Review : Fergie Frederiksen Happiness Is The Road : New Music Review : Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock : CD Album Music Review : Dangerdog Music Reviews

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Fergie Frederiksen Happiness Is The Road album new music review

Frederiksen, Fergie: Happiness Is The ...

Melodic Rock/AOR

4.0/5.0

Frontiers Records
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by Craig Hartranft, 10.03.2011

In October, Italian label Frontiers Records is releasing a trio of album all from vocalists, all within the melodic rock and AOR tradition. These include titles from Fergie Frederiksen, Issa, and the duo Bobby Kimball and Jimi Jamison.

Fergie Frederiksen might be remembered for his work with Toto (Isolation), but his credits also include work with LeRoux, Frederiksen/Philips, Mecca, and Frederiksen/Denander to name a few. He has that classic style that fits AOR melodic rock: clear, smooth, and passionate. With the genius Dennis Ward at the helm, Frederiksen has delivered a fine platter of melodic rock on his second solo effort Happiness Is The Road.

The back story to the album is Fergie battle with and ongoing defeat of liver cancer. The album reflects both the enthusiasm and tenacity of his spirit during this journey. The songs themselves are essential Eighties melodic rock with a big lush sound informed by layers of synths, a steady rock groove, swift fret work and, of course, Frederiksen's powerful vocals.

That grand arena rock sound can be found within Angel, The One, and The Savior. It's made radio-friendly with the quite catchy arrangement of First to Cry (also recorded by House of Lords on their most recent album). Also, lilting its way through the album is a light breeze of the Westcoast sound. Notably, you will hear it on Elaine, Happiness is the Road, and I Still Believe In Love.

Of course, ballads abound here, and why not? Frederiksen shines on the more quiet Love Waits For No One, and the soaring The Future Ain't What It Used to Be and Follow You Heart (best track). Other songs, however, like I Still Believe in Love and Lyin' Eyes, seem too derivative of the genre. Nevertheless, considering the strength of the entire album, this criticism is trivial.

If you like your melodic rock on the AOR side with a touch of Westcoast, Fergie Frederiksen's Happiness Is The Road needs to be in your catalog. Recommended.

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