listening room | Major Healey - Behind The Mask (2003)
by: Matthew Hundley
A few months back the CVEA joined Major Healey as they were rapping up production of their newest CD, "Behind the Mask." (See article In The Studio With Major Healey).
The second release from Major Healey features some very well produced, well written "modern classic rock."
That's right I said, "modern classic rock" and I mean it in a complimentary way. The music throughout this recording melds modern production techniques with a classic rock sound.
I'd go as far as to say that "Behind The Mask" rivals many of the mid-1980's releases from Styx, Supertramp, Foreigner and the like. The playing is tight, the production is wonderful (kudos to Jon Chamberlain and Steve Aries), and Scott Stackhouse's vocals really soar on this one.
A quick track by track rundown...
Cold Room
The layered guitars are nice, probably not the best track on the CD, but it opens the doors for the sound of things to come.
Shelter
I dig the opening. This track reminds me of "Double Vision" era Foreigner.
Under The Smoke
There’s a nice guitar groove that jump starts this song. I can't help but think of, “shot in the heart, but your to blame, you gave love a bad name,” every time you launch into the chorus.
Wine
The production values put into this piece are great. From the effects-ridden open to the Zepplin-esque acoustic guitars. The vocal performace is also very good.
End of the Day
This piece would have been a good opener. It rocks heavy. It’s just strong, straight forward rock and roll. Very remniscent to "Pieces of Eight" era Styx.
Inside Out
While I dig the music on this. The change in vocal pulls me out of the Major Healey mode and weakens the track overall. While politics surely dictated who sang this, I would’ve put Scott in the drivers seat.
Rise Up
This is a fun romp with Denny Gibbs filling in on B3. I start catching the Styx vibe again due to the organ and vocal harms.
Shadow of Your Soul
Again, the production quality and performance are great on this song. It gets a bit long. I’m fighting the urge to throw out comparisons to the Eagles circa "The Long Run".
Turn to Gray
Back into the heavy sound. This song to me sounds like “Waterloo” rock, in part due to the vocals. Again, the change in vocalist pulls from the continuity of the release.
Behind The Mask
This song sounds like…Major Healey. It’s more updated. It’s the vocal sound that works best for them. The production is nice. The B3 is subtle, but works well to accent the other instruments.
To close.
This release shines over its predecessor. Scott’s singing is great. The musicianship shines throughout. The production quality is top notch. It is easy to find yourself pulling mid-eighties rock comparisons as you listen to this, but that’s the style and sound these guys know best. I would keep the singing duties with one person and capitalize on the "true" Major Healey sound, that I didn’t really catch until "Behind the Mask," the title track and closing number on the CD.
Great work overall. Look forward to number three.
Posted: November 19, 2003  
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