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A Rock and Roll Power Album: 'Running Games' from JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 - Album Review

Posted by Pop Deflators on

Recap by: Sarah Tijan

Album Review: Running Games from JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 

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March 8th, 2021  -   Running Games, the new album from JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13, was released on Feb. 12th to Frontiers Records. World-renowned guitarist Joel Hoekstra is no stranger to great music and great performances, as he has performed on Broadway, played alongside Cher, TSO, Motley Crue, Poison, and countless others as guitarist for Whitesnake- which you've probably seen him on guitar, or heard him play a time or two. Additionally, he has also released solo work, the latest being JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13's Running Games

Running Games is the sophomore work in which he added his picks for talent with Russel Allen on Vocals, Vinny Appice and Jeff Scott Soto to name a few. Running Games is a stronger, more put together album than 2016's release, still remaining true to Joels vision of what a rock guitarist should be.  If you are expecting to hear what you would from his current projects like Whitesnake, you will be disappointed. It's clearly Joel taking creative control and creating an album out of his vision. 

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The lead track Finish Line starts the album off, Joels guitar and Russel Allen on vocals create a rock and roll power album that takes you on an hour ride through some of the most well put together riffs, notes and lyrics; leaving you wanting and needing more. Perhaps I have a soft spot for guitar, but I think Running Games is a perfect combination of heavy and melodic with songs like Hard to Say Goodbye to Cried Enough for You to the heavier Finish Line and Take What's Mine. Every part of the album was crafted with the intent to keep rock out there, as a true Rock album, Joel and friends succeeded. 

Running Games Track List:
1. Finish Line
2. I'm Gonna Lose It
3. Hard to Say Goodbye
4. How Do You
5. Heart Attack
6. Fantasy
7. Lonely Days
8. Reach the Sky
9. Cried Enough For You
10. Take What's Mine
11. Running Games
12. Lay Down Your Love (Bonus Track)





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