Reviews

• Review Metallian
  
  Commercialism or popularity has rarely been an indicator for quality though and Under Construction should be judged on its own merit.
  Schugar/Schenker is a demo project and collaboration of previously unknown singer and guitarist Amy Schugar and erratic axeman Michael Schenker. The eight songs, with titles like High Cost, Love & Danger and Victim Of The System, range in direction from AOR to rock to pop and hard rock. The quality of the songs is generally good, although a couple of misgivings are in order. The demo CD begins with one of the poppier and weaker tunes called High Cost. In contrast, it is the CD's closer, Victim Of The System, which takes the cake, for quality, among the songs. Schugar concentrates on her vocals, but does kick in with her guitar here and there. Schenker sticks to a mix of acoustic and electrical guitar playing and only lets rip on a couple of occasions. This is the other problem with this CD. Listening to Michael Schenker letting loose once in a while is such a tease. He evidently still has it in him to work his magic with the best of them. Why be so conservative then? Guitar fans will find some great work on All I Got, at the end of Love & Danger and on Victim Of The System. The more vocally-inclined will get their kicks on the aforementioned Victim Of The System (Victim Of Illusion part II?).
  
  Under Construction is obviously not a return to top form and to the days of One Night At Budokan, but that was never a consideration. Having said that, this demo is an above average release and substantially better than much of Michael's more recent work. Get this by heading over to www.amyschugar.com or by writing to P.O. Box 84424, Phoenix, AZ. 85071-4424 USA. - Ali "The Metallian"
  
  regards
  
  Metal 'til death,
  
  Ali "The Metallian"
  Editor for www.metallian.com