Covered Call – Money Never Sleeps (2009)
“Money Never Sleeps” is the debut of the five man Swedish band Covered Call. Formed in 2006 by drummer Ronny Svanströmer and guitarist Joel Carlsson, who recruited bassist Thomas Thulin and second guitarist Morgan Rosenquist before finding Ex Candlemass and Therion vocalist Thomas Wikström to complete the lineup. At first listen “Money Never Sleeps” does not have any stand out tracks, but after a couple of listens you will find an album that is solid from beginning to end where the melody and hooks grab you and each song builds momentum for the next song.
“All Because of Me” is the first track on “Money Never Sleeps”. It’s a mid tempo rocker that is usually found as the third or fourth track on most albums, but is a good song nonetheless with a nice solo and some sing along verses. “Til The End” is a great rocker balls out from the beginning again Carlsson has a nice solo, but Thomas Thulin’s bass sounds awesome on this track. “Shine” is a song that caught me completely off guard as it is a cover of one my favorite songs by Mr. Big from their “Actual Size” album. While Wikström is no Eric Martin, he and the band still do this song justice giving it a heavier sound but still as melodic as the original version. “Never Again” is where “Money Never Sleeps” grabbed my attention and takes off great heavy melodic song that should get the band some radio spins. It probably wont get played in the United States because U.S. radio doesn’t play songs this good. It will definitely receive airplay in Europe.
“Anything You Want” is a piano ballad with some beautiful playing throughout. “I Wanna Be Free” is a hard rocking anthem built for the live show with a great intro by Carlsson and once again some great bass lines from Thulin. “Nothin’ At All” is another great sing along foot tapping melodic rocker. Carlsson and Rosenquist’s playing really shines on this song as does Wikström’s vocals. The title track “Money Never Sleeps” is another anthem with some great background vocals and the song is just plain fun, a great song for the summer to blast on a road trip.
Looks or listens can be deceiving on “Money Never Sleeps” at first listen. But Covered Call have one of the best kinds of albums the kind that grow on you with each listen and hook you with some great songs and great playing. Definitely makes me look forward to their next album.
Covered Call can be found online at www.myspace.com/coveredcall or www.coveredcall.se
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- All Because of Me
- Til’ the End
- Shine
- Never Again
- Anything You Want
- I Wanna Be Free
- Nothing at All
- Money Never Sleeps
- What About Us
- Let’s Make It Real
Covered Call is:
Ronny Svanstromer – Drums
Thomas Vikstrom – Lead vocals
Joel Carlsson – Guitar
Thomas Thulin – Bass
Thomas Vikstrom – Lead vocals
Joel Carlsson – Guitar
Thomas Thulin – Bass
Morgan Rosenquist – Guitar
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