HOT NEW AOR REVIEWS
CONNERY FAIRE 'THE CONTRASTS OF LIFE' (BAY ISLAND RECORDS) CONNERY FAIRE is a band formed around lead vocalist Conni Whitley and multi- instrumentalist David Mikael (from MPG and DAVID). Together they wrote the 10 songs on their first CD. Musically it is AOR orientated, although not all of the time it is pure AOR. The fans of female fronted AOR/Melodic Rock can easily buy this, as this is a very good album in the style of the first two MARGARETH BECKER albums, CINDY BULLENS and CINDY CRUSE. The Best songs are the AOR rockers "I'm not your judge", "I went to heaven" and "Who cares?', although calmer melodic songs such as "My king" and the 80s funky AOR/Poprocker "Praise God" can also not be missed here. These are all radio-ready hit potential tunes and a must to hear if you enjoy the classic 80s Christian AOR/Melodic Poprock of mentioned artists. More info at: http://www.mp3.com/conneryfaire and e-mail at: Conneryf@cfl.rr.com Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
K.A.J. 'DEMO CDR' (DEMO
CDR) Swedish multi-instrumentalist K.A.J. sent me a new demo CDR that includes 4 tracks. Opener "How do you do" is a very cool uptempo melodic poprocker that brings back memories of the early 80s, especially the melodic guitarsound of the whole song. The song is reminding me a lot of the early 80s AOR/Poprock records of RICK SPRINGFIELD, EDDIE MONEY and BRYAN ADAMS. A song like this is bringing back the fun into rock'n'roll. Next track "Down down down" is simpler uptempo rock and basically nothing special. Following track "Winner" was first called "Loser", but as this sounded like K.A.J. found himself a loser, he changed the lyrics. The song itself is a nice rocker, but again not as good as the first track. Closing track of the CDR is "Lonely", a nice calmer midtempo AOR/Melodic Rocker. Another fine demo by K.A.J., more info at: http://www.mp3.com/k_a_j and e-mail him at: k.a.j@delta.telenordia.se Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
CHINAWHITE 'BREATHE FIRE'
(INDEPENDENT) CHINAWHITE are from Holland their first full-length CD 'Breathe fire' has been co-produced by TERRA NOVA leader Fred Hendrix. The album counts 11 tracks and musically it is a mixture of AOR, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock and some Metal. The lead vocals of singer Don Feltges are a bit raw and sometimes it works, but on the melodic AOR songs it doesn't always work and that's a pity, 'cause the songs are damn catchy at times. The start is a bit weak with songs like "Elevation ticket" and "In my mind", these songs show an experimental 90s typed Metal band, but from track four ("Foolin'") on it gets a whole lot better and pretty sensational! "Foolin'" is a damn catchy fun 80s typed uptempo melodic rocker in the style of ZINATRA and TERRA NOVA. The song also contains a cool keyboardsolo by keyboardist Rolf Vossen. This is definitely one of the best songs on the album and also the following few tracks are pretty good. "My one and only" for example is another good uptempo melodic rocker, only this song has some slight Party/Glamrock influences (due to the raw vocals). More keyboardsounds can be heard in "Changes", a very melodic song with some great harmonies. The AOR ballad "Permanent vacation" is up next and is the fourth track in a row that can be labelled as good quality melodic rock. Then comes the TOTO inspired instrumental "Infatuation". "Losers in the end" is a progressive rocker and not really something special. Uptempo Hard Rock can be heard in "No fear of the dark". Closing track is the instrumental outro "The entity returns". A lot of different Rock and Metal styles can be heard on the CHINA WHITE CD and although not all songs are convincing, still this band has a lot to offer and even the fans of AOR/Melodic Rock may find something of interest on this record. More info can be found at: http://www.dprp.vuurwerk.nl/bands/chinawhite and e-mail them at: chinawhite@tref.nl Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
707 'TRIP TO HEAVEN'
(BEDROCK RECORDS) 707 has returned to the scene, though not in the original line-up. The 2000 version of 707 consists of founder Kevin Russell on vocals, guitars, bass and piano, Denny Carmassi on drums and Don Bassey on bass. Musically everything has changed a bit and the traces of AOR are indeed hard to find on the new album, the fourth official album of the band. Most of the time we get to hear Bluesy Hard Rock/Radiorock with some influences of the earlier records, but a lot of times it reminds me of 38 SPECIAL on their last record. It's definitely not a bad record, because what we hear is decent quality rock music from long-time musician Kevin Russell who still can write a catchy tune, but fans of the band's earlier works need to know that it all sounds different and updated for today's rock format. Still there are some cool songs on the album, such as the classy radiorockers "Make up your mind", "Never say die" and "Trip to heaven", these are great songs that will please the 707 fans. Less convincing are the bluesy songs "All I ever wanted", "Cause and effect" and "Don't say you love me". Although I had hoped for a record in the style of the band's third record, this sure isn't bad either, recommended to fans of quality 70-s typed Hard Rock with a hint of 707's earlier Radiorock. More info on 707 at: http://www.BedrockRecords.com and e-mail them at: BdrkRec@aol.com Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
SAUCY JACK 'SAUCY JACK' (SAUCY JACK RECORDS) SAUCY JACK from California is a band that is hard to categorise sometimes, because their same titled debut CD contains both rock and popsongs and influences from all decades are thrown in the songs. Anyway, I rather first start with mentioning the last 3 songs. These are the good 70s typed melodic hardrock songs "Bedtime story", "Ankh" and "Ceremony". Songs like these are fair enough to listen to and sound a bit like APRIL WINE and TROOPER. But besides these rockers, the band takes us first on a different path with 60s typed pop songs like "Six months", "Say you do" and "Don't have a clue". Happily there are also some more rockers on the album like "Corner man" and "What would happen?". At the end you have listened to a CD that contains two different styles, let's hope for some more Hard Rock in the style of the last 3 songs on their album. More info at: http://www.SJ42K.COM and e-mail them at: SaucyJk@aol.com Rating: 6,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
EDGE 'EDGE'
(INDEPENDENT) EDGE is a band from Texas and they sent me a 3-track CD. Musically they play 90s influenced rock music with enough melody to please the melodic rockfans. The best song is definitely "In my head" which is uptempo and fun to listen to. The other two songs ("Where are you now" and "Body") both have a 90s rock edge. The band sounds pretty professional and they surely could be signed to a record label someday soon, it wouldn't surprise me! More info at: http://www.rockedge.com and e-mail them at: Rocknvh@aol.com Rating: 7/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
TRIAL BY FIRE 'EDGE OF IT ALL'
(INDEPENDENT) TRIAL BY FIRE is an American band playing an own style on their debut. The songs have a 90s approach, although things are kept melodic. Best song on their 5-track CD is the semi ballad Mask". The other 4 songs will be more of interest for a fan of 90s Rock. Check out TRIAL BY FIRE for yourself at: http://www.trialbyfire.net and e-mail them at: ClintRocksMD@cs.com Rating: 6,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) |
TIFFANY 'THE COLOUR OF
SILENCE' (EUREKA RECORDS) In 1986 Tiffany had a massive
international hit with her single 'I Think Were Alone
Now' which ironically has stood the test of time, now at
29, red haired Tiffany returns into the spotlight with
her first album in ten years - 'T.C.O. S.' proves that
she was no one hit wonder, this is a beautifully crafted
stylish pop/rock album produced by renowned
singer/songwriter TIM FEEHAN, who co-writes the majority
of the songs and also helps out with b/vocals throughout
the thirteen tracks, thus offering comaprisons to
Feehan's own solo material, whilst Tiffany's vocals bare
comaprisons to Amanda Marshall, The Corrs, Shania Twain
and Alanis Morissette, so the overall feel of the album,
is quality hook-laden power pop with a modern twist, that
should satisfy fans of all musical genre's. Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
DEFYANCE 'NIGHTMARE RECORDS'
(TIME LOST) This is a great album from Knoxville based
power/melodic metallers Defyance.There are nine songs on
this record which starts off with the rifftastic 'Turn To
Yesterday' which will keep fans of eighties power metal
happy, lots of guitars domiante this great song whilst
the melodic 'Shadows In My Mind' cross Iron Maiden with
Fates Warning. Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
GRACEPOINT 'SCIENCE OF
DISCONTENT' (NIGHTMARE RECORDS) Minnesota based band who play
eighties techinical thrash metal a'la Apocryapha,
Chastain, Metallica etc. I absoloutley loved the second
track 'Attriction', this is a very catchy song and Matt
Tennessen has a killer voice a'la James Hetfield, a very
punchy song with tons of melody and staying power topped
with dazzling display's of virtuoso from guitar shredder
Lon Kunze Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
EMPYRIA 'THE LEGACY'
(NIGHTMARE RECORDS) Here we go with another
interesting album from Canada's Empyria. 'The Legacy' is
the bands third album which is technically more diverse
than their previous offerings. Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
CAIN'S ALIBI 'SANCTIFIED'
(NIGHTMARE RECORDS) These guys come from Minnesota and they play majestic power metal with a twist of Alice In Chains influences. Tracks like 'Guilty Of Humanity' and 'The One' are layered with great vocals and axe work from Paul Miller, whilst the sensational 'War Gods' bombards the listener with killer bass playing and tasty neo-classical structured guitar work, here the band sound very very tight, unfortunately the rest of the album just can't compete against 'War Gods', not that the other songs aren't any good because they are, it's just that 'War Gods' is the standout cut on this otherwise great cd. The band are out touring this album which will hopefully include European dates next year, so watch out for Cain's Alibi. Recommended. http://www.nightmare-records.com or e-mail: info@nightmare-records.com or NIGHTDISCS@AOL.COM Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
TRACYLAND 'THE EMOTIONAL
ROLLERCOASTER' (INDEPENDENT) From Florida comes Tracy
Piergross who plays lighthearted acoustic rock similar to
The Corrs, Tanita Tikaraem and Liz Larin, with a hint of
Chris Rea. Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
DESTROYER '4 MEAN PIECES'
(INDEPENDENT) These guys are from Pasadena and
remind me of TKO, Keel, Lizzy Borden, Wasp, etc and even
though the majority of the song are good, the album
suffers from a weak production sound. Rating: 6/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
SWARM 'SWARM'
(INDEPENDENT) Swarm are the new band formed
from the ashes of eighties thrash mertiants Death Angel.
The band have slightly updated their sound to fit in with
the modern scene but also retain their thrashy melodic
roots which will satisfy the Death Angel fans. Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
TEAR MAGNETS 'TRIBUNAL'
(INDEPENDENT) Originally released as far back
as 1993 this album is a finally crafted power pop/rock
album set firmly in the mid-eighties and features twelve
excellently produced infectious songs such as 'Heavy
Loud', 'Man On The Corner', the excellent 'Lady In Red',
'State Of Shock', 'Walking', 'Unlucky In Love' and the
last song 'Day Tripper' all of which make for a great
listen, Chris Ellis is a very good singer and can sing in
various ranges and on some of the albums songs we get to
hear female background vocals which give the songs their
pop edge a'la Pat Benatar, Two Piece Puzzle etc..some of
the songs go in through one ear and out Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
ROBBIN DAVID'S DESTINY 'ROBBIN DAVID'S
DESTINY' (BLUE SPAWN RECORDS) US based band whose debut album
gets off to a bad start with 'Endless Sleep' which has a
groovy rock 'n roll feel similar to Poison at their
worst, a little better is the next song 'Miracles', 'Face
The Truth' and 'Don't Throw My Love Away' are infectious
AOR songs where singer Brian Taylor sounds pretty good,
the harmonies are addictive and both songs are actually
pretty good stuff a'la Nelson, VU and Terra Nova in
places. Rating: 6,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
LLOYD MINTHORNE 'JUST VISITING
PLANET EARTH' (SYMPOTIC SOUNDS) Solo artist from California who
plays sophisticated eighties power pop a'la Duran Duran
and Rick Springfield. Minthorne is a very talented
muti-instrumentlist and his songs are very enjoyable.
'Creation' is cool song with great lyrics, Minthorne
sings this song with a killer range, his skilfull
musicanship really shines, especially his synth work
which has an almost Japanese flavour to it, an excellent
song. Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
MOLLY HATCHET 'THE KINGDOM OF
XII' (SPV) Roll up my beauties to one show that,
thankfully, never ends. Sure, the personnel changes-to
the point where none of the originals remain, and only
John Galvin(keyboards, but not an original)remains as a
link to the old days-but the spirit, marshalled by the
ever excellent Bobby Ingram, remains true to the finest
traditions of this great band. "Heart of the
USA", gets proceedings under way, and is all
chicken-scratch guitars, Ingram ably complemented by
Bryan Bassett, a big chorus, with Phil McCormack growling
out a hymn to Southern pride like Danny Joe Brown caught
in a bear trap. It's enough to make you dig out the
cowboy boots again, and the honky tonk steel balled
swagger of "Cornbread Mafia" just emphasises
the point. Rating: 9/10 (Review by Andrew Paul) |
STEFAN ELMBLAD 'PROMO CD'
(INDEPENDENT) Stefan Elmblad is a new mutli
instrumentalist, his songs are blues orientated rock with
a slight contemporary edge. Elmblad's lyrics are quite
interesting but unfortunatley his vocals sit too far back
in the mix and needs a strong ear to understand as the
production isn't too clear, but that doesn't stop Stefan
from being a competent musician. Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
PERSIAN RISK 'PERSIAN RISK'
(INDEPENDENT) Before we start, don't confuse
this lot with the early eighties British band of the same
name, this Persian Risk play hard rock with a touch of
glam and psychedelic flavours a'la Saigon Kick, Ratt and
Guns N' Roses. There are five songs all of which are
enjoyable like the excellent 'Busted', the hooks are
fabulous and the chorus is dead catchy filled with Saigon
Kick influences, now and again the singer belts out a few
screams a'la Rob Halford which makes 'Busted' the best
song on the cd. 'Rave' and 'I Know' add in modern
influences which work alarmingly well, whilst the
excellent 'Poet Tree' again stinks of Saigon Kick
inspired harmonies. Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
707 'A TRIP TO HEAVEN'
(BEDROCK (BR -303) After a break of eighteen years
Kevin Russel returns to the forefront with a brand new
707 album called 'Trip To Heaven'. Back in the early
eighties the band had a hit with the song 'I Could Be
Good For You', and went on to tour with a number of the
big eighties bands throughout the US. Better still, go and
check out Hampton USA based hard pop rockers 707 instead.
This 707 are much better and their two track demo sounds
in a simialr vein to the Enuff Z' Nuff, Ramones, The
Beatles and Stone Temple Pilots and the band can be found
at Rating: 7/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |
AARON KRISTO 'BARE YOUR SOUL'
(PERRIS RECORDS) Over in Los Angeles you will
find a young 24 year old singer/songwriter called AARON
KRISTO who looks very much like Sebastian Bach. Kristo
performs strong driving hard rock similar to Bon Jovi and
Skid Row. Kristo has produced his debut album 'Bare Your
Soul' (avalable via http://www.perrisrecords.com ), himself,
and he's done a nice job. the sound is very crisp and
clear. The songs range from ballads to hard rockers with
my favourite songs being 'Heaven's Gate', 'If You Want To
Survive', 'Take Back Your Freedom' the title track and
the fantastic heart warming 'Broken Record' which turns
out to be the albums strongest track and features a
string quartet, cello and violins. Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian) |