I N T U I T I O N

TNT was one of many metal bands that started out in the raw early metal sound and as technological advancements were made in the music industry, they used this new equipment to its fullest to create sharper sounding recordings to go with the 'new' commercial sound they put together for "Tell No Tales". It was a step into a different direction for the band, and one that suited them perfectly. But as good as this was, they reached the peak of their career with the follow up, two years later in 1989 with the album, "Intuition", which now is a classic in its own right. Everything 'came together' with this release. TNT's melodic pop metal overall sound was expanded making it almost overwhelming and gigantically plush but with such thick, beautiful and flowing melodies. And when I use the term 'pop metal', it must be taken to another level, because unlike many of the other bands that were in the public eye at this time, TNT's music was completely free of the 'cheese' factor. Their songs were obviously in the 'metal' genre, but there were no raw edges, it was all smooth sailing, using tons of keyboards to soften up the sound, more guitar tracks than you can shake a stick at, and huge background vocals filling up the rest, with Harnell singing lead on top of it all. It was because of this that they were compared with Danger Danger and Europe, but TNT's sound was even more expansive and surrounding, and their music was generally easier to listen to than either 'double D' or Europe. With angelic vocalist, Tony Harnell's voice soaring on the tops of these songs, it made this album truly something special. Another legendary vocalist in his own right, ex-Yngwie and Rainbow vocalist, Joe Lynn Turner, helps out Harnell with the background vocals that show up in a really big way on "Intuition". Being a JLT fan myself, I can easily pick out Turner's voice booming out of the multiple vocal layers, making the perfect backdrop for the lusciously gorgeous vocals of Harnell to shine. Le Tekro's axeslinging also fits into each song seamlessly, never out of place and always a total joy to listen to. His soulful pieces are played straight from the heart, with solos that fly to the sky. Some of his best work can be heard on this album.

But without decent songs to record, the band would be nothing. Luckily, not only do they have the easy listening, melodic metal sound, they also have the songs to drive it home, with no detours on the way. Their songs shed light to the power within ourselves, be it the force of eternal love and devotion, or discovering the way to follow the voice of the heart. These are timeless classics that will never age, for such subjects to create lyrics out of, have been staples since the beginning of time itself. The production on the album is out of this world, the lower, softer, acoustic areas are sharp, crisp and clear, and the sudden changes between that and the booming layered sound are flawless. Even the present metal bands, ten years into this album's future, rarely can tap into this kind of sound, and even less are writing songs that come anywhere close to the pedestal most of these tunes have been put upon. Never have I heard a band that sounded like TNT, except for TNT themselves, and that is saying alot for their ability to stand out among the rest.

Tony Harnell simply sounds fabulous on this record. His voice truly is what I would imagine an angel from the heavens above to sound like. Breathtakingly beautiful and full of vibrato, Harnell has the perfect voice for singing these addictive melodic metal jewels. And gems they certainly are, with such classic tunes as "Take Me Down (Fallen Angel)", with its bang beginning and sweet happy pace. Lots of guitar darts around in the background. The keyboard runs are inserted in just the right places, giving this upbeat and joyful sounding ballad some variety, and keeps the interest up. Close to the end of the song, after the perky guitar solo comes to an end and fades back into the basic rhythm riffing, it all just halts except for a little synthesizer in the background, and superb lead vocalist, Tony Harnell's soulful voice, quietly beckoning, and as his last note fades softly then the background voices boom the main chorus and the music cranks back up until "Take Me Down" ends as a whisper in the background. In the same line as "Take Me Down" is "Tonight I'm Falling", with its main features being the beautifully delivered vocals, switching between being soothing verses and the addictive chorus that steps the pace up a notch, declaring the act of falling into love. The song itself captures the carefree, whirlwind euphoria feel of being captured yet set free by the passion of true love. The lush ballad, "End of the Line" is the opposite of "Tonight I'm Falling", painting the tragic picture of a relationship that is crashing down around and the desperate need to hold the pieces back together because "open your eyes, love never dies...". "End of the Line" is my pick of the album, for its slower pace, and its genius delivery to squeeze every ounce of feeling out of the musicians, and let the emotional impact that was intended, be felt on the recording. "Learn to Love" is another wild and free melodically delicious song. The chorus is repeated a few too many times, but that is the single drawback. And the rest of the album continues in this same tradition, with high standards set for song writing and performance, throughout the entire album. From the comically cleverly quirky, yet short, "Ordinary Lover", with Ronnie LeTekro singing vocals, to one of TNT's trademark tunes, "Forever Shine On", with its powerful vocals and addictive harder rock feel, this cd is fantastic from start to finish.