SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOE PERRY – SWEETZERLAND MANIFESTO MKII

Joe Perry
Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII
Roman Records

Initially released in 2018, Aerosmith and Hollywood Vampires guitarist Joe Perry has returned with an alternative version of his fifth solo album. Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII features five entirely new songs, while the remaining five feature additional artists – including Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), among others – allowing for Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII to feel almost entirely like a new record.

Opening with “Fortunate One”, Perry, DeLeo, Robinson, and band dive headfirst into a swerving blues rocker driven by a relentless swagger. Sitting perfectly between Aerosmith and The Black Crowes, Perry and Robinson’s performance will leave you longing for a collaborative album between the blues veterans. The album opener is a fantastic track with Robinson vamping in traditional fashion, spouting melodies with ease while Perry rips a series of flowing lead lines. The following track, “Quake”, features Extreme’s Gary Cherone for a more straight-ahead rocker reminiscent of the ‘80s. While not quite meeting the energy of the opening song, Perry shines, a needless reminder as to why he’s one of the greatest guitarists of the classic rock era.

Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII certainly rocks harder than its original release. Despite this, however, it is on the more bluesy numbers that truly justify this alternative take on Perry’s 2018 record. “I’ll Do Happiness”, featuring Terry Reid, the Perry led and riff heavy “Time Will Tell”, the psychedelically acoustic “I Wanna Roll”, featuring David Johansen, and the climatically closing “Won’t Let Me Go”, the third track to feature Reid on vocals, are all genuine highlights among this record.

Perry once again soars with another great latter career release. The fact that Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII is just an alternate version of the original is puzzling, however. The record features five all new songs besides five that were originally released – albeit with new guest features on them – which begs the question, why couldn’t this be an entirely new album with ten all new songs? While there is plenty to enjoy on Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII – by all standards, this is a great rock record – it feels like a half step. Had this been an entirely new record, I am certain that it would have been a much more exciting and fresher affair, instead, the album loses some of its thrill for rehashing what Perry has already done. Despite this, there is no denying Perry’s greatness as both a songwriter and guitarist. With Aerosmith embarking on their farewell tour later this year, here’s hoping Perry plans on hitting the studio for an all-new solo record.

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