Few rock guitarists are as talented
Michael Schenker, yet he hasn't enjoyed the mainstream success he richly deserves. Maddening personal and business problems have weighed him down for most of his career. He joined
Scorpions as a teenager before serving a turbulent stint in
UFO that still managed to produce a handful of classic '70s hard rock albums -- all of which should have been big hits. The
Michael Schenker Group and then the
McAuley Schenker Group/
MSG with vocalist
Robin McAuley became slicker-sounding solo vehicles for the German axe slinger, but widespread fame remained just out of reach. A few reunions with
UFO were short-lived. In 2008,
Schenker and original
Michael Schenker Group vocalist
Gary Barden revived the band and released
In the Midst of Beauty under the moniker
MSG Schenker-Barden. They are joined on the album by three highly respected veterans: keyboardist
Don Airey (
Rainbow,
Deep Purple), bass guitarist
Neil Murray (
Whitesnake), and drummer
Simon Phillips (
Toto). Make no mistake, they are literally supporting players and this is
Schenker and
Barden's show.
In the Midst of Beauty is a no-frills hard rock album made by musicians who helped define and refine the genre. The in-your-face production showcases
Schenker's jaw-dropping guitar work and
Barden's throaty, lived-in voice.
Schenker is revered by guitar fanatics for his rich tone and fast, fluidly precise attack, and on
In the Midst of Beauty the tone is grittier and a little more distorted than his earlier work. This gives the songs a more modern edge. "City Lights" and "I Want You" are straight-up rockers. The fast and furious "Competition" rumbles with punk-like energy. "The Cross of Crosses" thunders along as
Barden's ambitious lyrics bubble with religious imagery. "Na Na" relies on a midtempo groove and a catchy chorus. "Summerdays" is the most complex and nuanced song on the album as
Schenker weaves sweet acoustic lines with his signature electric style. The arrangement of "Ride on My Way" changes throughout while showing flashes of pop that hint at
Schenker's radio-aimed '80s and early-'90s efforts.
In the Midst of Beauty isn't revolutionary, but it does enjoyably spotlight the incredible talents of old pros who still have fire in their bellies. ~ Bret Adams