Tim Ripper Owens- Play My Game

Hi all, A lot of people a probably going to hate me here, but here is my review of Ripper's new solo album






Tim Ripper Owens - Play My Game





68-100





With a very heavy
heart I write this review. “Play My Game” was one of the albums I was
anticipating to be great this year. Well sadly & I mean very sadly I was
wrong. With such an array of guests on “Play My Game” including.


Guitar - Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS), Carlos Cavazo
(RATT, ex-QUIET RIOT), Craig Goldy (DIO), Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE,
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT), John Comprix (BEYOND
FEAR, RINGWORM), Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE), Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE), Jeff
Loomis (NEVERMORE), Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)



Bass - Marco Mendoza
(ex-WHITESNAKE), Billy Sheehan (MR BIG, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH), Dave Ellefson
(ex-MEGADETH), Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT), James Lomenzo
(MEGADETH), Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER), Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR)



Drums - Simon Wright (DIO,
ex-AC/DC), Vinny Appice (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO), Ray Luzier
(KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH), Bobby Jarzombek (SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT, HALFORD), Now
you would think this would be a super project from hell. But that is where the
problem lies. The music on “Play My Game” is very boring and played with no
passion. To my ears, it sounds like all the guests, especially the guitarists,
are just there as hired guns. Nothing jumps out at me and say’s listen to me;
“I’m the best smurfing song you have heard”. Basically the music sucks big time
and has a very modern day US metal sound (Disturbed, Bullet For My Valentine)
and never gets out of second gear. There are a few killer solos but nothing
that will save “Play My Game”




Ripper puts in a stellar vocal performance on “Play My
Game” very nice and clean vocals with a little bit of use with filters and
stuff. “The Cover Up & “It Is Me” is the best I have heard Tim sing &
scream. I really did want to like “Play My Game” and have listened to it for
the last week non stop, waiting for that sucker punch to hit me. But it never
did!!! I just wish Ripper would do another Beyond Fear album. Now that thing
shits all over “Play My Game” Very very disappointing

www.powerofmetal.dk

I've only heard the tracks on his myspace; but they seems very AOR-ish.

haven't heard it yet, but i have low expectations for it.

It's out next week. I'll pick it up for sure.

He's a vocalist but not a songwriter.

Yeah it is quite boring. He has some great vocal parts and sometimes the musicians are kicking some ass, but there's nothing memorable. The guy should really concentrate on Beyond Fear.

He's trying to diversify his porftolio to make maximum $$$$.

Not that I blame him.

I have heard most of the album at this point, I like it. I will be buying it, I am a fan of Tim's vocals. I own all of the albums he has been on except for the live Priest album.
Here is my take, if you want guitar solos with Tim's vocals, this album is not for you go buy the Malmsteen album with Tim on it.
If you want Beyond Fear, sorry this album is not for you.
If you want the epic Iced Earth solos and story lines, this album is not for you.
If you want Tim in Priest or Winters Bane, you may like this album.
If you are looking for stellar performances from the guests on this album, you need to by one of their solos albums or buy an album from the band they are in.
But if you are looking for Tim "Ripper" Owens vocals on a good album without a lot of fake bells and whistles, and tricks. This album kicks ass. I like Tims vocals and it is good he is trying to make his place so far none of his previous bands have really worked out, and Malmsteen is a revolving door, who knows Malmsteen may have already replaced him, or he may be back for an album or two. Ripper needs to make his place. My only complaint on this album is I wish he would have included the King Diamond song he did for the Road Runner United concert.

I've loved the samples I heard on his Myspace page!

i got it but don't listen.

I agree with most of Ben Grimm said, however I think the bass work on track 7 is outstanding and I thought a lot of the solos were well crafted and not just wankfests.

My biggest complaint about this is that a lot of the vocal melodies sounded very similar, not many surprises here at all. But its all well done.

I will be picking this up if I find a good deal on it.

I liked the samples too so I will hold out to give a more complete listen. I do wish he'd release another Beyond Fear as that ruled.

On my third spin this morning and its really jumping out at me. I think I like this better than Beyond Fear.

remind me sound of Bruce Dickinson, Tony Martin and Roba Halford. solo projects. not bad actually. some songs are weird but not bad. rather say a little a very little better than new album of H&H. but time will show us if i'm right.

I think it kicks butt, it definately has a Dickenson vibe to it. I like the songs, even the weirder ones they are interesting.

Eddie Trunk (you know, Ace Frehely's friend) had the entire album streaming on his website the other night. I listened to it 2 or 3 times while I was doing other work. Honestly, nothing really stood out and grabbed me. It just sorta became background music. I'll probably still pick this up at some point, but it's not a "must-have" right now, which kinda disappointed me considdering the considerable talent involved. I really wanted to like this, but it just seemed ok.