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First Child: Queen of Hearts
First Child: Queen of Hearts
Melodic Rock
Rating: 3.75/5.0
Onslow Records
www.first-child.de
www.myspace.de/firstchildbassrock
Review: Craig Hartranft, 12.23.2009
Don't judge a book by its cover, the old adage goes. First Child and principal player Cat the Cat's newest disc, Queen of Hearts sports some eye-unfriendly graphic art. Nevertheless, the music within is, generally, quite excellent. As mentioned, the principal here is Cat the Cat (more eye friendly) a terrific bass player and even better vocalist. Both the music and her vocal style are fundamentally rock and roll with strong influences from soul, blues, and a bit of rockabilly. This creates a pleasant variety of melodic rock from kickers like Just the Way I Am to ballads like Every Bullet (kind of like a variation on Every Rose Has Its Thorn). The precision of musicianship uniquely noticeable with emphasis upon Cat's bass, yet there is equally strong guitar and drum work as found on Don't Mess Around or Gypsy Woman.
Unfortunately, sometimes the music doesn't quite equal Cat's great vocals, the musicianship, or even its proposed content. By example, Rock This Town should, well, rock out, but it drags into disappointment. The same could be said for the title cut, a horribly dull number. But then Cat and company thrill and mesmerize with songs like Every Bullet, Bones, or the amazing When I Dream. Nevertheless, Queen of Hearts is a strong and enjoyable effort from First Child. Give it more than one spin and you will mine the gems here. Recommended!
In Short
Queen of Hearts is a strong and enjoyable effort from First Child. Give it more than one spin and you will mine the gems here. Recommended!
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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]