Place Vendome - Place Vendome

review by Arin Vahanian        

          Just the other day I came to a realization: it’s becoming exceedingly difficult to define what a supergroup is.  Does a supergroup consist of talented musicians who experienced great mainstream success throughout their careers, such as the Beatles, Genesis, or Rush?  Is it a gathering of technical wizards such as Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force or Dream Theater?  Or perhaps it’s a project featuring members from highly acclaimed bands, which released one or two albums and then faded away, such as the Damn Yankees?  The correct answer, in this case, is none of the above. 

After listening to Place Vendome’s self-titled debut album, I’ve realized that a supergroup is a gathering of talented, but relatively unknown musicians, who get together and unleash an album full of classy, catchy, melodic rock songs that leave listeners wanting more and more.

          Place Vendome, comprising members of PC69, Vandenplas, and former Helloween vocalist Michae Kiske, has created an album that is a combination of hard rock, heavy metal and even pop, which, if given the proper attention, could be a huge mainstream success.

        “Cross the Line” blasts you with equal parts of melody and power, but also a cohesiveness that is riveting.  Kiske was nearly immortalized in his past work with German rockers Helloween, but here he sings with a passion and grace that even long-time fans have probably not heard before.  Uwe Reitenauer’s blistering guitar work melds with Kiske’s soaring vocals and fans get a rock song that flirts with the territory of heavy metal yet is so melodic that fans of hard rock cannot help but be enthralled.

        “I Will Be Waiting” is an even catchier, radio-friendly hard rock song that will have fans getting up and singing along during multiple listens.  And, just when you think it could not possibly get any better, you are greeted with the absolutely magical “Too Late.”  This song, to put it bluntly, will steal your heart away and fly off into the night.  From the orchestrated opening seconds, to the emotion-drenched verse, to the absolutely huge chorus, “Too Late” is the perfect rock song and just another example of why this album is so good.

         The next two tracks, “I Will Be Gone” and “The Setting Sun,” are a bit moodier and not as accessible on the first listen, but subsequent listens reveal more textures and surprises.  This is a sure sign of a supergroup, as the band can change things around and still come up with the goods.

        That being said, it’s all happy-go-lucky with the title track “Place Vendome,” a blast of rock guitar, keyboards, and vocals that will have you singing along almost immediately.  And as soon as the title track ends, we are mesmerized by the hypnotic “Heaven’s Door,” an acoustic ballad that offers some of Kiske’s best vocal work ever.  Turn off the lights, close your eyes, and be carried along on a ride through never-ending pastures, wide meadows, and by the time the interlude rolls around, you’ll be in melodic bliss.

        The band then goes back to rock songs, with “Right Here,” another track that takes a few listens to appreciate.  Starting off slowly, the song soon segues into a smooth chorus and the subtle keyboard work by Gunther Werno works well here, as it complements Kiske’s vocals.

          “Magic Carpet” will capture you immediately and never let you go, taking you on an adventure from which you will never want to return.  The hooks in this song are undeniable, Kiske’s vocals are captivating, and all the musicians play so well together that one is left wondering how much better the album could get.

            “Sign of the Times” ends the album just as it began – with a shot of power and melody.  This is an appropriate way to end the CD, and, even though this track is the weakest in the album, it’s still good.  The heavy beginning segues surprisingly into a piano-dominated verse, which then transitions into a powerful chorus full of harmony vocals.

            Traditionally, bands considered to be supergroups have satisfied some criteria established by either the listening public or record companies.  But few groups have actually come out and proven, by example, what a supergroup is.  And one of those bands is Place Vendome, which has seemingly come out of nowhere and given us a contender for rock album of the year 2005.  These are big words, but just one listen to Place Vendome’s self-titled debut will make you a true believer.