1991 Lou Gramm for the year 1 after Foreigner. After Lou Gramm left May 1990 Foreigner and his 2nd studio album posted significantly behind the international claim was a member Foreigner's, the idea matured to his own band. With his longtime musical companion Bruce Turgon and the exception - guitarist Vivian Campbell, and drummer Kevin Valentine was lifted "Shadow King" from the baptism. Notably inspired by Lou Gramm's years of domination by Mick Jones Foreigner. The material comes 90 percent from the pen of the author team's Turgon / gram. October 1991 now released their self-titled album. By Keith Olsen Atlantic Records undertook a successful producer, who supervised already Band's like Fleetwood Mac, Loverboy or Foreigner. "What Would It Take" begins as grams actually never wanted to sound! Cold synthesizer passages with a later onset rhythm guitar: grams increases equal to one in the fragile rhythm and increases the voltage to the almost melodic chorus. As an introduction passable but nothing more. "Anytime, Anywhere" is a typical Turgon / gram - Rocker and reminds the Songaubau of material gram's solo - albums. With "Once Upon A Time" the band finally creates some AOR - atmosphere. The pumping Beat lets the mid - point a lot of development potential with a typical Gram's singalong chorus ;-) The powerful ballad "Do not Even Know I'm Alive" has many good points, but does not act by producing the right place! Here sounds grams in keeping with his house band Foreigner. First alleged climax with catchy - quality. "Boy" with its cold power - reef's rocks without a soul. Leaves more like a "Füllsongs". Now comes the single - single "I Want You". Cumbersome with loosened beat and catchy melodic rock Shadow King and give your album a "style - face". The absolute highlight is the following "This Heart Of Stone"! Everything is just right: Short crisp intro in mind always a melody line and one gram in top form. The Mid - Rocker is clearly tuned for chart entry. "Danger In The Dance Of Love" picks up where its predecessor left off, only succeeds here not really to maintain the level. Despite clear thumbs up! "No Man's Land" opens only after repeated listening. As a quiet ballad beginning, it rocks then the midtempo more skillfully. Give it to completion then a "bred" Ballade! Vivian Campbell and Lou Gramm created a very simple but impressive opus. "Russia" consists of a clean melodic acoustic guitar with a melancholic sounding Lou Gramm. As producer Keith Olsen commented later in an interview: "With Russia Lou Gramm delivers his strongest vocal work from ..." Pure goose bumps! Conclusion: Clean and powerful produced album, which was very well captured on CD. Unfortunately, the material can not entirely convincing. Atlantic Records supported this production unfortunately only half-heartedly, since you still eyeing the separation Lou Gramm's Foreigner suspiciously! The large-scale application on 13 December 1991 King's Shadow by a concert at the London Astoria also could not help because ... Who expects the participating Lou Gramm's a style similar to Foreigner Opus, will be a little disappointed. Unfortunately, he also suggests no bridge to his blues - rock history with "Black Sheep" ... Nevertheless, a clear must for the Foreigner - collection ;-)
