Michael Bormann - 2010 - Different

Sunday, 14 November 2010 11:08 | Written by Gino |

Michael Borman Different cd cover

1. Life Is A Miracle
2. To The Top
3. Think Twice
4. Somebody
5. Mr Rock 'N Roll
6. My Favourite Time
7. Breathless
8. Don't You Tell Me
9. Wouldn't Let You Down
10. Who Really Wants To Get Older
11. No Way Out - It Hurts
12. Was Mir Fehlt

Being a multifacetic artist, Michael Bormann is a busy man.

Best known as founding and long time member of Germany's melodic hard rock band Jaded Heart, while still maintaining involvement in countless projects (Charade, Zeno, Biss, The Rain) as musician, producer, engineer, songwriter... everything.

This year it's time for a his own solo effort, and except for a few contributions, Micheal did everything on this recording, a true 'solo' album.

The opening track "Life Is A Miracle" starts off with a knockout punch with a beat that will be burnt into your memory. This is one of those tracks Where you can be anywhere in the world and you will hear that beat in the back of your mind and start to chant. Good.

"To The Top" has the essence of a classic nineties rocker yet adds some classy piano and slicing guitar which makes this more than just a rock tune.

"Think Twice" is a subtle ballad with acoustics and keyboards that makes a sentimental journey through your thoughts. A Jaded Heart-style song. Very Good.

"Somebody", a simple song filled with acoustic guitars, has an american feel and good vibe.

I was expecting a rocker now, but "Mr Rock 'N Roll" is a little and insipid short fiddle, followed by "My Favorite Time", a cool melodic track, but lacks power and essence.

Luckily Michael hits us with some rock on "Breathless". This one is in the style of his last project Rain, with strong rhythm guitars and a nice solo, and the multilayered chorus works well.

Mostly melodic soft tunes peppered with some fresh rockers, "Different", as the title indicates, is not the usual material that you expect from Michael Bormann.

Surely he has put together all the stuff he can't do into other projects.

His voice is sweet and melodic here, a mix of Michael Voss of MadMax with some vintage Jon Bon Jovi for a good measure.