Champlin Williams Friestedt
CWF

Champlin, Williams and Friestedt have joined together to make a studio album; they have previously made a tour together and made a DVD that was quite successful. It is not bad names these ones either, Champlin known as vocalist for Chicago, Williams known as vocalist for Toto and Friestedt who is a competent guitarist and producer who have previously made an album together with Joseph Williams, an album that we liked when we reviewed it a few years ago. This album looks very much like a melodic rock album, something that you probably expect when you see these names on the cover – I, and I think everyone else, would have been extremely surprised if this was a death metal album.

It isn’t death metal, or black metal – I think that the melodic rock of these guys can best be described as a hybrid between Toto and Chicago. It is very melodic with two characteristic voices and a catchiness that makes it easily accessible but still with enough depth to keep it interesting for the repeat listener. The vocalists are excellent, as we knew they would be even before listening to the album – I think they lift the songs with their vocal performances. You can really hear the competence that has been gathered for this album, the sound is excellent so a thumb up for the production is a must. I am quite sure that most people will agree with me when I state that this is a quality production that also has a short enough playing time to avoid feeling repetitive.

There is however one thing to remark on, as I don’t think they do offer much in terms of originality as it sounds like a collection of Toto and Chicago songs. Something that is a bit handicapping if they are trying for the highest scores in our rating system. Still, it is a great album with excellent singers and sound, so they still deserve a fairly high rating. I can recommend this album for those of you who really like Toto or Chicago as it is really entertaining and appealing. I think that this is a great album and it is well worth having a close look at, I really like it and enjoy listening to it.

I mostly enjoy listening to the second track Aria, a track that is very impressive and great. It is also that thing that grabs you and makes you want to return and hear the album again. I think that the ending of the album is a little bit tame, very soft and a bit too tame even though I quite like the last track – but if you really want to complain it is about the ending it feels most legitimate. CWF is a great album, it is entertaining and I think that you can only dislike this album if you are a knight with a heart of stone and I know from surveys that those are in a declining minority amongst our readers and that is why I with a clear consciousness can recommend this album to you.

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