After three albums of good ideas, could Angelica be ready to gel as a band and release the perfect album? Guitar ace Dennis Cameron produced himself a really good guitar sound, as usual, and his playing in "Gotta Get Ready" prepares the listener for the tasteful riffs to come. "Running Wild" has a very cool groove, and though the drums (programmed?) are solid, they don't punch. "Second Chance" pleas for the act of forgiveness to a good Pop melody. The chorus hook is great, with nice BGV's helping out a bunch. "Open Your Mind" is a slammin' tune with a big rockin' vibe and jammin' hook. "Don't Stop" features a pickin' 'n' strummin' acoustic intro for this anthemic tune, featuring a great little solo. This song is my pick for radio success. Van Halen could've used this tune on one if its first three albums. Maybe these lyrics about building your house on a sure foundation will make listeners attracted to this catchy tune think. The title track is another winner, with superb vocal lines written into the chorus. Vocalist Drew Baca sounds polished and strong. I wouldn't call it the perfect album, but I'd say that it succeeds where the other three have failed, in that some of the songs sound like they have real lasting power. They've got the well-rounded structure that makes ya wanna hear 'em again and again.
Other coverage for this album
Syndicate Nov/Dec 1992Reviewed by Dave SteinerThere's a million and one recipes for cooking up good, commercial hard rock music, but what separates this fourth release by Dennis Cameron's Angelica from the rest of the lot is that through his deft guitar playing and simple-man lyrics, one is left feeling positive and full of hope. Most will probably find the Extreme-like funk of "Gotta Get Ready," "Running Wild," and "Open Your Mind" to be…
