Great White
Elation

Haven't we been here before
Footsteps lead down to the note on the door
That says I can't stay here anymore.

Above is the opening phrases to the song Haven’t We Been Here Before performed by Styx 1983 and every time I listen to this album this song pops into my mind, not because it is similar to what Great White does but rather because of the lyrics in this opening verse of the song. I love that song which is one of the best ever by Tommy Shaw who probably wrote his best songs on the Kilroy album altogether, I do not love this album as much even though I have to admit that singer Terry Ilous known for his vocal duties with XYZ is brilliant on this album which is his first with the band.

But looking at american veterans of Great White’s twelfth studio album the singer is probably a hot topic after singer Jack Russell quit the band and then formed his own version of Great White called Jack Russell’s Great White and some throwing of pies ensued and some other boring shit when relations seems to have soured between former bandmates and friends. Well, that is what I have read while reading up on this band for this review. Not that I care about such things but it sort of was unavoidable as the Russell thing kept popping up but I who has no real relation to either him or the band can look at it with a fresh perspective and tell you wether it is good or not.

As I have already alluded to the main feel when hearing this album is the phrases that begins this review:
Haven’t we heard this before
Chorus leads up to a note on the floor
That says I can’t bear this anymore

I know it is not as well written as the original lyrics but it is what it is and I am no lyricist, and it makes no sense at all but how many song lyrics do? No this album feels quite tired, unimaginative and often quite boring which is an odd thing for an album that is named from the supposed euphoria this band had in the atmosphere. I feel neither elated nor euphoric while listening to this album although there are some highlights like the opening track (I’ve Got) Something For You, Shotgun Willie’s and Lowdown which happens to be a bonus track making the track count a dozen. I also think that Ilous singing on Love is Enough is worthy of a mention as it is brilliant making a dreary, dull, boring, sad excuse of a ballad into something actually worth listening to and his singing is the sole reason that anyone should or could bear the entire hour of songs this album offers.

Sure the execution is great and the skill of the band is undeniable but everything feels like done on routine and not because of great new ideas and inspirations. The songs are overall half decent but thy should have asked themselves when hearing them in the studio: Haven’t We Been Here Before. Blues rock the info says, Déjà Vu feels more like the correct genre.

Maybe for the most bitten of fans but otherwise there are much better similar album choices out there. I will now end as I begun with other bits of the lyrics from the song I have mentioned through this review:
You might think that it's hopeless
Beyond our control
But that's not necessarily so
Can't you see there's a chance
For the daring young soul
Who's finally learned to say no

Say no to repeating yourselves and no to remaining inside the box, say no to stagnation because this year this band celebrates 30 years and they do it as a band that has completely stagnated when it comes to creating music and they should take note of this part (I let you figure out what I mean for yourselves):
And I believe if we learn from the past
We'd say haven't we been here before
Oh, and I believe if we open our hearts
We'd find keys to unlock every door.