Von Groove--Test of Faith

Von Groove--Test of Faith (1999/MTM) Rating--6.4

What happened? Perhaps last year's 'Chameleon' release was just that---the band masquerading as something that it wasn't. On this offering virtually all of the edge is gone, with a much lighter and more melodic feel. The closest comparison to the previous disc would be real mellow Shark Island, or maybe a little Mr. Big (without the instrumental fanfare). The songs aren't bad... it's simply a puzzling switch, as the band truly rocked in '98...
"Foolin' Yourself" has a good, forceful chorus, and more strong melodies show up in "Only Love." "The Damage is Done" is a splendid all-acoustic piece with splashes of orchestration also thrown in.
The end of the disc boasts some of the old distortion and energy, as "Rock & Roll Station" is heavy and raw.
It shall be interesting to see which direction the band chooses from here. The money may (arguably) lay towards the melodic side, but the band was stronger when the distortion was dialed to nasty...
TRACK LIST: Test of Faith/It Should Have Been Me/I Saw the Light/Foolin' Yourself/Back in Love Again/Tell It To Me/ Anything For My Baby/Only Love/The Damage is Done/Rock & Roll Station/On the Run

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