THE LAST ACT is an impressive Canadian band, because their same titled debut CD is filled with an unique own style of melodic hard rock. After the first couple of songs, I finally heard a band with a complete new sound that still is as melodic as most other bands, but this THE LAST ACT just throws in something that makes their sound different than all the other bands. Songs like "Skyships on the horizon", "Code zero", "The road tune" and "In the shade" are all great melodic hard rock songs and they don't sound like any other band. Well, maybe I could compare them with the first couple of SANTERS albums, but that wouldn't be fair as THE LAST ACT takes influences from all decades! One way or the other, this band is quite hot and I think they deserve it to be signed by a European label soon. There isn't a weak song on the CD. Besides the already mentioned songs, other favourites of mine are the midtempo "Dream's end" (impressive melodic guitarsound and a catchy chorus!) and the uptempo melodic rocker "State of mind". Check out their site at: http://www.thelastact.com and e-mail them at: elena@thelastact.com

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

This band was formed in late 1990 and I can guarantee you that their first release will be a blast! PICTURE PERFECT is playing the perfect 80s cheesy melodic rockstyle we heard from bands like BRITTON, DANGER DANGER, HEAVENS EDGE, FIREHOUSE, SINNOCENCE and early BON JOVI (first few albums). This is the kind of melodic rock that made us happy and enjoy all the good things in life. Just put the record in your stereo and sing a long with melodic tunes such as "Hold on", "Lady of the night" and "Walk away" (lovely semi melodic rockballad). This band is a definite hit for anyone into cheesy 80s melodic rock. I can't wait for the official release of PICTURE PERFECT which should be out very soon on the new American melodic rock/aor label Dreamscape. More info at: http://www.dreamscape-group.com

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

On the same melodic rocklabel Dreamscape as the first Picture Perfect will be released, we can also expect the new CD of JOE ROBINSON. Joe is coming out of New York and the nice thing about his music is the fact that he does everything on his own. The CD consists of 15 songs which already were put out on Joe's first two solo records, but this upcoming CD release will be the first official one through a recordlabel. Most of the songs sound pretty nice and can be labelled as quality 80s AOR/Melodic Rock a la 8084, NIGHT RANGER… The only negative points are the lead vocals and the sound quality. The vocals of Joe are not so powerful that we can speak of a sensational singer, it's just nice. Same goes for the sound quality and production. What you miss here is a powerful sound and a strong vocalist. On the other hand, the songs are pretty good, such as the AOR/Melodic Rockers "Heartache", "Tell me why", "Missing you", "Lonely street" and the best track of the whole CD, "Make no mistake". Not a sensational record, still nice to check out if you count Phil Vincent and 8084 as your favourite acts. More info at: http://www.dreamscape-group.com

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

KATHY TALER comes out of New Jersey (although originally she was born in Canada) and she sent me a CD single containing 3 of her own written songs. Musically she is playing a mixture of early 80s melodic aor/poprock and 90s rock. The best songs are the uptempo rockers "I never bled" and "Keep on track" (a very good song a la early PAT BENATAR). Recommended to fans of female fronted rock, check it out at: http://www.talermade.aboveme.com and e-mail her at: Lasters14@aol.com

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

This American threesome act and look like the GOOD RATS, Peppi Marchello's band and actually also musically they sound a bit like that New York band from the 70s (and now reformed!). The CD starts with the titletrack, a nice semi hard rock tune. The following two songs are pretty good actually. First there is "Shout out" (good 80s Melodic Hard Rock) and then there's the semi melodic rocker "Keepers of the flame" that also has a cool synth/keyboardbreak. I heard some VAN HALEN influences on the closing track "Sing your song". Not a bad band this BLOOD RED, although it isn't sensational, fans of 80s Hard Rock (read: GOOD RATS and VAN HALEN) might want to check this out at: http://www.mp3.com/bloodred and e-mail them at: scherr@pottsville.infi.net

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

OCTANE is an all original rock'n'roll band from Texas and they play in the truly original Texan rock'n'roll style which is pure Hard Rock crossed with some Southern rock influences, in the style of DANGEROUS TOYS, BULLET BOYS, JACKYL… OCTANE also played as a support act for these bands, so I guess they definitely fit in the right scene. Their CD 'If it ain't one thing…it's another!!' is filled with 6 cracking hard rock songs and it is a must to hear if you enjoy aforementioned acts.

My favourites are "All by myself" and "9 on a 10 scale". Check them out for yourself at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/181/octanerocknroll.html and e-mail them at: octane3@swbell.net

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

American rockers LONDON CALLING return with a new full-length CD called 'Fear'. A few band members left the band, but original leader Ron Cederlund is still there and musically they didn't change that much. A lot of styles can be heard throughout the CD, but as everybody knows, my favourite style is the melodic rockstyle which can be heard on the songs "Heroes never die", "You hold the power" (pretty cool keyboard driven AOR a la PHIL VINCENT, JOE ROBINSON), "The nightmare is through" (very nice 80s AOR chorus), "Please can you help me" (best song, great AOR/Melodic Rock with good lead vocals a la Alfie Zappacosta!) and "Stare at the sun". Some of the other songs doesn't sound bad, but there are also a few tracks that didn't caught my attention, such as the experimental pop/rock approach of "Time just a river" and "The man in me". Check this out if you want to hear something different while still hearing melodic rock influences. Website: http://www.mp3.com/LondonCalling and e-mail: kbplayer00@yahoo.com

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

MR. Z from Florida is based around multi-instrumentalist Zac Corner who sent me two CDRs and a Tape with all of his music he recorded between 1994 and 2000. I was told he was influenced by 80s AOR acts such as FOREIGNER and JOURNEY, but after hearing his songs I have my doubts. I must admit that I really liked the keyboards being produced on the foreground, but what I miss first of all is the use of the electric guitar, it's almost pushed to the background, so I can not call this pure AOR. Musically MR. Z is playing a very soft brand of aor/poprock and a lot of songs just sound too 'poppy' for the AOR fans. Songs like "Too many broken hearts", "One step closer to your heart", "Where there's smoke", "Headed nowhere", "Don't you call my name" and "Strangelife" are nice songs, but I miss the power of the electric guitar and the whole sound of the songs is not convincing. If MR. Z would add some more guitars and just give the whole sound a dynamic push and indeed change his sound into a FOREIGNER/JOURNEY style, we can all enjoy his music. For now, I think the material is a bit too soft, but if you want to check it out for yourself, here's his site: http://www.miditrax.com/mrz.htm and e-mail him at: mrz1@bellsouth.net

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

Do not confuse this CODA with the Mexican CODA or the American THE CODA. This CODA comes out of Italy and they have released two CDs so far. Their album 'Heaven' is a Nashville typed acoustic/country record, so not really interesting for the melodic rockfans. The other CD they released is called 'Medicine of love' and instrumental this is a very nice melodic rock/aor record. Only vocally it is not really sensational, and that is definitely not due to the fact that these guys are Italian, because their lead singer is called Richard Sherwood (English?).

Anyway, I am not saying he can't sing, but he just isn't suitable for this type of rock. He gives the sound of CODA a rawer touch, while the songs are still melodic enough for the AOR fan. The best songs on the band's CD 'Medicine of love' are the uptempo melodic rockers "Wait for you", "Secret love", "Just like mine", "Overdose of you", "I'd still do it all again" and the midtempo aor/poprocker "My medicine of love". The band also sent me a video with some of their songs and I really liked the professionalism showed on it. CODA is a nice band and if you want to hear them for yourself, then go to: http://www.codarock.net and e-mail them at: richards@tin.it

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

This is a Dutch band that was described as VAN HALEN meets LED ZEPPELIN with Metal and Symphonic/ Progressive influences thrown in to give the band an own sound. Musically they sound a bit groovy most of the time and not always as melodic as mentioned bands. Although the band doesn't mention THE CULT as an influence, strangely enough some of the songs on 'Visions' remind me of that band, due to the vocals of singer Rene Hurkens. The CD sounds pretty professional and sometimes the band really has an own identity that mixed a lot of Hard Rock styles. Maybe this isn't your typical melodic rockband, people who enjoy Progressive Hard Rock/Metal with a lot of groove and a non-commercial sound should look out for this MISCHIEF at: http://www.oocities.org/gnyboer/misbio.html and e-mail them at: gnyboer@planet.nl

Rating: 6,5/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

Actually, this CD is a Country CD, because only a few songs can be labelled as AOR/Poprock orientated, but most of the time MORGAN TYLER is playing pure Country Rock. Not really interesting for us, but the songs "How about you" and "Feels good to cry" does sound a bit AORish. Still I think this is taking us to a different path. The CD was produced by AOR hero David Mikael from the legendary MPG, and another thing I could mention is the fact that this is the first CD to be released in the year 2001. Furthermore, this CD is only interesting for die-hard country fans, more info at: http://www.morgantylermusic.com and e-mail: mortyler@hotmail.com

Rating: - (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

This band from the state of Indianapolis is formed around multi-instrumentalist Mark Coers. He wrote and performed all of the music in his own studio. Only the lead vocals are done by outsiders (Bill Colson and Thom Luther). I have to add that for an independent record, this sure doesn't sound bad, maybe it can not be compared with the big label recordings, but still the sound and production quality of the music on the CD is pretty good. The music on the CD has a very 80s meets 90s approach and sounds not unlike acts such as LIZZY BORDEN and MALICE, while some KEEL similarities can also be heard (especially in the melodic songs). The melodic metal of IMAGINARY PLAYMATE sounds rather good and if you're a fan of the mentioned bands, then this sure is interesting for you to check out. My favourite songs are the semi rocker "Blood on your hands" and the midtempo "In my chains", both being very melodic and featuring a catchy chorus. Check out this band at: http://www.imaginaryplaymate.net and e-mail at: mcoers@theinnet.net Last but least: I really like the CD cover!

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

THE SITUATION comes out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and their debut CD 'Born in reserve' is a must if you're into 80s flavoured poprock in the style of THE OUTFIELD and THE KNACK (remember these guys?). The band opened for STYX some time ago, so they already gained some live experience. There are 12 songs on the record and it's like if you hear one song you know how this band sounds. If you like that song, you'll love the rest as well. My favourites are "A girl like you", "Eye on you" (early 80s approach), "Solitary thunder" and "I got a girl" (very catchy indeed!). The band also sent me a new 2-track CD. The first track of that CD is called "All she wants is you" and is slightly different than the band's first CD. This song is a good lighter 80s typed aor/poprock song that reminds me of HAYWIRE and 1927. The other song ("High wire") is a nice poprocker in THE OUTFIELD style. Fans of mentioned bands will like this poprockband a lot I think. Website: http://www.thesituation.com and e-mail: mediam@sherbtel.net

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

'Twilight of days' is the third CD of the Italian Progressive Power Metal band ATHENA. They were founded back in 1991 and released their debut 'Inside the moon' in 1995. The follow-up 'A new religion' was released in the summer of 1998. And now there's the new CD 'Twilight of days' which follows the same route as the band's previous records. Fans of STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, HAMMERFALL, LABYRINTH and all the other well-known acts of the progressive power metal genre of the 90s can easily buy this new ATHENA record. This album is filled with the same style as mentioned acts are bringing us, so you get fast melodic metal tunes with a lot of progressive parts wrapped into. The production is crystal clear and most of the songs stick in your head after hearing it for the first time. The melody of the opening track "Twilight of days" for example is easy to sing-a-long and hard to forget. Get this record if you enjoy this type of metal!

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

This is Richard Marx’s sixth studio album that he has produced himself, featuring twelve pop/rock- semi AOR songs that are all gifted with Marx ‘s golden songwriting touch that cannot be faulted.

Best songs include the gentle acoustic based ‘Too Early To Be Over’ the catchy ‘Hazard’ sounding ballad ‘Shine’ and the Bon Jovi/ Stan Bush-ish ‘Someone Special’ with it’s killer vocal harmonies and dreamy catchy chorus.

These days, Marx is the male equivalent of Celine Dion, like most of his albums this one does have a lot of ballads which will send most people straight for the sick bag. However this is his specialty that shines non more so than on the slick and emotive ‘The Edge Of Forever’ . This song is a rather charming duet with female singer Chely Wright. On ‘One More Time’ Marx sings one of his most enchanting performances that will touch the hearts of housewives all over the world, Des O’Connor eat your heart out, lol!

Some of the songs get to poppy for their own good and feature dance samples, making the songs sound pants, I prefer it when Marx delivers AOR/pop gems such as ‘Boy Next Door’, and the gentle ‘Straight From The Heart’ which is the only track to feature long time guitarist Michael Landau. Michael Thompson supplies guitar on all the other tracks.

Over all ‘Days In Avalon’ misses the rockier edge that possessed his earlier records, but is still is yet another classy album that is sometimes a trifle to safe for it’s own good, hopefully next time he’ll rock things up a little for the older fans.

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Schpaybo are a hard rock outfit from the US fronted by talented multi-musician Steve Spirko. The material of Schpaybo rocks in a kind of southern boogie way a’la AC/DC and Aerosmith mixed with the melodic hard rock of Nightranger

This makes for an interesting release as the songs here are often catchy and singable, like track three, ’Won’t You Be My Girl’ which is so goddamn infectious it’s silly. Vocally Steve sounds across between Stephen Tyler and Nightanger’s Jack Blade’s, thus ’Won’t You Be My Girl’ comes across in the similar vein and is my favourite track of the whole album, hard to ignore and very catchy, ‘Won’t You Be My Girl’ is well classy.

Other good songs are track two ‘For Barbara’s Love’, this song like ‘Won’t You Be My Girl’ is very catchy and similar in style to Motley Crue, Nightranger and Michael Monroe, and has a sleazy edge to it.

Also check out the ballad ‘Fall In Love Eyes’ which reminds me of Molly Hatchet. ‘Stress’ is a weaker song with a silly chorus that doesn’t hold up against the likes of ‘Won’t You Be My Girl’, and ‘Out Of Time’ is another song with that classic rock vibe a’la Aerosmith and Ted Nugent.

At the end of the album there is a hidden instrumental piece that is pretty good, which is in the style of Ted Nugent and Slash.

Overall Schypaybo definitely have potential and most of the songs are fun and catchy but fail to top the class of ‘Won’t You By My Girl’ a song that I will be playing to death for the rest of the year.

WWW.SPEARCO.NET or email Schpaybo@adelphia.net

Rating: 7,5/10
Rating for ‘Won’t You Be My Girl’: 8,5/10
(Review by Nicky Baldrian)

SNOWBALL 'Snowball' (INDEPENDENT)

AT LONG LAST THE RETURN OF FEMME FATALE FRONT LADY LORRAINE LEWIS

New album

SNOWBALL
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
HTTP://WWW.LORRAINECAFE.COM
DISTRIBUTED THROUGH CARGO RECORDS IN THE UK

Snowball is the new project put together by former Femme Fatale leading lady Lorraine Lewis and guitarist Dave Hillis who is known for his work with Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and Blind Melon.

Together the collaboration really works; Snowball’s music is very indie sub-pop influenced and brings Lorraine smack bang into the 90’s.

It’s more Dalbello, Goo Goo Dolls, Blondie, Madonna, No Doubt, Samantha 7and Bjork than Femme Fatale. The sound is very raw and psychedelic, most of the songs come over fresh and exciting and deserve to be hits, check out the killer catchy power pop of ‘91’ and ‘L.O.V.E’, for example, the former is a big dreamy groove laden sexy number with dance flavoured rhythms a’la No Doubt and Madonna. Lorraine has matured vocally and she sounds amazing, this song could easily be a perfect choice single and a song that I can see the nightclubs all over the world playing – a potential hit single!

The latter opens with gritty guitar hooks from Hillis, this track is modern power pop a’la Enuff Z' ’Nuff and Garbage and is very infectious.

Another great song is ‘Paper Doll’, a heavier song that crosses the pop charm of The Bangles with the heavy grunge psychedelics of Garbage amongst others, but is much, much better.

Track two ‘Bends My Ear’ is a short and cool pop song which makes a star out of drummer Chris Collins, whilst the opening track ‘High’ leans toward Dalbello territory and is quite heavy pop.

The best songs however are without a doubt ‘Alcohol’, ‘Candy Pop’ and ‘Numbing Fields’. ‘Alcohol’ is a brilliant indie-tinged rock track with engaging smooth melodies and sexy Bjork influenced vocals from Lorraine, whilst the modern pop softness of ‘Candy Pop’ leans towards Madonna and No Doubt territory.

‘Numbing Fields’ is a beautiful song, graced with passionate vocals that this time mix together Kate Bush and Madonna style pop hooks with 90’s indie pop and dreamy rhythms, another choice single!

The only flaws that I can make out are the song’s ‘Indian Summer’ and ‘Loose Groove’ that I couldn’t quite get my teeth into. Other than that Snowball is a killer album that I know you’ll enjoy no matter what style of music you’re into.

Honestly you have to give credit to Lorraine for making an album like this. Despite the rock scene once again making a come back, it would have been so easy for Lorraine to release a new Femme Fatale, but instead she has gone with her intuition and made an album that she obviously enjoyed making. This was a daring gamble that she has pulled off with grace, as all the songs on this record will no doubt turn the heads of those who’d otherwise dismiss her as an eighties rock chick.

Snowball is a wonderfully influential album that I know you’ll all enjoy, and it looks as if things are starting to happen in the US as Lorraine will soon have a song featured in the fourth coming Harrison Ford movie ‘Random Hearts’. Now Lorraine how about some shows here in the UK?

http://www.lorrainecafe.com or order the CD from http://www.cdbaby.com or through Destiny Records http://www.destinyrocks.co.uk or Loud1 http://www.loud1.co.uk

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

After the dissapointing 'Ceilings And Walls' album, I was hoping that Malloy's new album would be a return to former glories but alas, 'Shine' is too soft for it's own good and leans towards the MOR/country vein rather than the sun coated AOR beast of a debut self- titled album that we all know and love. 'Shine' is defintley a very mature pop album.

Mitch is a cool guy and takes everything in his stride these days, when he's not churning out country albums, Malloy is hanging out and recording with the Van Halen boys and almost replaced Sammy Hagar. Even though Malloy recorded, but never released anything with VH one wonders if the collaboration could have worked given the uninspiring "3" album with Gary Cherone (ex Extreme).

Anyway Malloy then went about a pre-release promotional tour of 'Shine' earlier last year and flew over to the UK for a few successfull gigs at the Phoenix festivals, thus reviving his popularity and legendary cult status amongst the AOR brigade here in the UK and throughout Europe.

Live Malloy is very entertaining and his songs mostly pulled from that classic debut remain exciting in the live enviroment, as do selected tracks from this newie which is a half baked affair which sits along side the poppy charms of The Rembrandts and Nelson when it's good, and when it's bad takes on the semi-acoustic country road, a shame really as 'Shine' could really have been the full crispy sunday roast we were expecting, instead someone has forgotten to add the gravy, thus the album comes across dry and dusty.

The hook ridden 'You Lift Me' is very catchy and kicks the album off in the style of that debut album, whilst 'It's About Love' borrows it's riffs from George Harrison's "Cheer Down" and has a Cheap Trick style melody which works brilliantly.

'Draw The Line' is a semi-pop/country-ish ballad, this is a smooth song in the typical Malloy fashion. The tempo is then lifted for 'Love Made A Liar Out Of Me' a catchy AOR song, although this song is good - it's gets a bit too predicatble and safe and tends to drag towards the end.

Now 'Save Me' starts off with a boistrous drum solo topped with nifty guitar playing, now this is more like it, this song is power pop a'la The Rembrandts and Henry Lee Summer, it's a good song but once again the song fails to ignite the fires that we now Malloy is capable of pulling - the problem is that lyrically there's no substance in this song and like 'Love Made A Liar Out Of Me', 'Save Me' is a trifle lacklustre and uninspiring which is unfortuante as this could have been a killer song.

'Places Only Love Can Go' is another slowie which I actually enjoyed as the song sways with warmth and passion. 'Another Road' is power pop a'la Nelson, whilst 'Nothing New' is totally pointless, the duo of 'Love's Own Hand' and 'When I try' close the album on a high note in the style of the debut album.

Granted there are some good songs on this album and Malloy's singing is faultless, but the truth is that "Shine" fails to ignite the spark plugs that made his debut album so special and unique. A pitty really.

http://www.mitchmalloy.com

Rating: 7,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)