Whitesnake: Forevermore

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Perhaps less noticed than it should have been Whitesnake‘s 2011 release entitled “Forevermore” teams the legendary David Coverdale back up with guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach to crank out 13 tracks very reminiscent of the Whitesnake you immediately think of when you hear the band’s name.

Coverdale has a history of surrounding himself with the very best talent available to write songs and perform with him (John Sykes, Vivian Campbell, Steve Vai, Adrian Vandenburg, Tommy Aldridge, Ian Paice,the list goes on!) and for Forevermore he did it again, adding Briian Tichy on drums and Michael Devin on bass to the Aldrich/Beach duo.  When you have two guitarists as talented as these two in the same band you expect to get your ears melted with blistering solos and Forevermore’s tracks do not disappoint.  The two trade solos in several tracks and each guitarist is fully showcased throughout the album.  Their uncanny ability to compliment each other creates such layers of guitars that you’re left wondering how many guitarists are on this album?

Coverdale possesses one of the few voices that are instantly recognizable when you hear it.  From his days in Deep Purple and all the way through each incarnation of Whitesnake, you knew who’s raspy wail it was you were hearing without any visual clues.  Some 40 years after he broke onto the music scene with Deep Purple, his voice is as sharp as ever delivering as much power as ever into your ears.

Briian Tichy (yep, two i’s) was relatively unknown to me until I read his name in the liner notes for this album.  Tommy Aldridge, one of my favorite drummers, is the drummer you heard and saw on many of the albums and videos for the Whitesnake hits from the late 80s and early 90s and if you’ve ever seen Aldridge play you know how unbelievable he is.  Naturally I wondered how Tichy would stack up as his successor.  I got 30 seconds in to the first track, Steal Your Heart Away, and my question was answered.   If I had any doubt left “My Evil Ways” beat it out of me.  Literally.  This guy plays heavy and he plays LOUD.  Perfect fit, no?

“Love Will Set You Free”, the first single and “Dogs In the Street” both harken back to the headbanging you did to Here I Go Again, Fool For Loving and Give Me All Your Love.  The album is not without Whitesnake’s signature ballads.  The title track Forevermore eases you along acoustically as Coverdale seems to have found an answer to the eternal question of “Is This Love?” (see what I did there?), the band kicks in halfway through and rocks it out til the end of the song.  ”One of These Days” is another acoustic jammer that’s got you nodding along to lyrics about leaving the past behind and moving along.

Whether it’s those signature power ballads or the rockin’ riffs you’re reminiscing about, Forevermore will get your foot tapping and even your head banging once again.  Check Forevermore out on iTunes, crank it up to 11 and rock out to the power of David Coverdale and Whitesnake once again!  \m/

Whitesnake toured in 2011 to support the album and rumors are swirling there will be more from the rock legend and his entourage in the coming year but no official word has been released as yet.  These guys are on my bucket list of bands to see in concert and here’s to hoping we see them make the rounds in the States again soon!

Track listing:

1. Steal Your Heart Away
2. All Out of Luck
3. Love Will Set You Free
4. Easier Said Than Done
5. Tell Me How
6. I Need You (Shine a Light)
7. One of These Days
8. Love and Treat Me Right
9. Dogs in the Street
10. Fare Thee Well
11. Whipping Boy Blues
12. My Evil Ways
13. Forevermore

Forevermore is available on iTunes and at other music retailers
Official Whitesnake Website