New Music Review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO ‘Complicated’

JEFF SCOTT SOTO 'Complicated' - Cover Photo

Rating: 9 / 10 Stars

JEFF SCOTT SOTO is: Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Fabrizio Sgattoni (guitar), Alessandro Del Vecchio (bass/keyboards), Edu Cominato (drums)

REVIEW – Jeff Scott Soto’s eighth studio album, ‘Complicated,’ is scheduled to be released on May 6, 2022. Soto collaborated with producer and composer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Revolution Saints, Edge Of Forever) to create ‘Complicated,’ as he did with his last studio album ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland).’ ‘Complicated’ is arguably Jeff Scott Soto’s best album since ‘Damage Control.’ It has a Talisman as well as a W.E.T. (Jeff’s band with members of Eclipse and Work of Art) vibe to it, but at the end of the day, it still feels like Jeff Scott Soto.

Jeff Scott Soto has released more than 60 albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists. As a consummate professional, he has distinguished himself as a master in a wide range of musical genres, including metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and funk. It has been nearly three decades since he began singing with legendary guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen, before joining bands like Talisman, Soul SirkUS, Sons of Apollo (with Billy Sheehan, Mike Portnoy, and Derek Sherinian), and he continues to be a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He was also the lead singer of Journey for a brief time.

Soto’s debut solo album, ‘Love Parade,’ came out in 1994. It was quickly followed by the critically praised ‘Prism,’ in 2002, ‘Lost In The Translation,’ in 2005, ‘Beautiful Mess,’ in 2009, ‘Damage Control,’ in 2012, ‘Retribution,’ in 2017, ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland),’ in 2020, and ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1,’ (2021).

Complicated’s opener, “Last To Know,” is a hard-edged rocker with pounding drums, soaring vocals, and thumping bass. The second song, “Disbelieving,” is sure to have everyone rocking out and singing along. The next tune, “Home Again,” is a head-banging, fist-pumping, melodic metal masterpiece that has screaming guitar leads and soaring vocals. The following tune, “Love Is The Revolution,” will have you completely engrossed in your emotions. “Until I See You Again” is a standout track, because to the stunning vocals and mesmerizing melody. The album’s title track, “Complicated,” is a rousing rocker that’s sure to get the crowd moving.

The song “Don’t Look Back” follows, and it’s a banger that will linger in your head for days. With “New Horizon,” the band takes the listener on a swift musical voyage. The following song, “Back To The Beginning,” has enticing guitars, thumping bass, hammering drums, soaring vocals with searing leads. The following tune, “Thank You,” is guaranteed to have people reaching for lighters and holding them high as emotions flood their hearts. As a finale, “Obsession” is an energetic, fist-pumping, head-banging rock anthem.

Soto is a star performer with a strong presence. In addition to his rocking prowess, he has a strong vocal range that allows him to quickly switch between epic ballads and loud rocking tunes. This incredible album is not one to be missed!