Stephen
After returning from their victorious headline tour in Japan, Keel began to record their fourth album with Michael Wagener and this album was released in 1987 with "Somebody's Waiting" released as the sole single. Although the song has a good chorus and catchy riffs, I don't think it's the best of the album. Other on par track with "Somebody" is "I Said The Wrong Thing To The Right Girl", a great commercial tune and has a slightly catchier hooks than "Somebody". "Don't Say You Love Me" is played in the same vein and has a wonderful and infectious sing-along groove, and this track risen to be the best one here.
Keel is often compared to Dokken, maybe because both of the band share the similarity of laying heavy metal as their groundbase, bloated with harmonic shouts, high-fly screams, and coruscating guitar solos. "United Nations", "King of The Rock", and "Cherry Lane" are a good examples of spirit-burning and anthemic celebrative tunes. The affecting mid-tempo ballad of "Calm Before The Storm" is evocative and heartwarming, though at times felt pretty generic. "If Love Is A Crime (I Wanna Be Convicted)" has addictive hooks apart from its ludicrous wording. My only complaint is on the background chant that's mixed way too loud and somewhat overpowered the rhythm section.
Keel's eponymous album is an awesome piece of melodic metal with a huge commercial flavor and an essential heavy metal album of the 80s. Aside from Dokken, Keel can also fulfilled the hunger of Scorpions, Krokus, and Quiet Riot fans, so if you think you're fond of them and never heard of Keel before, this album is a great recommendation for you.