Usual Suspects [Extra tracks, Import]

Joe Lynn Turner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Frontiers Italy
• ASIN: B00077W5OU
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,451 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Power of Love

2. Devil's Door

3. Jacknife

4. Really Loved

5. Rest of My Life

6. Into the Fire

7. Blood Money

8. All Alone

9. Ball and Chain

10. Live and Love Again

11. Unfinished Bizness [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another classic Joe Lynn Turner album, March 27, 2005

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Usual Suspects (Audio CD)

The Good
The last time I heard Joe Lynn Turner was on Brazen Abbott's last release, although he sounded okay, I thought that it wasn't the JLT I remembered. I was surprised when I gave The Usual Suspects a spin; this is the JLT I know and love! "Power of Love" is a mix of chugga-chugga riffing and sustained power chords. Joe's vocals are still melodic with just enough ruggedness to remain edgy. The persistent chorus really draws you in.

A wicked riff charges up "Devil's Door". This track focuses on JLT's powerful vocal prowess, pushing the instrumentation to the background. The periodic keyboard tones help underscore the song. The driving guitar and keyboard rhythms on "Jack Knife" recall the days of Rainbow. Al Pitrelli lays down an off-the-wall solo. "Really Loved" is a slow tempo, soulful track with keyboard heavy verses. Arena rock riffage blended with clean arpeggios command "Rest of My Life". The lyrics that make up the chorus are instantly memorable as Turner lays down some great layered vocals.

"Ball and Chain" has a funky muted riff and piercing lick to it. The guitar combo helps drive home the message of not being able to escape a troubled lover. Pitrelli delivers again during his solo. "Live and Love Again" is a bluesy power ballad about moving on (love that power bridge). JLT ends on a high note with "Unfinished Business". It has fast paced, hard driving rhythms that mingle well with Joe's forceful lyrics. Shades of 70s Deep Purple organ tones can be heard here.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
Another classic Joe Lynn Turner album! You don't have to be a longtime fan to enjoy JLT's brand of feel-good rock music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent songs with amazing vocals and top-notch guitars. So great!, November 16, 2006

By 

I. MUNOZ (Montreal, PQ, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Usual Suspects (Audio CD)

I might have overlooked this album because I am more into thrash and pure metal than into hard rock. Ok, I've always admired Joe Lynn Turner for his works with Yngwie Malmsteen and Rainbow, but it had been a long time since I had a thought about him. But there's also this guy, Al Pitrelli, who used to work for Savatage and for Megadeth, and his guitar playing and tone are second to none, and you know, for some reason I went to check his discography and this album popped up. So I said "JLT and Pitrelli together? Let's check that out!", and well, what I lucky guy I feel I am!

First of all, this music is purely melodic Rainbow-like AOR, as good as it can get from monsters of this height. Also guaranteed to keep your girlfriend happy, and you'll still be able to listen to rock when you're together on the road. :-D In any case, I encourage you to consume this sugar-fuelled set of amazing songs, which is more than good in spite of its commercial taste -- it does taste good, don't worry.

From the soaring opener "Power Of Love" you know you are into something really cool with this album. JLT sings his lungs out, and then Pitrelli puts the axe to sing too. Very enjoyable! I also enjoy to infinite proportions the energetic hardrocker "Jacknife" and the mid-paced "Devil's Door" -- ah! Pitrelli and his shining solos again! But I don't skip a single track when listening to this album. JLT knows how to sing with his beautiful, well-tempered and wide-ranged voice, and he plays the Midas King role all the time: whatever he touches instantly becomes pure gold. Take for example the ballad "Live And Love Again". It might have sounded banal sung by anyone else, but JLT's pipes make it sound so classy! There's no doubt that he is one of the best singers in the business.

By the way, the European version of this album has a bonus track that is worth a listening too -- "Unfinished Business". It is a pretty old-school hardrocker, in the normal vein of JLT, as enjoyable and fun as always.

To conclude the review, this is high-quality ear-friendly rock that will treat you with every played note. Nothing revolutionary, but perfectly crafted and amazingly sung, so it deserves five stars -- dues paid to Rainbow, of course. :-)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JLT just gets better, October 1, 2007

By 

Brians (WA Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Usual Suspects (Audio CD)

Years ago I first heard JLT singing on the much maligned Deep Purple Slaves and Masters album. I guess I was one of the few who enjoyed the raw edginess of JLT's voice and thought he bought a new era to DP. But it only lasted one album. JLT moved on to other projects including Rainbow and Hughes Turner Project etc, but I think he has really found his niche with his solo albums over the last few years. Recently (through Amazon, you just can't get these CD's in Australia) I have purchased Holy Man, the Usual Suspects, Sunstorm and Second Hand Life and they are just brilliant. On each album JLT has produced a good mix of rock and ballads which really showcase his excellent voice.