FAIR WARNING — Fair Warning (review)

FAIR WARNING — Fair Warning album cover Album · 1992 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Stephen
Fair Warning is one of the most successful and consistent German melodic rock act that's quite big in Europe and huge in Japan, but unfortunately, a relative stranger in USA, that's because when they came out, grunge has been all over that place. Formed after bassist Ule Ritgen and singer Tommy Heart left Zeno, this debut captured Heart’s strong character and mighty voice, built on a foundation of solid melodic hard rock which was based on the combination of their senior fellow German bands, Bonfire and Scorpions, and also influenced by American heroes, Bon Jovi and Journey. The whole thing compounded flawlessly to a unique Fair Warning sound. Andy Malecek and Helge Engelke also put out an extraordinary guitarmanship here and you can hear their cheering and shrilling plays throughout the tracks.

The band runs back and forth on a balance platform of rockers and ballads, standing proudly on the borders of hard rock and AOR. Out of twelve tracks, I can say that mostly are well-crafted and high-quality arrangements. "Longing For Love", is one of my fave midtempo track, I recalled first hearing this song from a radio when it topped the local magazine's rock chart. It smartly blends the chugging AC/DC riffs and climb up to a soaring melodic chorus. Zeno's old track, "The Heat of Emotion", makes its way here, and this is definitely another winner packed with a blissful harmonies. Some other good rockin' tracks such as "Hang On" and "The Eyes of The Rock" worth checking, but the best uptempo track of the album is "Out On The Run" with an energetic verse and flying chorus. On the ballads side, "The Call of The Heart", "One Step Closer", and "Long Gone" are just marvelous, classic, and hauntingly beautiful.

Fair Warning's eponymous debut is a superb effort and though they kept releasing great records, it seems they just can't surpass this one. The sound production is excellent, the musicianship is above average, the songs are timeless, and nothing really can't stop me from giving this a full five stars. A perfect and essential buy for big fans of melodic hard rock and AOR freaks!
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