," Prism will primarily appeal to fans of commercial 80s ballad rock. However, the ballads have quite a bit of energy, a guitar/keyboard edge, big choruses, and are not boring. There are also a few rockers, such as the powerful opener "Eyes Of Love," and a cover of "I Want To Take You Higher," a duet with Glenn Hughes (ex-Deep Purple, ex-Black Sabbath). A few more songs along these lines would have balanced the album out, but overall, this is a solid melodic rock release displaying Jeff Scott Soto's strong set of pipes and his love for 80s pop.

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