If you’re well versed in the world of traditional metal and hard rock, then you certainly know the name Chuck Wright. While most famously the on again, off again bassist for Quiet Riot, he’s also held down the low end for Giuffria, House of Lords, Alice Cooper, and has lent his talents to more studio efforts than anyone can possibly remember (100+ and counting). Needless to say, it’s been a busy 40+ years for Wright, and while I’m not surprised it took this long to embark upon a solo career with his debut album, Sheltering Sky, I am surprised of the music within.
If you’re going into this expecting a traditional hard rock/metal/AOR affair characteristic of what most classic 80s artists put out these days, don’t. However, if you’re a curious listener such as myself, willing to give damn near any style a chance, Sheltering Sky has you covered. This 11 track effort leaves practically no stone unturned, unleashing one musical curveball after the next, yet without ever sacrificing cohesion or force. Yes, there are some tracks I appreciate more than others, but never does a moment go by that could be labelled filler.
The album opens on an atmospheric prog note with the instrumental “The Weight of Silence”, a song so mesmerizing that it appears again as a reprise to close things out. Featuring the talents of former Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian, this lush, dreamlike piece would ideally set the tone for a memorable prog/jazz fusion release…but it doesn’t, because before we know it, we’re hit with the industrial rock tinged “Army of Me”. Talk about a 180! Now while this prog influence does appear throughout Sheltering Sky, by no means would I label this a prog album, at least not in the traditional sense.
The same can be said for the underlying singer/songwriter sound, showcased on cuts as wide ranging as the country infused “The Other Side” and the Fleetwood Mac inspired “Cradle of the Sun (Lorelei)”. What all these acoustic oriented tracks have in common is that warm, welcoming atmosphere associated with the folk rock that dominated AM radio in the early 70s. But is this a singer/songwriter album? Not with songs as hard hitting and high energy as “Throwin’ Stones” and “It Never Fails”. These heavy funk rockers boast gargantuan riffs, flashy soloing, and thunderous grooves courtesy of Wright himself. A guest vocal performance from Jeff Scott Soto on “It Never Fails” is the figurative icing on the cake.
So what on earth is Sheltering Sky? It’s a rock album: an ambitious and adventurous one at that. By no means would these creative ideas have flown in Quiet Riot, but under the guise of Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky, they fly high and free. Perhaps that’s the secret meaning behind the album’s title. Despite having nothing left to prove, Wright continues to remain musically prolific, and will now continue to do so whether it be playing alongside *insert band here* or as a solo artist. It’s a win-win all around!
7 out of 10
Label: Cleopatra Records
Genre: Rock
For fans of: Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Mk. III Deep Purple