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Track Listing
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· It Speaks
· My Machine (3)
· Welcome To My Mind
· Barbie Doll (1)
· Live In Sin
· Happy Guy
· Boss of Me
· Give It All Away
· The Bitter End (2)
· In The Groove (Live)
(*) Best Tracks
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Discography & (Rank)
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· Ready (1)
· Machine (2)
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Buy it if you liked:
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Alfonzetti - Ready
Eric Martin - I'm Going Sane
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Line Up
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· Matti Alfonzetti: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Drum Programming
· Stefan Bergstrom: Guitar
· Mikael Hoglund: Bass
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ALFONZETTI
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Machine
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MTM Music 0681-55
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· Produced By: Matti, Stefan & Andreas Bauman
· Running Time: 44.43 · Genre: Nu-Breed
· Release Date: Out Now · Released: EU
· LabelLink: MTM
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Swede Matti Alfonzetti recorded his debut album under the Alfonzetti moniker 18 months back. The album was a beautifully crafted selection of melodic rockers, a definite highlight of 2000.
Now he's back with album number two and this is a case of 'what the hell happened here?'
Alfonzetti has dropped the sweet melodic rock and power AOR for a hard edged, effects filled modern rock outing that came as a huge surprise.
It was reported that this album was to be heavier and more guitar driven, but the degree of heaviness and the modern edge featured here is a big shock.
Throughout the record Matti uses vocal effects, drum loops, production tricks and an in your face production to up the tempo and make the sound every bit as contemporary as possible.
All this info might have already scared some readers off, but you know what. In spite of al these changes, Matti still knows how to write a bloody good song and this album contains 9 new ones.
Within each song there are audible melodies and plenty of catchy vocal lines and hooks. Just not ones similar to the debut!
The opening track has a punishing hard guitar riff, with some moments that almost touch on an industrial theme.
My Machine rocks along with a monster swagger and huge rock attitude, but bursts into an anthemic melodic rock chorus that would have been right at home on the debut.
The mid-tempo'd rock ballad Welcome To My World features vocal effects, a psychedelic verse and then another big melodic rock chorus.
Barbie Doll kicks off with a very heavy modern rock guitar lead, rocking through a nu-breed punk rock style song that opens up to another sing-along chorus. Even Matti's vocal hooks through the verse are in total contrast to the ear bleeding guitar riffs. Together it works fantastically and I rate the song one of the album's best and a chance for Top 10 of the year.
Live In Sin opens acoustically, providing a break in the sonic onslaught. It builds up to rock a little more, but is largely acoustic driven, until chorus time, which is another big modern rockfest.
A Happy Guy is a tuned down an rocked up in your face track that features another strong vocal lead.
Boss of Me uses drum rhythms and has a very heavy alternative rock vibe. Again it works well thanks to some strong lead vocals.
Give It Away is more commercial, but could use a better hook.
The Bitter End is awesome – it closes out the new tunes in style – a softer, more classic melodic rock number, with a big vocal hook and a mellower ballad feel. Modern production touches remain, but this is another example how the old and the new can indeed blend together and work well.
In The Groove is a live track, taken from the debut, thrown on to stretch the running time out. The rocked up live version fits the groove of this album well, but it isn't an essential listen.
Something I can really appreciate is when an artist is able to move forward while retaining some of their classic melodic sound. It won't be for everyone, but those that aren't afraid of something new and a more modern sound should check this out.
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The Bottom Line
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Some flashes of pure melodic genius - just like the debut, but maybe not enough of them and in a style that will make it hard for traditional melodic rock fans to get into.
If you like a tougher delivery and have an ear for modern rock and nu-breed - there's a few gems here.
Regardless of style, this is well produced, brilliantly sung and cleverly written.
But it's not long enough - only 9 new tracks is two or three tracks short of ideal.
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