THE POODLES – Prisma (2018)
Swedish melodic hard rockers THE POODLES are back with “Prisma“, their new album to be released in a few days and follow-up to the critically acclaimed previous album, Devil In The Details.
The Poodles have released seven full-length studio albums and one live over the past ten years and had discussed the possibility of doing an album featuring songs from other artists for several years.
They finally decided that it was time in this 2018.
The title, “Prisma”, is meant to reflect the difference in perspective that the band brings to the songs on the album. The decision was made early to stay away from genres close to the band’s own, but other than that, any song could come into question for making the cut.
Cover albums can be a dangerous thing, and “Prisma” is a brave album as far as song choices go which may divide some fans.
‘Crazy Horses’, that untouchable Osmond’s classic is a great (and weird) way to start out – I’ve heard a few attempts at this one over the years but few that capture the rawness of the original as well as The Poodles have done here.
Then we have a hard rocking take on Michael Sembello’s ‘Maniac’ from the 80’s movie ‘Flashdance’ to deliver what you really want in a covers album – something a little different and unexpected which sounds cool as hell.
Other novelties within “Prisma” include an enthusiastic heavier version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way’ with a stronger guitar solo; the familiar beat, groove and vocal harmony of Blondie’s ‘Call Me’ (also made heavier), and a soulful version of Deep Purple’s ‘Soldiers Of Fortune’.
The Poodles, specifically vocalist Jakob Samuel can’t quite capture the soulfulness of Elton John in ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, but the song is very well performed and arranged by the band.
There are duds here as well and the first is the cover of the David Guetta song ‘Love is Gone’ and its a really simple reason – despite being beefed up by some searing guitar and a great drum track it’s honestly just not that good a song.
There’s a slight improvement with second single ‘It’s No Good’ – a cover of the Depeche Mode song. It’s dark and brooding and vaguely sinister but like the Guetta cover it suffers from not actually being that strong a song, sure its interesting lyrically but that’s about it.
Same with the languid, boring Adele song ‘Set Fire to the Rain’. I guess The Poodles tried to cover a wide spectre on the album hence the choice of this contemporary song.
It has been said million rimes; ‘A good song is a good song no matter how you treat it.’ I agree it’s equally true that a bad song is a bad song no matter how well it’s sung or how cool the treatment.
There are seven great songs on this ten track album, and call me cynical but the three that flop, all come from the current pop scene: 2007, 2011 and 2012…
I love The Poodles and a few dodgy song choices amongst some real class isn’t going to stop that. The execution and performances are top notch, and as covers records go it’s up there with the very best.
Very Recommended
01. Crazy Horses (The Osmond Brothers cover)
02. Maniac (From Flashdance cover)
03. Love Is Gone (David Guetta, Chris Willis cover)
04. It’s No Good (Depeche Mode cover)
05. Don’t You Worry Child (Swedish House Mafia cover)
06. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John cover)
07. Call Me (Blondie cover)
08. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover)
09. Set Fire to the Rain (Adele cover)
10. Soldiers of Fortune (Deep Purple cover)
Jakob Samuel – Vocals
Henrik Bergqvist – Guitars
Germain Leth – Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.de/Prisma-Poodles/dp/B077HKJY3Z
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