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Jeff Scott Soto: Complicated

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

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Fronters Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 04.05.2022 | Released: 06.05.2022

Always busy, legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto is back with another solo, Complicated. Since his last studio album, Wide Awake, the artist has worked with W.E.T., Sons Of Apollo, and Joel Hoekstra's 13. On his own, he dropped a duets collection and another studio album under his S.O.T.O. moniker. Meanwhile, Soto also found time to appear on TNT's Rat In The Kitchen and FX's Sons Of Anarchy spin off Mayans M.C.. Not really. I made up that last shit. Although, JSS could make a cool looking Harly biker gang dude.

Jeff Scott Soto

My most fond memories of Soto's vocal skills come with his work with Talisman (not Journey or Yngwie). Talisman's last studio album 7 was a particular favorite and a final conclusion to the band's career. While I've hoped for a reunion, I've been greatly satisfied with Soto's solo albums which revisit, to some extent, Talisman's twist of melodic hard rock and metal with AOR sensibility. Backed mostly by a crew from Frontiers Music, Soto essentially nails his genre context while reminding us of the power of his vocal style.

Of the songs within Complicated, you'll find some with some metal edge and heaviness, such as New Horizon, Back To The Beginning, Disbelieving, or Home Again. Be assured, however, that these songs abound with song melody, vocal harmony, and terrific groove. Yet the AOR side of matters arises more so within Don't Look Back and the title track, the radio-friendly single, Complicated. Perhaps a crossover between the two is Love Is The Revolution wherein a thick and quick rhythm section drive an arena-ready anthem. Ballads are no stranger to Soto and he delivers a passionate one with the piano-driven Until I See You Again. It's hard to find down sides to any Soto album because he has an fine ear for great songwriting; Complicated is no exception. All things considered, and simply stated: Jeff Scott Soto's Complicated is another exceptional album of AOR melodic hard rocks songs with his strong voice at the helm. Easily recommended.

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

All things considered, and simply stated: Jeff Scott Soto's Complicated is another exceptional album of AOR melodic hard rocks songs with his strong voice at the helm. Easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

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