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FERGIE FREDERIKSEN
Any Given Moment

Frontiers (2013)
Rating: 8/10

For those of you who do not know of Fergie Frederiksen, well, you should be ashamed, because this mercurial frontman has been paving his way through the annals of rock ’n’ roll history with such revered bands as Toto, Survivor and LeRoux. Without a doubt, Frederiksen has one of the purest voices in rock, and that’s something that cannot be argued when you hear his latest outing, the 11-track Any Given Moment.

I was impressed with Frederiksen’s last offering, 2011’s Happiness Is The Road, but with Any Given Moment he’s upped the pace and raced off into the distance, leaving all competition in his path.

This is such an energetic and uplifting record that begins life with the vibrant ‘Last Battle Of My War’, which rides in on a cavorting bass and sterling guitar before those driving keys interject and Frederiksen’s soaring vocals reach the sky. There is something so crystal clear about Fergie Frederiksen’s voice, the sort of sound that rings through the ears and leaves a lasting memory as around him those sprightly guitars and bouncing drums add to his potion, which reaches its peak with that melodic and transmittable chorus.

‘Let Go’ is a more reflective number featuring a pensive drum plod which quickens with Frederiksen’s soulful whine. But where the album really takes off as a rock experience is with the smokin’ hot ‘Price For Loving You’ and the hooky sunshine glow of ‘Time Will Change’ as Frederiksen croons, “I thought we’d be together forever and a day”, which leads us to a synth-pop chorus which should, but sadly won’t, lead him to a massive chart hit.

Sure, there’s something slightly 80s about the feel of this record, especially knowing Frederiksen’s background, because he’s a master at those melodic ditties, and where would a slab of harmonious rock be without a token piano-led semi-ballad, namely ‘When The Battle Is Over’ – a stunning slice of AOR – which is as equally joyous as the upbeat rocker ‘Angel Don’t Cry’; a reworking of the Toto classic.

The production of this platter must be noted, and Alessandro Del Vecchio has worked wonders in the studio, bringing Fergie Frederiksen’s voice to the fore alongside those sublime guitars of Robert Sall, among many others.

Overall, this is an album to bathe in, such is its luminous quality, and with Frederiksen really stretching his voice to reach new heights I can see this as being the album to warm those winter cockles.

Neil Arnold

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