Joe Lynn Turner - Rescue You

With exploring my recent trend that's tilted towards melodic metal, preferably created and harvested during the 'glory years' of this golden subgenre which were situated roughly between 1984 and 1987, which afterward progressed into more cliche-ridden material that leaned more in the direction of rock n roll, than the plush, pop sensibilities that resulted in the years before, it is with little surprise that I get around to listening to one of the first albums that sparked my interest in the fallen angels of the 80s. This album happens to be Joe Lynn Turner's "Rescue You". Such a delicious blend of synthesizer brimming tunes, lusciously inviting vocals, all packed into beautiful pieces of work that have more in common with Icon's masterful "Night of the Crime" than the plain 'rock' of Joe Lynn's 90s solo albums. These songs are more than forgettable little rock ditties, these are an example of an enduring audible art form. Such emotion is expressed in these songs, that its easy to forget their age, and Turner's voice was at its peak, with a delivery that was more than just stunning, it was otherworldly. One of the major contributors to this ultra melodic, keyboard enriched musical enviroment, was most likely keyboardist Al Greenwood who was a keys player for none other than Foriegner, and to one who might not have the opportunity prior to listening to this, to partake in similiar mid 80s bands such as White Sister, Skagarack, Madison or Shy, would quickly drum up comparisions between the Lou Gramm fronted band and "Rescue You". Greenwood shared writing duties with Joe Lynn Turner for most of the gems awaiting within.

The album itself flows like magic, from the gentle mid tempo cooing of "Young Hearts" to the upbeat bounce of the energetic but rich with melody title track. This easy pacing, with lush, poppy songs, was to me like a sip of water to a dehydrated desert survivor. Bits of colour from Rainbow shine through the fluffy musical clouds brightly in one of the faster paced 'rock' type tunes, called "The Race Is On" or the entrancing lull of "Eyes of Love". But none of these songs prepares one for the fabulous plea for love in the passionate silken ecstacy of "Endlessly". Beauty abounds throughout, with various facets of emotion flickering in every verse and the sentimental chorus, with its promise of eternally everlasting love. Swirling keys and the gentle, yet driving, enchanting beating rhythm of the song, heighten the overflowing need to love and feel it in return. A euphoric musical statement, timeless and unforgettable, "Endlessly" is a classic if I have ever heard one. "Soul Searcher" is the other lasting tune, the overall feel speaking volumes where words normally could not, or could they? Some of my favorite lyrics from a Turner release are here, such as one of my favorite lines, "I don't know what I'll find, it lies behind the door to another space and time, the riddle is a metaphor without a trace of rhyme". Every word echos with unleashing beauty, formed to vocal perfection and sliding smoothly into place with the rest of this haunting song. With ease, I envision sailing through space and time with the stars sailing by, with other galaxies twinkling on the horizon, and somewhere during this celestial journey, the answers to all the questions of life and love are given shape and the meaning of living is made perfectly clear out amongst the stars. Pure fantasy, but the music of this song can easily take you there. "Soul Searcher" hints at a dash of exploration of elegance yet with a definite melodic/pop mid 80s feel and truly otherworldly.