(Melodic Hard Rock) Emergency - Boys Will Be Boys (Remastered 2005) - 1993, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Background
Not to be confused with the Dutch band of the same name and same musical persuasion. Nope.. These boys hail from Switerzland, though lead singer Jose Antonio Manzano found fame earlier in his homeland Spain, singing with the likes of Banzai and Zero. Both outfits garnering a heap of fans through that part of the world. Manzano's vocals are superb on this 1993 release, coming off like a cross between David Coverdale era Whitesnake, Johnny Gioeli (Hardline) and Black Sabbath's Tony Martin. Though the band come from Switzerland, they should not be lumped into the same categories as Krokus, China or Gotthard. Each of those bands have their own identity, as do Emergency, who tend to display a lot more variation in their musical approach. There is a heap of powerful guitar flurries on this album courtesy of one Pierre Borden. In fact it probably has more guitar than keyboards which would please a majority of people. However, when required, the ivories provide the color in a sparing way, not a dense overload as most European bands tend to do. The production is top-notch, as can be expected from the Swiss, particularly from one Rene J. Zingg (who?). Overall, the band come across like a heavier version of Treat meeting Dutch favorites 1st Avenue.
The Songs
Lets rip into then shall we? The title track gets us underway, and though the mid-paced anthem takes a while to warm up, it gets there in the end. However I feel the band should've started with another tune. 'Movin' probably is the closest to their Swiss counterparts. Think an aggressive mix of Hardline, Gotthard and Bam Bam Boys and this is what you'll get. 'Don't Look Back' (no not the Boston classic) features some jagged guitars, OTT keyboards and some fantastic vocals from Manzano. The sole ballad on the album 'Nights Are So Long' is an exquisite piano based effort, and a band with this much class pulls it off with ease. We are back to racy melodic hard rock with the terrific 'Give It Up', complete with wicked riffy guitars and pulsing bass-lines. It is this style that Emergency do so well at. Even on 'Tell Me', you'd swear you were listening to a Scandi outfit! Just when you were getting over that effort, the last four tracks are enough to blow you away for good, so good are they. 'Talkin' Bout Love' is similar to 'Give It Up'.. Racy, and so melodic and powerful. Then the big keyboards get all the attention on 'Never Stop Lovin' You', particularly on the choruses, which are harmony rich. 'Love Shot' comes at you with superb riffing, sassy attitude, and Scandi-approved keyboard parps. Yeah this is good! Not to be outdone, the closer 'Walk In My Shadow' exits the building with flames shooting out the door, such is the musical heat generated by this lot.
In Summary
It is a pity that that this album found a release during the lean years of grunge. 1993 was not a great year to be releasing music of this quality. However, the album has just been given a 2005 shot-in-the-arm through AOR Heaven, with 1000 copies now available as a remixed and remastered affair. For serious AOR rockers this is as they say in the trade.. 'a keeper'. Damn good. And keep that name ready as freddy steady in the back of your mind.. And that is Jose Antonio Manzano.. A certain vocal talent if ever I've heard.

Jose Antonio Manzano - vocals
Pierre Borden - guitars
Thommy Patrick - keyboards, backing vocals
Ronny O'Riot - drums
Andy C. Vale - bass