I can´t really get into this stuff... this is not bad, it just doesn´t click. It´s probably too hard rocker for my taste and the memorable melodies are so hard to find that I think I am going to give up. Don´t get me wrong there´s an explicit musical quality in this release and Ken Tamplin´s vocals are awesome but the final result in not catchy at all. I personally think that Ken´s last solo release "Brave days of all" is a much recommendable release than this "Shout Back". There are many bluesy hard rock tunes like "Dreams for Sale" (that reminds me a little bit to Lenny Kravitz with a melodic refrain) or "I just want to celebrate" also included in the "BDOA" cd. Some of the tunes sound really raw and contain hints of modern rock, take a listen to "Y2K" as an example or the funky "Sometimes it just hurts". For me, the best moments of this release come at the second half with the softer tacks like "Seeing is Believing" wich has a good chorus and also "I´m Movin´On". Probably it´s when the guitars let Ken´s voice breathe that this record gets to shine. It´s a pity that this happens so rarely .

Shotgun Symphony were almost dead for the world of AOR due to a failed attemp of sounding modern AOR, a musical adventure that nobody seemed to like....well, I actually enjoyed some of the tunes (!!)... but the majority of us who were lucky enough to grab a copy of their debut album know that this was not the band and their best, that's for sure. So that lead us to 1999 and where is the band now?? That´s a good question. After the celebrated Intruder cd (which included some of the members of the band), Shoygun Symphony have definetly come back to the AOR field though this is not instant AOR tunes but something more elaborated, pomp at times and excellent in some parts. To be honest, these guys remind me a little bit to Prophet. The cd sounds really good and I would specially recommend tracks like "SOS", "Between the Eyes" od "Believe in Me". Thought not the entire album is good-quality stuff this is close to the grade A. It´s going to be good to see them at the GODS'99.

Act come from Sweden and practice a highly appealing mix of AOR and Progressive rock in the vein of Dream Theater´s "Images and Words" or the Quest , Saga... You know what I mean, truckloads of virtuosity and impressive layers of pompish keyboards ... actually the keyboards rule (though not as preeminent as in a Cairo cd) and they add a melodic touch that will make this cd appealing to lovers of AOR and not only a prog-fans product only. The vocals remind me sometimes to Bad Habit´s Bax Fehling not only because of the Swedish accent but also because they are quite high-pitched (though not shouty) and melodic. Most of the songs are pretty cohesive and "Abandoned World" and "The Wandering" are definetly the highlights here. The titletrack is the only cut that becomes abecomes quite annoying. The inevitable long track is "Personalities"(subtitled "The Long on") and is also good though including a hilarious part called "Emely". Highly recommended for prog-heads and AORsters who enjoy Dream Theater most melodic moments.

Ok, What am I supposed to write about this one? Harlan Cage are considered by a wide majority of the AOR fans like one of the best bands in the 90's but this record leaves me cold. Probably, if a bunch of newcomers would have sent me this cd they would get a higher mark but these guys are capable of more...much more. Their debut was fantastic, the second release "Double Medication Tuesday" was harder but still very good but this one is like listening the same songs re-written again. I have no doubt that the fans of the band will enjoy this album, but let´s be serious, "Forbidden Colors" slips dangerously close to ordinarity and predictability. The overall sound is closer to "DMT" than to the debut mainly due to the ever present (good) guitar-work courtesy of Billy Liesegang. "Thrill of it all" from the Fortune release and "Masking my way back to you" are clear winners but, sincerely, all the other tunes sound the same to me. If you are die-hard fan buy it but all the rest don´t expect Harlan Cage´s third release to be groundbreaking.

To be honest, when I first heard the news that Frontiers was releasing the newest Jimi Jamison record (under the name Survivor) and the duo Peterik/Sullivan were not involved, I thought that this would be a dull collection of rockers showing the agony of one of the most brilliant vocalist in the world of AOR. To my surprise this is not "When love comes down" part II, instead this is far from it and shows a monster band in state of grace. Brilliant tunes from beginning to end...well, all of them but the filler "Love is Alive" (previously included in the second Eyes cd). The songs have the magic Survivor touch but with an added amount of guitar power and passion. "Cry tough" is a brilliant start, "First day of love" is big arena AOR with huge guitars and great melody, the inevitable ballads are "November Rain" and "Just beyond the clouds" and "I am always there" is the Baywath theme song with a little re-working. the addition of two live cuts from the good old days "Burning Heart" and "Rebel Son" complete an awesome record. AOR masterpiece. Buy it without hesitation.

I had big expectations with this one. It´s not everyday that you get some of the most notorious westcoast musicians like Champlin, S.Porcaro, Funderburk, Wiebe, Grillo, Hawkins... in one cd. Basically Visionary is Mark Moulin´s project. Some of the tunes like the King of Hearts-sounding ballad "Wherever you Lead" are simply delightful, although there are also some weaker tracks suffering from a bad production. This record is pretty varied and has AOR rockers, some westcoast, jazz/pop ("Pretty Baby") and even some country in the slow tempo "Forgotten One". The titletrack is one of the highlights. and probably most AOR song with Stan Bush handling the vocal duties and Vince DiCola playing the keyboards. Also the opener "Start Right Now" is very interesting though the high-pitched vocals by Funderburk sound too forced for me.
I hope that somebody gives Mark the chance to record new songs with a better sound. This Visionary cd is not a must but still a fine addition for the lovers of Westcoast/AOR.

Listen AORsters out there, this cd confirms one thing that has been happening from the beginning of the present year. The label Escape is increasing dramatically the quality of their releases musically and production-wise. And not only their relases sound better but they also look much better with very nice covers. It has been a while now since each Escape release is a quality product and all the AOR fanatics should be pleased and grateful. Thanx guys! Finally, I´d like to say that I am not sponsored by the label in any way it´s just that I feel fair to state what I think.
Well, let´s talk about this album... though I guess you can deduce what I think of it, right? Troy Reid from Agent delivers with this project a brilliant dose of what I qualify as modern AOR. Just listen to the opener "Somebody Laughs" and you will understand what I am saying. Fans of Heartland, Distance or Agent will love this relase, but also hints of The Storm can be heard in cuts like "Still Want You" or the power ballad "Tonight Can Last Forever". Probably "Spaceman" is the most experimental moment in a record that will please all the fans of quality AOR. I just hope that this is not a one-off project though I think it´ll be. Like I said with the Survivor cd: get a copy and enjoy.

Faith Nation is an American band with one cd already out. While their debut was classic 80's AOR this new album adds more pomp/prog touches specially in the use of massive keyboards and arrangemets. The style is pomp melodic rock and I can hear elements of Styx to Giuffria or Read Dawn in some of the tracks and that is a good thing in my book. Probably the vocals do sound to forced at times and the sound is not excellent but this record has some big tunes and would probably please every pomp fan. The opener "Arms Around the World" is inmense. "Free" features some keys a la David Rosenthal. "Ordinary People" that has some Queen-like backing vocals in the refrain. "Keep it Simple" is also one of the highlights here. Ordinary People proves that the band is definetly following the right direction. Very interesting and enjoyable cd.

Gary Schutt contacted me to see if I wanted to review his new cd "Playthings". Of course, I said yes taking into account his fine work in the Takara debut album along with one of the top vocalists in the melodic rock Jeff Scott Soto. I also liked his first solo album "Sentimental" though the programming was rather annoying. Anyway, when I got the cd I was expecting an AOR album. to my surprise Gary has given a harder edge to his music that now sounds absolutely melodic hard rock at times. Just take a listen to "In the Middle" or the wonderful "Don´t come Crying to Me". Also "Do you still..." is one of the best cuts of the album. Out of thirteen songs I had great chances of getting several fillers and that´s exactly how it was. Too many boring tracks leave the overall mark down, something that is a pity because I think this guy has talent for rock: he plays everything and sings... and don´t expect easy compositions or drum and bass programing "Traumatized" is the proof of that with a guitar keyboard solo. Really great. By the way good production and mixing as well.... but too many fillers after all. If you like uptempo melodic rock give it a chance.

From the uplifting "Over You" you know this record is going to be great. Danté Fox debut 2 years ago showed that the band was capable enough and the future looked shiny for them. "The Fire Within" is the confirmation. The sound is harder than the pop/rock featured by the debut and Tim Manford tasty guitar work is more present than ever, just like the breathtaking and powerful vocals from Sue Willets. The second track "Under the City Lights" is a great AOR tune with an big chorus. Then the ballad "A Matter of Time" leads us to the powerful uptempo "Firing my Heart". In my opinion the only filler is "Remember", a quite dull rocker wich lets the side downa bit. "In my dreams" has a great instrumental part even using some prog licks.
We always say that 9 good songs are better than 15 with fillers. This cd is a nine-song affair and the overall quality makes the listener wanting more. I would sum the review up by saying that this is high class Hard-AOR with great musicianship and a fanatstic vocalist. Recommended.

Record after record, with Heartland or The Distance, Chris Ousey proves he is one of the best singers in the AOR today. His ace deals with a varied palette of tones and melodies all wrapped up by the feeling and the class he adds to every single note he sings. Must I say I love him...
The Distance not only features Mr. Ousey but also some very capable musicians like Kenny "Kaos" and Dave Hopia who seem to be three permanent members of the band. "Live and Learn" is their second release and comes much closer to the last Heartland records than to the first Distance cd. We find many great tracks, in fact I can't find a single second wasted. The furious "Judgement Day" shows the way to softer pieces like the melodic mid-tempo "The Sleeper". Then some fantastic AOR numbers like "Twisting the Knife" or the best track all over the plastic: "It's You" wich is a clear contender for song of the year. Great musicanship and an instant singalong chorus. The Rick Springfield-penned "Dancing on the Edge of the World" is brilliant too.
This record is 90's AOR. After repeated listens it can't stop getting bigger and bigger and that is something that a consider a big achievement for any reputed rock band. After "Live and Learn", I think this is just what The Distance is. Buy and enjoy.

"Union" is the first sampler that appears after the marriage between Now & Then and Frontiers records. Like the majority of this kind of releases, "Union" is a great way to "listen before you buy" and get to know the bands that currently are working with the label. This cd is mid-price which makes a great deal if we take into account that we are getting a total amount of 17 tracks from some of the most well-known acts in the AOR/Melodic rock circles like Ten, Crown of Thorns, Drive, She Said or Stan Bush. Certainly, the most interesting part is the "upcoming" material which offers and advance demo of what Frontiers/Now & Then will be releasing in the following months. From the fantastic hook-ladden, Survivor-esque AOR made by Norway, a rough demo of the debut solo album by Ten's guitarrist Vinny Burns to a prove that Hugo is more Journey than Journey themselves. But for me the gem here is the only unreleased track: Gary Hughes' "The miracle is Your". This song was the b-side of the Japanese single "In your eyes" and is a great ballad Gary's personal style. Great tune. If you are not very familiar with Now & Then/Frontiers material you should grab a copy and discover how good bands their roster has.

Mark Spiro is an AOR genious. There is no doubt of that after three bombastic releases featuring some of the best tunes we have heard in the last years. This seems to be his last AOR release and maybe we see him coming back to his more folk sounds featured on his first solo "Care of my Soul". Jim Vallance co-wrotes "I'll be There" which is the first track of this thirteen-track AOR fest. This record is between the softer sounds of "Now is then, then is now" and the harder "Devotion" but the Spiro label and personal style is again all over this release and again no hint of a filler track. My favourite songs are "Can you hear the Night", "The rythm of your Soul" and "Back to the Promised Land" but I suppose each one can find his own highlights. This record is the final confirmation of an extraordinaire artist. Buy now.

One of the biggest disappointments of 1995 was the Frederiksen/Phillips record. Some great musicans were flooded by a seventies-like collection of tunes that appart form the beautiful "Oh, Dianne" offered little enjoyment for the AOR fan. But "Equlibrium" is exactly the opposite. Great Westoast/AOR with 11 impecable tracks featuring again an impressive guest list including Fergie's ex-bandmate Ricky Phillips. The former Bad English is really involved in this project including songwritting, playing and producing the whole opus. I suppose Mr. Frederiksen needs no introduction after leving his footprint in classic bands like Toto, LeRoux or Trillion and with this release puts him once again on the spotlight. "Mata Hari" is a serious contender for song of the year, but also great are "Tell me Dianna" or the fantastic ballad "The truth is good Enough" (written by ex-Survivor's Jim Peterik). The most Westcoast moments are the Chicago-esque "Crazy" and "Best I can Be" which sounds like Toto era Isolation. "Equlibrium" is an excellent album with very good songs and arrangements. A must for everyone into AOR.

Hailing from Sweden, Scudiero is the latest release by Z records and man how good they are. Coming across Dream Theater "Images and Words" or Queensryche most melodic sounds in one side and instant, catchy Melodic Rock in the other, this album an opus both appealing for lovers of Progressive and Melodic Hardrock. Those who have heard the band in the Z records samplers will get the picture easily. I wouldn't highlight any certain song as many deserve this monicker after repeated listens but certainly "YMI" and the power ballad "Some Things Never Change" completely grabbed my attention from the first time the cd hit the deck of my hi-fi. Scudiero's sound has been built on Michael Rosengren keyboards which give Scudiero's music a fantastic dimension where Fredrik Folkare deals its ace with class but leting the songs breathe. Vocalist HB uses a couple of Glenn Hughes tricks here and there like in the epic "Dragon's Lair". As I have said all the tunes, but "The Devil in Me", find their own place in "Walking through Mirrors". All in all, Scudiero's first opus is a consistent, well-produced and very promising debut for these Swedish guys. Strongly recommended. read the interview

Roger Lapointe resumé says he has been playing in a Eagles Tribute band... but this solo record is not really in the Don Henley and co. territory. In fact it comes closer to the 80's style of AOR, that is John Waite, Agent... but without arriving to the high levels that both former and latter reached. Despite the weak production some tunes are pretty good AOR. Example of this are the opener titletrack, "Matter of Time" or "Tie You Up". The overall result is a nice AOR tune copilation but nothing more.One more thing, people can bear a weak production and mixing, everyone know what low-budget represents to independent labels, but even with a little quantity of dollars a decent package can be created. Reger Lapointe's cover is really dull and it seems done in 5 minutes, furthermore the booklet is non-existent. Please take care of the visual content as well, because although is not as improtant as the audio it's really sad to see some kind of things.