MILAN POLAK – Scarred To Perfection (2015)

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Born in Austria but established in America long time ago, MILAN POLAK is a very respected name among shred/virtuoso guitar aficionados, having released several instrumental albums in this vein.
But unlike most of his peers concentrated in clinics and guitar ‘demonstrations’, Polak also has a ‘song-format’ side and he is presenting his 3rd vocal CD, “Scarred To Perfection“, focused on elaborated melodic / hard rock songs.

Polak is awesome on the six-strings, but also an accomplished songwriter / vocalist. Listening the songs on “Scarred To Perfection” you easily understand why he has collaborated with Billy Sheehan composing songs for Mr. Big, but also Marty Friedman, Kip Winger and more. Yes, this is melodic rock with a twist.
A creative songcraft musician, Pollack easily blends the important elements of melody and harmony with his impressive, often innovative, guitar work in his arrangements. On top of this, he sings very well, having a smooth and melodic voice that compliments the character of every song.

The compositions themselves range in style from radio-friendly modern AOR to riff-heavy rockers to something more progressive, but always melodic.

The first three tracks on the album, opener “Belong” (one of my favorites), the melodious “The Last Goodbye” and “Cleansing” are built over catchy riffs and a bouncy rhythm section typical from the melodic rock / radio AOR genre. Solid songwriting, clean vocals and accessible melodies.
“This Time” and “No Compromise” are more bruising rockers, thick with heavy riffs, but never without an underlying melody. Then songs like “Karma” and “Green Demon” seem different – still with song format – but adding variation in nuanced tones from Polak guitar.

Other songs return to something more straightforward like the ballads “You & I” (featuring Kip Winger on bass) and “Rainbow”, both having a more gentle approach and development, mostly accentuated by the vocal arrangements, but also some acoustic guitar in the latter song.

“Scarred To Perfection” is a varied collection of interesting and entertaining AOR/Rock & melodic hard rock songs, showcasing Milan Polak’s songwriting and guitar skills at the forefront.
He has also played most of the instruments minus the drums (performed by the very good Dennis Leeflang from the Lita Ford band), plus some friend’s cameos, like Kip Winger and the excellent Neil Taylor (Tears For Fears, Robbie Williams) playing guitar on the last track on the CD.
This is a very good record clinically produced & arranged, with some enjoyable catchy songs and excellent playing throughout.
Very Recommended.

01 – Belong
02 – The Last Goodbye
03 – Cleansing
04 – Scarred to Perfection
05 – You & I (feat. Kip Winger)
06 – Karma
07 – No Compromise
08 – Final Song
09 – This Time
10 – Smile
11 – Green Demon
12 – Rainbow (feat. Neil Taylor)

Milan Polak – Lead & backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, loops
Dennis Leeflang (Lita Ford band) – drums
Fabio Trentini – bass on 4,6,12, electric sitar
Kip Winger – bass on 5
Neil Taylor – guitar solo on 10

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