Customer Reviews

Outside Looking In

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Outside Looking In is the debut solo album from Bruce Turgon, who is best known for his collaboration with former Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm in Shadow King. The singer/bassist/songwriter again teams with Gramm, as well as Ronnie Montrose for his initial solo outing.

Judging this album based entirely on the Gramm connection is understandable, but it's not entirely fair. Turgon is a talented musician in his own right, and that's more than evident on Outside Looking In. This isn't a Lou Gramm or Shadow King album with a different singer. Turgon brings his own style to the forefront, and the results are quite impressive. For one thing, this is a surprisingly heavy album. Sure it's melodic, but it rocks pretty hard too. It also has a more modern sound than Turgon's previous work, bringing to mind bands like Harem Scarem and Emerald Rain. Turgon doesn't have quite the same vocal range as Gramm, but he still gives a solid midrange performance with some great backing vocals.

All in all, Outside Looking In is a fine melodic rock album, and maintains the high quality standard I expect from a Frontiers/Locomotive release. It should appeal to Foreigner/Shadow King fans, as well as anyone who enjoys high quality modern melodic rock.

I have known Bruce for a long time and I'm a huge fan of all his musical abilities and projects. I feel this is a Great... first time solo effort. It has a hint of Shadow King, a touch of Foreigner, and the rest is all Bruce! Anyone who has heard of and likes Shadow King, would enjoy this alblum tremendously........ His choice of supporting musicians was also excellent.... This CD ROCKS!!!!!

I have long been a fan of Bruce Turgon's work with Lou Gramm, in BLACK SHEEP, SHADOW KING, FOREIGNER, and Gramm's solo albums. Turgon finally has an opportunity to show the world how much of that classic sound came from him. This is not the greatest rock album I've heard, but it holds up well enough next to Lou Gramm's solo albums. Gramm co-wrote and sings backing vocals on two of these songs, and the Japanese edition has a bonus track also written with Gramm. The bonus track is one of the highlights of the album, so it is worth the extra money to find the import.

I gave the album several spins to let it sink in, but even then it's leaving me a little bit cold. It certainly sounds like it could have been a great Lou Gramm album, but Turgon's own vocals are rather weak, almost as if he's just trying to mimic Gramm's style. I expect that Turgon may find his own voice on a subsequent album, but this one makes for a fine debut.

Bruce Turgon has paired up with Lou Gramm on several recordings over the years, the best (at least to me) being the Shadow King CD from 1991. Bruce goes it alone this time, writing or co-writing all thirteen tunes on this CD (the co-writer on three of them being Mr. Gramm). I spent the extra bucks to get the import, which has a bonus track that justified the extra expense for me.

Once you listen this CD, you'll realize that Bruce is the man behind that brooding, simmering sound that you've heard on those other recordings. Quite simply, this CD rocks! It is solid from tracks 1 to 13, with that unique sound that many of us can't get enough of. Bruce's vocals suit the material well; while he is not as stong a vocalist as Gramm (well, who is?), his voice works well here. Although, I can't help but think that if Mr. Gramm was singing these tunes, we'd all be talking about what a classic this one is.

If you are a big fan of Lou Gramm and Foreigner, you ought to check this one out. If you get the Japanese version, you'll get the extra bonus track, which is every bit as good as the rest of the tunes.

Also, if you have concerns about getting a Japanese import (as I did, being someone who had never done that before), don't worry - all the liner notes are the same as the English version (plus you do get an insert with lyrics in Japanese). The liner notes do have all the lyrics, which is definitely a plus.

The Good

Driving keyboards and pulsing drums lead the charge on "Living a Lie". Little guitar licks here and there, courtesy of Ronnie Montrose, only enhance the experience. Turgon's vocals a similar to longtime collaborator Lou Gramm, but they're a little lower registering. "Outside Looking In" used a guitar muting technique that mimics the ticking of a clock. If you listen to the lyrics, you'll understand why. The energy continues to build with each verse and chorus. Bruce unleashes his vocal emotion here. "Walk Through Fire" has sort of an epic build to it as the drums dominate first, and the guitar comes in for effect. The chorus emits and anthemic feel.

"Pleasure Dome" relies heavily on keyboard effects and crunchy guitar riffs. The Miami Vice Theme might have been the inspiration for the keyboard hook on "Weapons of Love". Of all the songs up to this point, this one is what a great melodic rock song is all about; a little bit of that 80's sound with a catchy and tuneful vocal delivery (killer solo too). "The Last Time" is another track that kicks things into high gear with lots of pleasing guitar riffage.

The Bad

Not enough powerful, over-the-top, high energy rockers.

The Verdict

I'm a big fan of Foreigner, Lou Gramm, and Shadow King, so I was really looking forward to this one. Sadly, it didn't meet my expectations. That's not to say it isn't good, it's just isn't great. There's just a lot of energy that's missing. Outside Looking In can be summed up best as a standard, by-the-book, melodic rock release. Oh, if you haven't heard the Shadow King album, I suggest snagging a copy on eBay; it's a long lost melodic classic.

The Good

Driving keyboards and pulsing drums lead the charge on "Living a Lie". Little guitar licks here and there, courtesy of Ronnie Montrose, only enhance the experience. Turgon's vocals a similar to longtime collaborator Lou Gramm, but they're a little lower registering. "Outside Looking In" used a guitar muting technique that mimics the ticking of a clock. If you listen to the lyrics, you'll understand why. The energy continues to build with each verse and chorus. Bruce unleashes his vocal emotion here. "Walk Through Fire" has sort of an epic build to it as the drums dominate first, and the guitar comes in for effect. The chorus emits and anthemic feel.

"Pleasure Dome" relies heavily on keyboard effects and crunchy guitar riffs. The Miami Vice Theme might have been the inspiration for the keyboard hook on "Weapons of Love". Of all the songs up to this point, this one is what a great melodic rock song is all about; a little bit of that 80's sound with a catchy and tuneful vocal delivery (killer solo too). "The Last Time" is another track that kicks things into high gear with lots of pleasing guitar riffage.

The Bad

Not enough powerful, over-the-top, high energy rockers.

The Verdict

I'm a big fan of Foreigner, Lou Gramm, and Shadow King, so I was really looking forward to this one. Sadly, it didn't meet my expectations. That's not to say it isn't good, it's just isn't great. There's just a lot of energy that's missing. Outside Looking In can be summed up best as a standard, by-the-book, melodic rock release. Oh, if you haven't heard the Shadow King album, I suggest snagging a copy on eBay; it's a long lost melodic classic.

I have long been a fan of Bruce Turgon's work with Lou Gramm, in BLACK SHEEP, SHADOW KING, FOREIGNER, and Gramm's solo albums. Turgon finally has an opportunity to show the world how much of that classic sound came from him. This is not the greatest rock album I've heard, but it holds up well enough next to Lou Gramm's solo albums. Gramm co-wrote and sings backing vocals on two of these songs, and the Japanese edition has a bonus track also written with Gramm. The bonus track is one of the highlights of the album, so it is worth the extra money to find the import.

I gave the album several spins to let it sink in, but even then it's leaving me a little bit cold. It certainly sounds like it could have been a great Lou Gramm album, but Turgon's own vocals are rather weak, almost as if he's just trying to mimic Gramm's style. I expect that Turgon may find his own voice on a subsequent album, but this one makes for a fine debut.