Tony Harnell & The Mercury Train - Round Trip

Release Date: July 27th, 2010
Label: Frontiers Records

TRACK LISTING

1.   Somebody Told You
2.   Intuition
3.   Month of Sundays
4.   Lonely Nights
5.   Shame
6.   Northern Lights
7.   Down to the River to Pray
8.   Satellite
9.   10K Lovers
10.  Uninvited
11.  Ready to Fly
12.  When I'm Away (Bonus Track)
13.  Song for Dianne
14.  Anywhere But Here 

Total playing time:  51:20

July 24, 2010

Reviewer: M.J.

Metal vocalists leaving or wanting to leave their big name bands for decidedly non metal pursuits is nothing new as we have heard rumblings from Michael Kiske (Helloween), Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche), and Mille Petrozza (Kreator) in recent years. Add to that list Tony Harnell (TNT, Westworld, & Starbreaker), who has stepped away his day job with TNT altogether in favor of a solo venture that explores more radio friendly fare.  Much like Kiske, he has reworked some of his favorite back catalogue material and released them in a more intimate, stripped down acoustic styled format with varying degrees of success on his first full length release, Round Trip.

Tony has assembled an accomplished cast of musicians to surround him on this outing, many of whom make up his band dubbed The Mercury Train. Tony wears the producer’s hat and tweaks this into pristine perfection while Bruno Ravel (Danger Danger) handles the mix and mastering. No problems with hearing the various instrumentation or vocals in the mix as everything slides effortlessly into place like a cold hand into a warm leather glove. Tony makes it a family affair with his wife Amy adding vocals and a turn at the descant recorder. Dueting with Tony on the relaxed “Shame” is Sandi Saraya of Saraya fame. Besides Tony’s stunning voice, what make this record really stand out is the collection of songs. Tony took great care to pick songs that would be excellent for this sort of treatment. Starting this off, you have the slinky “Somebody Told You” that just smolders with sex appeal but soon we are whisked away through the sweet and airy “Intuition”, the easy going “Month of Sundays” and the beautiful and restrained (compared to the original) “Lonely Nights”. If you haven’t notice by my adjectives, everything has been tamed down enough to be accessible for an adult contemporary radio palette. Hardcore fans of Tony’s bands may not be too happy about this but I think it shows the versatility of the songs - they can withstand a change in decibel level and arrangement and still prove to be very effective.

“Northern Lights” is the song that’s been chosen as the first single/video to promote the album and it’s a star among stars; simple, graceful and adorned with a gorgeous vocal delivery. Talk about a song giving you goosebumps - if this doesn’t, then nothing will. My second favorite track comes quickly after; the sunny “Satellite” simply functions with only vocals and a ukulele (plus a weird kazoo like sound that pops up occasionally). Fondly, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” immediately comes to mind. Not to be outdone, “10K Lovers” absolutely flips the original on its ear as a mesmerizing jazzy nightclub number with hints of Spanish flamenco. “Uninvited” (Alanis Morissette cover) isn’t nearly as scary this time around (Tony first recorded it with Westworld). It brilliantly showcases Tony’s tremendous vocal control and range. I never get tired of hearing him sing this unnerving tune. “When I’m Away” with its foot tapping tempo transforms the listener into a giddy teenager in love all over again. The lovely “Song for Dianne”, complemented with flute accompaniment, is haunting and melancholic. The album ends on a high note with the sole new song, the Beatlesque “Anywhere But Here” (think: “In My Life”). It holds up well against the other songs with its smooth daydream sophistication.

It’s hard to imagine these songs sounding any better. They have taken on a whole new life with this fresh re-approach that in no way sounds like a retread or cash grab. A year in the making shows the thoughtful deliberation made by everyone involved to make this something brand new again. The power of the new interpretations is hard to deny and Round Trip is a most worthy addition to anyone’s collection. Tony does not cease to impress.

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