Michael Schenker Group – In the Midst of Beauty (2008)
Michael Schenker returns with a brand new CD, and quite possibly the best MSG lineup since the ’80s.
Gary Barden, who is often considered the best MSG vocalist, returns to the microphone on In the Midst of Beauty.
This disc also features the talent of Neil Murray (Whitesnake), Don Airey (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) and Simon Phillips (MSG, Satriani, Toto).
As always, MSG features the stellar guitar work of Michael Schenker. If you are familiar with any of MSG’s prior albums, you know you are going you are going to hear plenty of guitar riffs with that great Schenker trademark sound.
What is cool about this album, is that it seems to be more of a complete band output, than just Schenker playing over the top. Don Airey’s Purple-esque keyboards are often present adding a whole new layer to MSG’s music. This disc has a 70′s classic rock vibe about it, but the production and sound is top notch.
The last couple of MSG albums have been somewhat disappointing, and this is definitely a return to form for Schenker and company. This is easily the best album by MSG since the Robin McAuley era.
This CD will be released in May, and you will definitely want to add this to your list of discs to purchase soon! In the Midst of Beauty will likely find itself in many top album lists at the end of 2008!.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- City Lights
- Competition
- I Want You
- End of the Line
- Summerdays
- Night To Remember
- Wings of Emotion
- Come Closer
- Cross of Crosses
- Nana
- The One
- This Time
Michael Schenker Group is:
Michael Schenker – Guitars
Gary Barden – Vocals
Don Airey – Keyboards
Neil Murray – Bass
Simon Phillips – Drums
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When I listen to a new Schenker release, my first reaction isn’t normally, ‘That sounds like Deep Purple,’ or anyone else! My speculation here is that Don Airey & the others did a big chunk of the song writing, As a result, this sounds more like a genuine group effort than anything Schenker has put out, possibly, since his last stint with UFO. I don’t mind the lesser emphasis on Schenker, but I do mind the poor recording of the guitars. This CD didn’t grab me at first, but like Max (above) said, the more you hear it, the more you like it.
This album gets better each time you listen to it.
Cool photos used on the album and tour shirt can be found here…
http://www.debbieturska.com
I THINK THE NEW CD ROCKS !!! LOTS OF UPTEMPO RYTHMS, EXCELLENT SOLOS, AND GREAT BASS & KEYBOARDS – KIND OF REMINDS ME OF “NO HEAVY PETTING”. PLUS, GARY BARDEN SOUNDS GREAT !
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MICHAEL LIVE !!!
This album rocks.
Unpretentious and efficient.
I’m just amazed to hear that long gone vibe of the first 3 albums…
I am a huge Schenker fan, dating back to when I first discovered UFO back when NO HEAVY PETTING came out. I was looking forward to hearing this album more than anything I’ve bought in years; finally Michael is playing with world class musicians again, with the best singer he’s been with (other than Phil Mogg of course)!! Huge psyche and anticipation on my part. Just got it and am listening to it now. I so wanted this album to be killer. Definitely it is the best album of original material that he’s done in years, but I’m disappointed. Quite simply, the songs just aren’t very good, and the production and guitar sound are weak. I think it is 10,000 times better than the unlistenable dreck of TALES OF R&R though. Flame away fellow MSG fans, but I am just being honest and sharing my OPINION. Michael remains one of the greatest guitarists ever, but I guess the songwriting well has run dry. I didn’t even like the last 2 albums he did with UFO btw. Still, I wish him success with this record and I am looking forward to seeing him play live if he ever tours here in the USA again. P.S. The song “Nana” in the tracklist above should read “Na Na” (like “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” as opposed to my granny’s name of “Nana”). Also the last track on my CD is entitled “Ride On My Way”, not “This Time” (is that a difference in what got released here in the US, or a change from the promo copy, or what???). Despite my negative review (I give this at most 3 out of 10 stars) I hope Michael and Gary stay together and make another album (if not more) – perhaps they just need to get their musical motors revved up with this misfire before striking MSG gold again.
Sorry, names mixed up!! David not Kelly.
Come on guys, lets be honest Arachnaphobiac and Be aware of Scorpions were pretty poor albums by comparison to the older material. I’ve seen MSG on virtually every tour they’ve done since MSG volume one and right now Michael is on fire. The samples on the web sound excellent and live will be even better.
Tales was a strange (but good) album but reading between the lines I’ll bet that wasn’t all plain sailing. No Kelly, van Landing, why not? Think about it.
Miles
demais
Looking forward to it, when Michael Schenker is on fire, and from what we have heard on the net it does sound excellent too. A big
welcome back!!!
“This is easily the best album by MSG since the Robin McAuley era”
I disagree with above sentence, all CD’s after the Robin Era are better….
Much better hardrock, more adventure…no commercial tunes.
However, his best release ever is “Assault Attack” !