Stunning third opus from Dare
Rikki | Lancaster, England | 03/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm only 19 so I missed the great 80's rock years, though it is my passion to uncover gems like Giant and House of Lords and I will never forget the day that I first picked up Dare's 'Blood from Stone' masterpiece. However, the album in question is Calm Before the Storm and I don't know where to sart with my praise. I find it very difficult to pick out a single song that stands above the rest because I feel that all the songs are superbly written and produced by Darren. The mature sound harks back to the 1988 release of 'Out of the Silence' with songs like Abandon and return the Heart(my two favourites) and the more AOR feel as opposed to the emotional rockers of 'Blood from Stone'. The songs seem to take you into a meditative state if you have your headphones on in bed and you can feel a real affinity as if Darren is performing the songs for yourself. The album opens with 'Walk on water' which was re-recorded after it first appeared on a B-side from 'Blood from Stone'. The Epic title track lasts for about 10 minutes and takes you to a state of higher consciousness. 'Still in love with you' was oringinally a song by Phil Lynott and is perhaps my favourite with a superb emotional solo like the previous song 'Deliverance' in which Darrens voice cracks with emotion. I can't recommend this album highly enough to anyone who wants to get a bit more in touch with themselves and feel the power of beautiful music I can't wait for the new album Belief which is now sheduled for a May finish and a June release. I met Darren recently at an accustic UK gig and he was a great guy - he said the new album would be even softer and more emotional."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1