Review Summary: A nostalgic blend of classic hard driving rock and passionate fervor.
3 of 3 thought this review was well writtenFrom the second you start this CD, hard rock is reinvented to a polished state of nostalgia. The album kicks off an intense intellectual mood with its rhythms and it's apparent that Jun Senoue and Johnny Gieoli are quite talented.
One of the first things noticeable is the strange theme of racing among the bulk of the songs, with every other song featuring lyrics on racing topics, although this isn't a bad thing. They show us a wide variety of melodies that soar without having the listener dragged down by boredom. The dynamic melodies by Johnny and Jun really set an atmosphere in tune with the cover, hard driving and open hearted, with the music in an incredibly fitting harmony. Johnny Gieoli isn't an overpowered bellowing Chad Kroger and singer Jun Senoue seems incapable of writing a bad solo. Although he isn't listed on the front of the album with the front runners of the band, the drummer Hirotsuqu Homma shows some unique talent as well. He productively distinguishes how to merge his tempos and fills with the rest of the band and the result is very positive. It's a good indication that this album is much underrated and often ignored. Crush 40 successfully blends their music with an ideal amount melodic passion and power, opening their soul into their music and pure memorable rock without sounding like a 42 car pile accident.
The tracks "Live and Learn," "Open Your Heart"and "It Doesn't Matter" really stand out on this album. The rocks are almost metal-like, with "Live and Learn" showcasing a lashing combination of concentrated and intense zeal. "Open Your Heart" is a fully concerning song with emotion, a true, pure hard rock epic of good versus evil. Jun Senoue truly shows us some unique soloing, it's just a shame they couldn't be longer. Not only do they showcase the true ability of this band, they all show a unique and strong knit connection within themselves to create a real live mood in the songs.
What amazes me is Johnny Gieoli’s talent to soar and resonate over the tracks with such a passionate fervor that ignites the heart of the listener. It's fast, it's exciting and it is enjoyable. Crank your stereo up, because Jun Senoue and Johnny Gieoli are one remarkable team. Compared to other rock albums,
Crush 40 isn't just another car ride.
