BROTHERS IN ARMS – Sunset And Clark

The Backstory

Heavy Metal mainstay and axeman Jack Frost (Burning Witches) channels his inner Jake E. Lee (Badlands) with his latest all-star project Brothers In Arms. Unlike past projects Frost is known for, Jack and his bothers attempt to capture the magic and aurora of the Sunset Strip and the sold out arenas of the ’70s, ’80s, and early ’90s. The guest list on Sunset and Clark is extensive and features members who bring their experiences from that time period to the soundboard.

The Album

“Bitch Is Crazy” is a dirty Blues rocker led by the gritty vocals of Keith St. John (Montrose). St. John returns on “Make You Mine.” It’s one of the slower tracks on the album, accented by soft ’80s style keyboard. Meaty guitar riffage leads the charge on “Last to Know.” Andrew Freeman (Last in Line) handles the vocals here with his signature soulful tone. Guitarist Jack Frost tears it up like days of old during the solo break.

Freeman makes another appearance on the mid-tempo rocker “The Ties That Bind.” Musically its clear Frost had Andrew in mind when writing this one. Roxy Blue’s vocalist Todd Pool also appears on two tracks; “Feel The Love” and “Voices Are Calling.” Pool has sort of a weathered Glenn Hughes vibrato to his vocals. Both tracks are a bit on the heavy side, but have plenty of melody.

“Long Way From Love” featuring Nick Walsh of Slik Toxic could use a little more tweaking to the vocal harmonies in the chorus. Maybe even more voices as well. Paul Shortino adds his rugged voice to “My Heart Knows.” The performance, voice, and song that stands out from the pack is “The City Never Sleeps.” FM vocalist Steve Overland has a phenomenal voice that pairs well with this simple riff led track.

The Verdict

Jack Frost isn’t the only musician bringing together their friends for an all-star jam session while live music is in a state of uncertainty, and he probably won’t be the last. Does it really matter who the special guests are? What matters is if the songs are any good.

Sunset and Clark is a mixed bag in that regard. Some tracks appear to have a lot of effort put behind them, while others not so much. While all the vocalists involved are great in the own way, Steve Overland is on another level, and listeners will take notice. Sunset and Clark is worth a listen, but will you go back to it? Probably not.

Tracklist

1. Bitch Is Crazy
2. Last to Know
3. The City Never Sleeps
4. Feel The Love
5. Make You Mine
6. The Ties That Bind
7. Long Way From Love
8. My Heart Knows
9. Wasting Light
10. Voices Are Calling

Brothers In Arms is

Jack Frost – Guitars
Karl Wilcox – Drums
Alex Jansen – Bass
Charlie Calv – Keyboards
Dave Amato – Guest Guitar
Mick Mahan – Guest Bass
Keith St. John – Vocals
Andrew Freeman – Vocals
Paul Shortino – Vocals
Steve Overland _ Vocals
Nick Walsh – Vocals
Jesse Damon – Vocals
Todd Poole – Vocals