The Lizards - Against All Odds (2006)

 

Against All Odds, a groove-a-licious riff-monster of an album that just might be one of the best hard rock/boogie albums of the year. With a new line-up of singer /keyboard player Mike DiMeo (Riot), guitarist Patrick Klein, drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow/Black Sabbath/Blue Oyster Cult), and bassist Randy Pratt, the band seems to be firing on all cylinders. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have guest vocalist Glenn Hughes sitting in for a couple of songs either! With extensive touring and a line-up that seems to have really solidified, the future looks bright for the band, and Against All Odds is proof positive.

Taking influences from bands such as Humble Pie, Deep Purple, Mountain, Grand Funk Railroad, and Cactus, these guys churn out plenty of bluesy hard rock gems here, long on crunchy guitar riffs, tight rhythms, funky Hammond fills, and soaring vocals. DiMeo's husky vocals and tasty organ & synth tones really add a lot to the band's music, turning songs like "I'm No Good" and"Can't Fool Myself" into great hard rock anthems, and his passionate delivery on songs such as "Ariel" and "My Dark Angel" works well with the brooding and atmospheric prog rock style of the instrumentation. Klein especially lays down some wicked solos on these, even dueling it out with DiMeo's Hammond for a take on the classic Blackmore-Lord scenario. Glenn Hughes delivers a stunning duet with DiMeo on the Beatles influenced "Take the Fall", and gets down on the funky "On a Wire". Speaking of funky, the near 9-minute "Revelation No. 9" is a real groove laden thumber, with Hughes and DiMeo again sharing the vocal slot, and complemented by searing guitar licks, Rondinelli intricate drum work, bubbling bass patterns from Pratt, and cool organ & electric piano riffs. A similar formula is followed on "Up the Stairs", with an added horn section further enhancing things, as well as a drop dead stunner of a guitar solo from Klein, who has not only monster chops but killer tone. As if to say "we are not only a hard rock band", the band proves they can write a good pop song as well, evidenced by "The Arrival of Layla", a tune that has a certain Cheap Trick-like charm to it.

Against All Odds is just an all around good rock record that has plenty to offer to fans of bluesy hard rock and prog, and a release that just keeps getting better with each listen. Check it out.(seaoftranquility.org)

The Lizards CD's can be found @ Grooveyard records website.