Michael Bormann's Jaded Hard - South West (CD)

Germany's arguably best rock singer for many years returns with a new release from his own band. MICHAEL BORMANN'S JADED HARD has long carried on the legacy of JADED HEART. While his former band now plays melodic metal, the frontman himself consistently embraces the classic melodic rock and hard rock sounds that seem tailor-made for his voice. A standout track is "Stop Those Rainy Days", a song that, like several others on the album, has a distinctly American sound. Rockers and ballads are roughly balanced. All in all, it is a strong album in every respect, and one that is at times deeply personal. (MS)