Review Summary: A collaboration which may have been resulted to something big
When someone hears the lineup of this group, immediately understands that he has fallen onto a supergroup: Paul ''The Voice'' Rodgers on vocals (ex-Bad Company, Free), Jimmy Page (ex-Led Zeppelin) on guitars, Chris Slade on drums (ex-Uriah Heep) and bass player Tony Franklin. These four consisted for a short period of time the band 'The Firm'. As it seems from the album sales and popularity, fans did not response positively on this co-operation and left them on the sideline. I believe it was a bit unfair though because it is a remarkable effort and such projects can identify the strengths and the limitations that an artist has, since moving from his previous successful band. It is the point where the artist will be put under the microscope and he will be judged thoroughly.
The album opens with the adorable ''Closer'' and shows the music directions of the band. Besides the four main instruments, this is the only song which includes a trumpet and a saxophone on decent levels that will not bore the listener. A notable characteristic of this song is the emphasis that is given mainly on the bass, since it is the instrument which draws the lines and not Page's guitar. The only worth mentioning fact on ''Make or Break'' are Page's good old solo-style playing which give a different color to the song. ''Radioactive'' and ''Money Can't Buy'' are the two songs on the album that have the trademark 'Paul Rodgers'. A brief listening is enough for someone to comprehend the music style and influences of Paul, since the remind Bad Company years. I believe that ''You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'' cover is the weakest point on the album since it was needless and completely out of the album's overall picture. I sense that ''Someone to Love'' is the track that combines every good aspect of what the individual members can contribute to the band: powerful and groovy bass lines, fancy solos which have the signature of Page, a solid and skillful Chris Slade and a passionate Paul Rodgers. Another song that stands strong on the album is ''Satisfaction Guaranteed''. A medium-tempo song where Page's blues-style solos are tied up with Rodgers melodic voice.
The album closes with ''Midnight Moonlight'', a song which comes straight from Led Zeppelin since it was an unfinished work from Physical Graffiti's recording. Personally I admire and respect Rodgers as a composer and he is high on my list of favorable vocalists, but the specific song needs his Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin. In addition, I found the backing vocals to the end of the song useless enough to wear it out. All in all, a decent effort that has to be heard because of such a line-up.
