Brand new material for a reunion album.

Some of you may remember Vaduz from the 80s and 90s. Two albums, relentless touring but never quite getting the big break they were seeking, so after six years the band decided to call it a day and went back to small town, Mid-West America. Sixteen years and a couple of reunion gigs later we've got 'Better Days', a CD of all new material from the band.

I don't suppose there were many people actually waiting for a new album from Vaduz, but if you had, it's been well worth the wait as this is a little gem. The self-funded album simply oozes class from start to finish. Whilst there's no one classic standout track, there are no fillers either. Vaduz set the bar high with opener 'Working Band' a high energy rocker, and keep it right up there throughout. 'I Saw The Light' again keeps the pace going before title track 'Better Days' chugs along nicely before launching into the sort of big chorus that melodic rock was made for. 'Thy Kingdom Come' is the first of two ballads, before singalong 'Hey Yeah' picks things up again. Style wise, we've got a delicious mix of Loverboy, Giant, Sammy Hagar and a touch of the melodic edge of Dokken or Kiss. Vocalist Brian Wade Larson still has a great voice and a clean crisp production gives the band a recognisable sound. 'Lowdown Blues' is, as you'd guess, a classic blues workout and whilst there may not be anything groundbreaking here, it's just quality. Songs that sound familiar from the first listen without sounding predictable.

I guess a good gauge of a comeback album is whether it inspires you to check out the back catalogue; well this does and I have. Sixteen years on the band now have the experience and maturity that would have set them apart back then. And if the next year Vaduz are trying to fund another album through Kickstarter.com, we really should all be contributing.
I'm finished reviewing but this is still being played…

Ian Parry