TREAT – Coup De Grace

Young versus, eh, “older”…yester year versus today – Treat’s comeback is indeed telling: a group of seasoned musicians proud of its heritage but reluctant to rely on past glories. For, would even the most nostalgic listener be hard pressed to confess the strengths of hook-laden material such as newbies “All For Love”, “Breathless” and “Paper Tiger”, which ought to sit comfortably on the shelf among former Treat medals that made up the likes of “Changes”, “World of Promises” and “Ride Me High”? Hardly surprising, the party element is not as prevalent as it used to be, but taken in the feel good nature of Treat’s music is as alive as ever, as evident in “All In”, “Roar”, and “No Way Without You”.

Amidst what appears to be the band’s quest to showcase the ultimate Melodic Rock song, Coup De Grace manages to encompass a fairly broad scope for it’s genre. “I’m Not Running” and “Skies of Mongolia” features a slight draw towards darker territory with a bit of an epic stance which makes up for a nice contrast to sugary coated moments “A Life To Die For” and the hint towards Def Leppard’s “Stand Up” that is “We Own the Night”.

A strive to better the things in life that were good in the first place? Coup De Grace could be seen as a musical equivalent. Welcome home, chaps!