Just had a listen to the new Michael Schenker fest album. I haven't bought it, didn't even know it was out, but I read a couple of negative reviews on Amazon about it. Expecting the worst, I gave it a spin on Spotify.
The two lead tracks released so far have been absolutely putrid. Shoehorning 4 singers in one song is so clunky and, well, cringey.
No surprise, but the two best tracks are the ones with Doogie White. This combination has worked well. Doogie's tracks were the strongest on the first SchenkerFest album Resurrection.
The Bonnet tracks were ok, and the McAuley tracks were pretty weak. And as much as I love the old albums with Gary Barden, please just retire.
Oddly, classic Schenker vocalist Ronnie Romero somehow gets a song. Why??
Schenker's problem is the same one he's had for so long. He's just not a great songwriter. He's a great guitarist, and his tone and solos sound so great. In fact, the best track is the instrumental Ascension. He needs to be way more selfish in his songwriting.
The two Temple Of Rock albums with Doogie are really good, and renewed my faith, but these cheesy Schenker Fest things are bumming me out.