Band : Shortino
Album title : Chasing My Dream
Label : Metal Heaven
Distributor : Belgium : Rough Trade Benelux, France : Underclass, Germany : Soulfood, Italy : Frontiers, UK : Cargo Records
Release Date : 26/06/2009
Release : CD

For those of you who've been out there long enough to have witnessed the success and decline of Quiet Riot, this name might ring a bell.  As a matter of fact Paul Shortino started his career as a singer with Rough Cutt .
At the end of the eigthies  during a tour of Japan, Paul decided to part ways with the band because of internal differences about the musical direction.  At the same time Quiet Riot toured in Japan, and was in search of a new vocalist, after they let go of Kevin DuBrow.  At that time Shortino stepped in as their new lead singer.

After Quiet Riot, he started recording under the name Badd Boyz, and also brought out an album under the name ShortineNorthrup, as the name says it in collaboration with JK Northrup.

In the '90s he toured a lot with his own band, also through Europe, and released two albums, one of which was a live album.  Thereafter he released an album under the name Paul Shortino & The Rhythm Junkies.
But that's enough history.  Now let's focus on this album.  It was produced by Michael Voss (Casanova, Silver), who also played guitars on the album. Bass was handled by Doc Heyne (Biss), and other additional musicians were, amongst others Roland Bergmann (Mad Max), Michael Mueller (Jaded Heart).
Despite having the aid of a good producer, and some crack musicians, the album itself lacks some quality.  The songs are not that bad, and the performance of the musicians is top notch, the singer had a great voice, but what I do lack are some songs that step out from the pack, songs where you can say "WOW".  To put it cruelly this is all a bit bland, and could use some pepper to spice it up. Since the album lacks a real killer track, and also features no track that really stays in your mind, the score is not very high, but the musical performance and voice of the singer do save the day.

62/100

Erik Morren.