Talisman
Cats & Dogs

“Cats and Dogs” is a Swedish AOR album from 2003, recorded in Acqui Terme because Frontiers from Naples is supporting them.

I've always liked Talisman, starting with their zoophile covers, with beautiful graphics. They make that melodic music but with guts that in the '80s sold perhaps too well, and which for many years now has been reduced to complete underground, except for the "Darkness" who for unknown reasons ride the wave happily and unpunished (for now). And for once, the exuberant duo leading operations within the band is not formed by the usual singer/guitarist but rather by singer and bassist.

When Jeff Scott Soto was young, he was the first, and best, singer of Malmsteen. Now he's no longer a boy but he's in shape, time has only improved him, even physically judging by the photos in the booklet. He doesn't show his "forties" at all, and to immediately underline this concept, he starts “Skin On Skin” the first track of the album by belting out three shouts that would make James Brown pale! He holds an amazing voice, and he knows it.

The other fellow who partners with him, Marcel Jacob, is the one who personalizes and distinguishes this group from all others of the same genre. He maintains a "knotted" and hypermelodic sound and style, never a pedal on the tonic, always working in the foreground, a more tireless and creative Billy Sheehan.

The other two musicians in the band are not just standing by, Fredrik Akesson is a well-prepared disciple of '80s guitar playing, he plays with taste and flair but unfortunately is indistinguishable from many other fine "axes" (like Reb Beach, or his compatriot John Norum). Still, the duel he engages in with Jacob is impressive, in a fast and swinging tempo "a la Speed King" in the middle of "Outta My Way", track number five.

The most beautiful chorus is instead in the seventh track, titled "Sorry", but there are plenty, Soto harmonizes his powerful and warm voice multiple times in irresistible melodic openings, often "loaded" with funky verses (hard-funky to be clear, as drummer Jamie Borger always "hits" nonetheless).

In the penultimate track (number 11) there's even a Metallica-like situation (almost), in sound and title: “Lost In The Wasteland”. The lyrics? Let's not bother, it's all "I've defeated my demons, now I'm ready for rebirth," essentially the usual stuff about how difficult it is to be loved and the many arduous challenges life reserves.

No ballads, the album pleasantly bursts with energy and vitality from start to finish.