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[ More Music Reviews ]

The Ragged Saints: The Sound of ...

(Melodic) Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

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Nightmare (USA) / Power Prog (EU) Records
by Craig Hartranft
10.19.2013

Guitarists Tomi Julkunen and Toni Bite probably said something like, "Hey! We could do that too," after seeing a Whitesnake show. So the duo decided to start a band and began writing songs of traditional hard rock. In due course, more friends were added to the band and The Ragged Saints were formed, now releasing their debut album The Sound of Breaking Free.

The Ragged Saints: looking spiffy.

In promotional material the founders admit, honestly, that they had no intention of reinventing the wheel, just create and play traditional melodic hard rock ala the Eighties. That's basically what you get in these 11 songs, but with mixed results.

The Saints definitely understand the genre: strong riffs, beefy rhythm section, and zippy leads wrapped in melodic hooks and strong vocal harmonies. But everything seems to run together, with only a few songs really catching my attention and rising to the top. Those songs are the title cut with a great hook in the refrain and some sharp guitar work; Love Won't Fade Away and We Are The Same with more an AOR arena anthem feel, especially the latter song and it's vocal arrangement; and possibly A Place Where I Belong because it catches some of nuance Whitesnake bluesy feel. Again, The Ragged Saints are good musicians with good ideas and lots of enthusiasm; they accomplished their goal of creating Eighties hard rock. While The Sound of Breaking Free will likely not turn up in my iPod anytime soon, if you like this style you should check them out. Nice album art.

The Ragged Saints The Sound of Breaking Free - Album Teaser

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The Ragged Saints are good musicians with good ideas and lots of enthusiasm; they accomplished their goal of creating Eighties hard rock.

Alphabetical Index

After a brief three year absence from the studio, Swedish rockers Perfect Plan return with their fourth long player, Heart Of A Plan. This arrives after their vocalist, Kent Hilli, has been involved in a few other projects ... [ Read More ]