[.ca] Letter to God

Great CD:
Grit your teeth through track 3... this CD starts at track 4!

A diamond in the rough:
Who said 80's melodic rock is dead? It wasn't XYZ. "What's On Your Mind" is a throwback to the classic metal songs, loaded with sexual inuendo. Ilous even has a hint of Robert Plant and David Coverdale in his vocals. New guitarist J.K. Northrup displays pretty impressive chops during his solo. XYZ throw out some heavy riffs on "United". This song about war couldn't have been better timed. Ilous us dead on when he says 'freedom loves a battlefield'. "Burn it Up" is full of high-energy riffs, as well as some great rock licks. XYZ offers up updated versions of two of their classics, "Inside Out" and "What Keeps Me Loving You". I liked the songs, but I never heard the originals. I couldn't tell you how they differ. Of course with every rock release, you have to have some ballads. "Rainy Day" starts off slow with some calming acoustics, but kicks in the power, cranked to 11. "Deny" is a sappy power ballad, and I can't stress 'sappy' enough. I'm sure it was penned to make all the ladies go 'awwww'. "Tell Me" is a much better ballad. The lyrics are better written and the melody is touching. Terry shows his writing talent promently on two of the more personal tracks. "Asking" is the story of a man who never got to express his feelings to his father, who has since passed on. It's hard to tell if it's just a story, or taken from Terry's real life. "Letter to God", the centerpiece of the CD, is taken from Ilous' real life. Terry lost his son late last year, and on this track, he questions his faith. It makes you think. The song was decated to his son's memory. Bottom Line: Letter to God is a diamond in the rough. It's loaded with crunchy riffs, melodic vocals, well-written lyrics, and impressive guitar playing. XYZ have put together a great rock record that's sure to please all rock fans. I really enjoyed the emotion that Ilous put into the more personal songs. XYZ proves that the music of the eighties is not dead, it's alive and well. It's just hard to fnd.

• What's On Your Mind
• Letter To God
• Asking
• Tango
• Rainy Day
• United
• Deny
• Touch The Sky
• Tell Me
• Well
• Burn It Up
• Inside Out
• What Keeps Me Loving You
• Never Too Late
• Tango (Spanish Version)