Jettblack - Raining Rock

Rev up the engines it's time for another Jettblack record and I'm a little excited for this one. The band has grown a little more since their last album. This time out the band has taken a more accessible straight ahead hard rock sound on Raining Rock. The problem is that the production is not good enough to make this genre soar to the heights it needs to be great. With that said I don't dislike this record in the slightest with the power rock "System" the reminds me of early Great White.

The band sort of stay in the early part of the 80's for the majority of this album abandoning their modern aspect from the debut album.  Which is another reason that this comes off as a little forgettable. But "Sunshine" is a great song that would be much better served with a Nickelback styled production. The very Dokken-ish "Never Gonna Give It Up" has all the right parts from the harmonized intro to the excellent soaring guitar that drops into the galloping riff. But once again the thin production needs much more bottom end and compression to make it sound full and energetic. Listen to Dokken's "In My Dreams" and then you will understand what I mean.

The swagger of "The In-Between Loves" brings Winger to mind instantly and leaves a little imprint in the sand instead of a twenty-five foot hole in the ground. I kind of winced when I saw Udo Dirkschneider guesting on a track but turns out that it's one of the better tracks on the album. I crank this one up pretty loud and turn up the bass to get some kick and punch air along to the fun rockin' track. Too bad the production is lacking on this album because if Chad Kroeger had a go with these tracks this album would be a monster.