Coda is a new British/American outfit, destined to be regarded by the few that hear it, as an opportunity lost. I don’t like to stereotype, after all, with rock n roll anything is possible any time, so you must have an open mind.
That said, seeing the name Vince O’Regan in the production credits brings me out in cold sweat as my ears slowly retract into my head in an act of self-preservation.
And while I once worshipped at the altar of all things Sabu, vocalist Paul Sabu has long since passed his best and now resides in a raspy, gravely realm along with several other legends I won’t name here.
Coda also features CJ Curse on bass and Eric Ragno on keyboards plus Andy Pierce on drums.
And while I wanted to be proved wrong, sadly I’m not. Coda is another production death statistic O’Regan can add to his long, long list of (dis)credits – Alibi, Pulse, Legion, Eden, Bob Catley and Escape.
Loud and in your face (did I mention loud?) does not make a good production and as expected, this is another huge sonic mess, with bass parts so loud my speakers threatened to walk out; tinny guitars and badly mixed vocals; plus is Eric Ragno even on here? I can hardly hear his keyboard parts beyond a couple of background fills and some organ in Heat On Ice. The mix is that bad.
Vocally Paul does his best, but the voice is unrecognizable from the days of Only Child and it's at times painful to listen to.
Song quality isn’t much better. Land Of The Free and Use It Or Lose It are appalling and Den Of Thieves and One Way Love just sound like a mess, almost unlistenable.
Elsewhere most other tracks just blend into each other. There’s little light and shade here. The only track that holds any interest is One Friend To Another.
Not surprisingly, this is a huge mess and will really struggle to sell. Vince O’Regan needs a producer and Z Records needs a winner. Neither appear to be forthcoming and certainly aren’t on display for this debut album. I’ll be surprised if there’s a sequel.
