The Vow

Reviews For "The Vow"

Love LNJ... great concept album.
by tombie on 4/5/2014

Liberty N' Justice (LNJ) have been together for over twenty years and have put out some of the most amazing, star-studded rockers ever!! With names like Michael Sweet, Jamie Rowe, Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Stephen Pearcey (RATT), and tons more, LNJ were in a league by themselves. Well, I am sad to say that LNJ are hanging up the guitars and saying goodbye, but not without leaving us another amazing gem to keep us going for a little while longer, "The Vow". This album is a little different in that it is an actual full band made up of founder Justin Murr on bass, long-time LNJ contributor JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ) on guitar, David Cagle on vocals, Eric Ragno on keys, and Michael Feighan (Whitecross) on drums. The album does feature some background vocals from Gunnar Nelson (Nelson), Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge), Fergie Fredrickson (Toto), and Louis St. August (MASS). "The Vow", LNJ's 15th studio album and first band album since 2000, is a concept album. It's a story about the relationship between a man and a woman, from falling in love to falling apart

"She said I need more than just a kiss, so let's get it right... forever starts tonight" is the first line from the first track, "Forever Starts Tonight". This song touches on the couple falling in love. The woman wants more than a kiss, she wants a relationship and the man says, "I'll be there for you". Musically, this is another great LNJ tune with the help of Gunnar Nelson (Nelson) on vocals. Great harmonies and the song has a nice driving beat and Cagle's vocals have that nice classic hard rock sound with all of the great production behind it. Great song.

"For Sure Thing" touches on the part of the relationship where compromise is tested and differences become more upfront than when the relationship first started. The song is a nice mid-tempo foot stomper with great lead guitar work and features Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge) on background vocals. Another great song with nice hooks.

The next track is called "Honeymoon Is Over", featuring Richard Kendrick. This song is about the part of the relationship that many of us that have been in a long relationship have went through at one time or another. This song is slower and has a seriousness about it. This subject is real life and many relationships end here. Again, LNJ perform this song the only way they know how, with greatness. I enjoyed this song's groove and message.

"That's Gonna Leave A Mark" is a harder rockin' tune. This song discusses the pain of a relationship falling apart. "That's gonna leave a mark like a slap in the face, that's gonna leave a mark, like a kick in the teeth..." Musically, this song rocks! Cagle's vocals are so refreshing and raspy. I love the classic hard rock style of this song, brings me back to a time when metal flowed like water and hard rock was done right... awwwwww.

OK, next song. "Gone" is about the woman leaving and the regrets that the man has for not treating her right. He turns to who he should have been facing the whole time, GOD. He is determined to get her back. This is another harder rocking tune full of emotion and passion, the way rock is meant to be played.

"Everynight She Cries" is the next track and is about who is to blame. The man questions why she left and that it cannot be him. He is in denial that it is over but quickly realizes that it is and that he really is to blame. Great rockin' song with a nice driving beat. With all of the great vocals and guitar work, it just seems fitting to mention that Justin's bass work, Eric's keys, and Michael's drumming are excellent. The band just works and sounds so nice together and each song just hits you as a whole. When I listen to a song with a shredder like Chris Impellitteri, or a song that features a big drummer like something from Tourniquet, they seem to grab your attention from the rest of the band, but LNJ is so talented in all areas that you meet the entire song head on. Love it!

The next song is called "Promises To God." It is more balladic and starts off with some nice key work and features background vocals from the late Fergie Fredrickson (Toto). This song reflects on the pain that the man is feeling and how he realizes how much he loves her; he is not ready to say that it is over.

"Pucker Up", featuring Richard Kendrick, is about the couple getting back together. He wants it to be back to what it was now but she is in no hurry. "I tried to get back in the groove, so I waited for the make-up move..." Another great song full of groove.

The next track "Sting Of Her Kiss" is another great mid-rockin' tune and features Louis St. August (Mass). The man is realizing that she is no longer in love with him. The album started off with the woman wanting more than a kiss. The man seems to think more about the kiss... hmmm. Great shred work from Mr. Northrup.

"Two Or More" is an acoustic ballad. This song hits on Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The lyrics are amazing and fitting. It is the realization that Christ was missing from the relationship. They had the formula to have Christ in their midst but forgot one major ingredient; being gathered together in HIS name. Wow.... nice.

"Another Goodbye" is about the man wanting another chance. "So don't give me, give me another goodbye; Girl just give me, please give me another try..." Another great mid-tempo tune where the lyrics grab you. You can feel the plea of desperation in the song... very emotional. Love it.

The final track is "Prince Charming In Disguise" and features Gunnar Nelson. This is a piano driven tune where the man is courting the woman the right way with the right direction in mind. This song is softer but the lyrical content calls for it and they nailed it.

Overall, this album is my favorite LNJ album and that is saying a lot. I am a child of the 80s, so classic hard rock and metal flows through my veins. LNJ has featured some of my all-time favorite vocalists, but this album has more than that. It has flow, it has real-life subject matter. Amazing! From the vocals to the production, from the guitar work to the song writing... simply amazing!

This album is definitely one of my favorite releases this year. I highly recommend it.