Talisman – ‘Besterious’ (1996) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Sometime during 1996, Jeff Scott Soto and Marcel Jacob were completely thrown for a loop when a best of album was released in Japan for their band Talisman. No one told them. The album was… More

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Talisman – ‘Besterious’ (1996) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Sometime during 1996, Jeff Scott Soto and Marcel Jacob were completely thrown for a loop when a best of album was released in Japan for their band Talisman. No one told them. The album was called “Besterious” and consisted of all songs that were previously released from the band. In response to this, Jeff and Marcel, along with Empire Records, decided they were going to release their own band approved version of a greatest hits compilation. It was called “Best of…” and it was chock full of hits plus a ton of previously unreleased tracks that any diehard fan would want to buy. I should know, I bought it!! We have previously talked about “Best Of”, so now lets go through “Besterious”.

As I noted, this was released only in Japan and there is only one version and it is on CD. No other variants of this album exist. It was released on June 12, 1996 and I have the CD. It comes with the prized OBI Strip and has 17 previously released tracks. Sometimes, a simple greatest hits is all you really want and if that is what you are wanting, then this will nicely fit that bill. The songs range from their debut album all the way to their 1995 album, ‘Life’. I don’t believe there has ever been a compilation released that covers their entire career. I think one is definitely needed.

“Break Your Chains” kicks off the album like it did on the debut album. It is one of four songs taken from that album. Jeff’s voice is like velvet as he soars through the verses and that chorus is as catchy as they come. It is a heavy song almost a cross between Dokken and due to the keyboards, Europe. The guitar solo is great with a slight flamenco sound before total shredding begins. It has all the trappings of that era that any 80’s rock fan would love.

“Dangerous” is a pure rocker. The “yeah, yeah” to start is right out of the Joey Tempest playbook. A song about wanting revenge for having his heart broken doesn’t come across too scary as Soto’s voice is silky smooth and angelic it is hard to imagine he is really dangerous, but damn it is such a great song. The guitar solo is dangerous and rips through you as they shred the skin off their fingers as fast as they are going.

“Just Between Us” is the first ballad we get and Jeff’s voice is so suited for this type of song. There is a great Jacob bass groove that drives the song which for me is a highlight. The keyboards are used for dramatic effect and not overpowering which is great. It doesn’t have much of the power in power ballad, but still a valiant effort. After the first 4 awesome tracks, a break was definitely needed to catch your breath.

Next up is “Comin’ Home” which was actually the first song written for the album, Genesis, and is about finding that perfect place that is a part of you as much as you are a part of it. The combo of Jacob and Akesson are the new dynamic duo of bass and guitar. Together they lay waste to all that hears them. It is a smorgasbord to the senses. This stadium sized anthem is loud and features metal riffs while maintaining that melodic sound with Sotos smooth vocals. Check out the solo as Akesson shows what he is made of with this one. You do get Jakob Samuels on the backing vocals so he wasn’t totally gone yet.

The first single off Genesis and a classic Talisman song is “Mysterious (This Time It’s Serious)” and it keeps the party going. This is also the song that inspired the name to this compilation. If this song would’ve come out 3 years earlier you would have an instant and massive radio (and MTV) hit. This Chic inspired song has some fun and funk that pays homage to them while still being a pure hard rock song. Jeff’s vocals soar and he has never sounded better. Talisman is the biggest showcase of the stellarness that is Jeff’s vocals. I think I’m making up words.

“If You Could Only Be My Friend” brings some more hot, sizzling, funky goodness. I guess when the main songwriter is the bass player, bass will be heavy in the songs and Talisman is certainly that. Marcel’s playing is so recognizable the minute I hear it, I know who it is. How many bass players can do that? This song is his showcase. The song is rick, textured and full of layers of goodness. Soto tackles the vocals with the veracity of those bass line. That chorus seeps into your ears and sets up shop to be sung long after the song is over. The guitar solo, with the heavy bass thumping along, slays and the album.

Then things finally slow back down with another ballad “All I Want”. The song is piano based which starts off with just the piano and Soto on vocals. The piano is actually played by Jeff’s girlfriend at the time Julie Greaux (Billy Idol & Axel Rudi Pell). The band comes kicking in and adds the power to the ballad. The song is quite nice with the emotive vocals that immerse you into the song. You have the obligatory solo and everything you want in a power ballad. It is a nice time to slow it down so you could catch your breath.

Another rocker with “Give Me A Sign” was originally a Matti Alfonzetti song that they tweaked the lyrics so Jeff could make it his own and he did. Matti was going to be a singer for Marcel’s band, but that didn’t work out. This is also the fifth song from ‘Genesis’. Not as heavy as prior songs, still a rocker though. Bumped up against the first half of the album shows the song is still good, but not as strong as the first half songs. Jeff’s vocals are melodic and strong, but the song itself is a little dull compared to the others. The saving grace is the guitar work by this kid at the end. It is stellar. But I still wouldn’t skip it.

The first song from ‘Humanimal’ called “Hypocrite” might be the hardest song the band has ever done. Jeff screams the vocals (and still sounds great), Jamie is pounding the skins, Marcel’s fingers are flying over the fret board as Fredrik lays down the most wicked solo.

One of favorite tracks ever by the band, “Humanimal”, is up next and musically, the song sounds just as savage as the lyrics suggest. It is hard and heavy with Jamie pounding away at the drums with incredible bass work by Marcel and the blistering guitar riffs and shredding by Fredrik. They attack the song with such brutal force that you are overwhelmed by the aggressive nature of the sounds, but you are engrossed by them as well. Jeff Scott Soto’s vocals are equally aggressive, but so smooth and melodic that you find it familiar and satisfying. It is catchy and you can’t help but join in and singalong. It drives that animal in you out in to the open.

Another killer metal track is “Blissful Garden” and it is borderline grunge with its darker edge, grittier tone until you get to the melodic chorus which will suck you right in. For me, ‘Humanimal’ is such a great album and that album could be a greatest hits album all on its own.

“Fabricated War” explodes next without any hesitation. The song borders on speed metal as Fredrik’s shredtastic guitar work is second to none. Marcel keeps pace and is equally as strong while Jamie is banging away at the skins. Jeff’s vocals are aggressive and so metal until the song takes a turn and slows down before Fredrik comes in lays down a wicked solo.

We finally get to the album, ‘Life’. First up is “Tears in the Sky” and it opens with a drum barrage and then Marcel’s bass comes in hard and heavy. Immediately you know this is Talisman! Jeff Scott Soto’s lyrical delivery is quick and hard. You get a bass solo first and then a guitar solo and I love it when we get both in a song. The song is powerhouse of an opening track. There is a long fade out which is strange as Marcel hates fade outs.

Then completely out of left field we get a cover song, “Crazy”, which was originally done by Seal. Totally unexpected and very much welcomed. Jeff loves those soulful songs and can run with the best of them, but he does seem a little restrained like he’s holding back. By the end though he does let loose. The make it their own instead of using keyboards to make all the sound effects in the original they are all done on guitar by Fredrik Akesson.

Some killer riffs open one of the heaviest songs on the ‘Life’ album and that is “Body”. There is a part in the song where we get what sounds like “Cool It, Cool It, Cool It” which sounds totally badass. The song is aggressive and a little funky at the same time. Another incredible solo by Akesson who is a total beast on guitar.

And then to keep you on your toes, they go back to the ‘Genesis’ album, but it is a live version taken from the album ‘Five Out of Five: Live in Japan’. “All Or Nothing” is an 100 mph rock frenzy. Jeff attacks the vocals and the band is giving their all for this polite Japanese crowd. Then Jeff says get ready for some guitar masturbation with the solo is a back and forth with the Bass and the Guitar before the Guitar solo knocks it out of the park.

And that is the Japanese greatest album ‘Besterious’. A typical money grab for a label, however, still so surprising that no one in the Band or their Swedish label knew about. As I said that the beginning, this is perfect if you want a taste of what to expect from Talisman. The “Best Of” album that Marcel and Jeff did release is better for the diehard with all the rare tracks and this one is best for the casual fan. Me, I like them both. Still, they need a new compilation that covers the ENTIRE Talisman career. My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars as I don’t care too much for chronological greatest hit comps and then I might’ve picked a few songs differently…maybe one more from ‘Humanimal’ rather than ‘Genesis’…although both albums are simply stellar.