Initially, on first hearing the name Boysvoice, the image that was conjured up was one of a band that just happened to the product of one of those Simon Cowell Pop Idol type television programs. In reality however the band could not be further removed from  the type of music that that particular style of program typifies. Khali and Barrie over at Escape Music have done it to me again, that is found a band I’ve never heard of who are very good indeed!

Serenity is Boysvoice's third album and their first together in twelve years or so. The line up, shown in the right hand panel of this page, recorded the first Boysvoice album for EMI back way back in 1990 and followed this up, albeit with a slightly modified line up, with a  second album in the shape of 'Dirty Talk' in 1993. 

Overall the band's sound is slightly reminiscent of mid 80’s Bryan Adams crossed with Rick Springfield but with a touch of the Foo Fighters and  a mid 90’s guitar sound and production that really comes across well. Kicking off the CD is 'Open Your Eyes' that has that Rick Springfield/later day Bon Jovi sound but with a heavy guitar riff that really adds flavour to the track. Following this up are 'Lights Out' & 'best Friends lover'. The former starts off slowly before the guitar and bass kick in driving the track along, whereas the later is reminiscent of the Electric Boys at their very best complete with a funky little intro.

The diversity on the album also proves to be a strength, take 'What You Get' as an example, this has a feel of Billy Idol to the guitar sound, whereas the following two tracks ('Always On My Mind' & On Your Own' ) bear comparison with a more modern veriosn of 70's glamsters The Sweet and Bon Jovi respectively, the later in particular opening up with more Na Na Na Na Nah's than could be heard at a Bon Jovi fan convention, however despite (or perhaps because of) this, the number turns into a cool mid-tempo rock track

Heading back in the direction of Bryan Adams, as mentioned at the top of this review, is seventh song in, 'Crazy' , which combines a Waking Up The Neighbours feel with a vocal track that brings to mind Klaus Meine of the Scorpions. Mind you talking of the Scorpions 'All About You' is focused around one gigantic guitar riff running throughout, combined with a massive chorus to boot. The guitar stays at the forefront of the music on next song in 'Only See You There' which is based around the kind of guitar riff that would have done Rage Against The Machine proud in their heyday and rounding out the album we have the almost punk stylings of 'Too Late' and finally 'Rocket' where guitarist Peter Diezel is allowed to run riot in the opening bars, before turning into yet another cool mid-tempo rocker with an infectious chant along chorus.

As an additional bonus Serenity also sees the inclusion of two edit mixes of 'Lights Out' & 'Always On My Mind'. These are more acoustic led versions of the songs found earlier on the album and most definitely aimed at the more radio friendly listener. Nice to have the two differing versions to compare however.

Overall  Serenity is a great little album and one that will see this reviewer delving deep into the inventory of many a record shop to try an unearth copies of the band's previous albums to add to the collection.

Serenity is currently scheduled to be released on June 20th and more information can be found at www.escape-music.com or www.boysvoice.de

Let us know your views on 'Serenity'

Track List

Open Your Eyes
Lights Out
Best Friends Love
What You Get
Always On My Mind
On Your Own
Crazy
All About You
Only See You There
Too Late
Rocket
Lights Out (Radio Version)
Always On My Mind (Radio Version)

Line Up

Mani gruber - Vocals, Guitar
Jochen Mayer - Bass
Peter Diezel - Guitars
Alex Hotzinger - Drums