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"Without any dead time, "Thirteen" imposes itself as one of the summits of FM's discography."
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4/5
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When it comes to the number 13, there are those who fear it and there are those who see it as a sign of luck. Obviously, the Englishmen of FM seem to belong to the second category by simply entitling their album "Thirteen". The quintet even plays on the fears triggered by this number by offering a disturbing cover showing a visibly haunted house.
But the fans of Steve Overland's band shouldn't worry, the Londoners haven't turned black metal or gothic. The leaders of the British hard melodic / AOR even offer one of their best discographic deliveries after a somewhat disappointing "Synchronized". Far from the automatic recitation of a well mastered formula but lacking a bit of spice, "Thirteen" sounds like a rejuvenation cure for the quintet that offers here a refreshing energy and optimism. And if you are part of those who think that the musical style practiced by the well-named FM deserves more the title of melodic than the one of hard rock, you might be surprised listening to the eleven tracks of this opus.
'Shaking The Tree' tramples all forms of resistance with its powerful and haunting riff and its catchy and hypnotic chorus. During more than fifty minutes, Overland & Co. multiply the changes of direction without ever losing coherence nor interest. They don't hesitate to regularly cross the Atlantic to remind the influences they imported from the country of Uncle Sam, even teasing a certain Bruce Springsteen with a 'Turn This Car Around' whose epileptic piano and energetic melody the Boss would not have denied. The shadow of the Eagles also hovers over the vocal and guitar harmonies of the superb power-ballad 'Long Road Home', while the riff of 'Be True To Yourself' does not hesitate to make a strong wink to Toto.
Yet, all this is pure FM, mixing the melodic flavors of AOR, the energy of rock, the power of hard, the emotions of blues and even some borrowings from country. Without any dead time, "Thirteen" imposes itself as one of the summits of the discography of the British masters of a musical genre whose name they proudly and worthily bear. Reinforced by the multiplication of positive messages and the excellence of the interpretation, this opus can without hesitation compete for the title of album of the year in its category, even if the competition is already fierce. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
 01. Shaking The Tree - 5:22
02. Waiting On Love - 4:51
03. Talk Is Cheap - 3:45
04. Turn This Car Around - 4:43
05. Love And War - 5:13
06. Long Road Home - 5:56
07. Be Lucky - 5:22
08. Every Man Needs A Woman - 4:01
09. Just Got Started - 4:38
10. Fight Fire With Fire - 5:26
11. Be True To Yourself - 4:31
LINEUP:
Jem Davis: Claviers
Jim Kirkpatrick : Guitares
Merv Goldsworthy: Basse
Pete Jupp: Batterie
Steve Overland: Chant / Guitares
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READERS
3/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (2 view(s))
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