Album Review: Alter Bridge - Pawns & Kings

These days, it seems like every musician is involve in multiple bands or projects. I completely understand why, but there are downsides for us, as fans. I am firmly of the belief that our minds can only absorb so much music at a time, and only so much from the same people, before it all blends together into a mush. Release too much music, and none of it stands out. There's an old cliche that says, "How can I miss you when you won't go away?" It's a harsher way of saying what I'm getting at; without enough time between releases, it's hard to be as excited about the next one.

That's where I am with Myles Kennedy. Last year, he released his second solo album. This year, he already appeared on the latest record with Slash and his band. And now we have Myles popping up yet again with Alter Bridge. I was afraid, even before playing this new record, that I was worn out on Myles voice for the time being. The law of diminishing returns seemed likely, especially since I tend to prefer Myles with Slash to begin with.

The reason why is evident on songs like "Silver Tongue". It has a good riff and a solid chorus, but none of it really pops to my ears. The guitars are tuned down so low (as is the case with so much of modern rock/metal), the notes in the riff lack bite, sounding more like a blur of sound than something I can pick out and remember. I don't know if it's just my ears that struggle with such low frequencies, or if it really is that guitars are more articulate at higher tunings, but over the course of an entire album, it gets fatiguing to have the music sit in such an awkward sonic space.

This is where I say what a shame that is, since Alter Bridge has always been damn good at what they do. In the world of modern heavy rock, there really aren't any bands that do it better. They deliver songs with plenty of crushing guitar, and Myles rarely fails to bring soaring melodies that invite us in. They don't reinvent the formula, they just do it better than most everyone else.

That being said, I continue to maintain their high point was "III", where they found the perfect blend between the deep groove of Tremonti's riffs and Myles' hookiest melodies. Since then, with the addition of Tremonti's solo project, Alter Bridge has sometimes felt like they have been chasing heaviness, even though the solo escape was supposed to quench that thirst. Instead, it seems to have exerted an unintended gravity I don't think has quite worked out for the best.

The theme of this record is drama. Many of these songs are built on trying to up the stakes, sounding bigger and deeper than usual. There are times when that works well, as on the opening "This Is War", where the stabbing chords and the choral accents widen our horizon. But there are other times when reaching for something bigger stretches the notes past the point where the melody can handle. Myles has plenty of power, but pure belting isn't always as interesting as singers like to think it is. So yes, a couple of these songs try a bit too hard.

This is most evident on "Stay", where Mark takes the lead vocal, with Myles accompanying him for a majority of the track. It's the most unusual song on the album, as it's sunnier, and has more of a sense of fun to it. The brief levity is a reminder of how almost dour the tones can make the rest of the album sound. I know Alter Bridge is a serious band, and they want to sound like they're playing serious music, but a few more rays of light would only serve to give the albums diversity to make every color and tone stand apart and shine even more.

Ultimately, this new Alter Bridge album fits right in with the others. They continue to deliver good records that are sure to please their fans. While they haven't made that one record yet that has become vital to me, I appreciate them setting a bar for everyone else to reach for. Only a few have been able to, so let's give Alter Bridge their due.