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HOT NEW REVIEWS
SOLDIER
‘MY WINDOW’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Just like most other releases on METALLIC
BLUE RECORDS, also the SOLDIER CD My Window contains a CD booklet that tells
extensively all about the band and its members. SOLDIER is a bandname we have
encountered more than a few times, but this here concerns a band from a small
town in Utah, USA. They released a CD in 1993, but like many other bands faced
hard times when the 80s ended and so now we are looking at a ‘new’ SOLDIER CD
that contains old remastered unreleased material. The lead singer of this band
was CHRIS BOUDREAUX, who was also in the bands THE TAKE and BOUDREAUX, of whom
we reviewed other CD releases om METALLIC BLUE RECORDS. This SOLDIER CD
contains 7 songs recorded back in 1986 and 5 songs recorded in 1995. The music
is clearly going into a mid-80s AOR/Melodic Rock direction, with Chris handling
upfront keys besides of course singing. He also wrote the majority of the
songs, which explains why his keys are up front in the mix. No problem at all,
since this is 80s AOR done at a very high level. The other involved members are
CLAYTON AUSTIN (guitar, keys), JED BRADSHAW (bass), BRIAN KIRBY (guitar) and
TRACY NIELSON (drums). Opener My Window is pure early 80s AOR with dut-dut keys
and a catchy chorus, reminding me of bands such as PASSENGER, MERE MORTALS,
AIRRACE, PREVIEW and such, with a very slight touch of 1983 BON JOVI’s Melodic
Rock. More of that early BON JOVI can be heard during Without Love, which also
reminds me of SURGIN’, TOBRUK, SHY and such. Slipping Apart is a pure early/mid
80s AOR ballad like SYNCH. Other highlights are The Cells Are Locked, Michelle
and Life, which all have that pompy keyboard friendly AOR sound of bands like FM,
WHITE SISTER, AVIATOR, GIUFFRIA, TOUR DE FORCE, early PHANTOM’S OPERA and such.
The 5 songs from 1995 are likewise less keyboard/AOR orientated, but still
songs like No Easy Way Out and Can’t Stand Still are nice 80s based uptempo
melodic aor/rockers. This SOLDIER CD is therefore another highly recommended
METALLIC BLUE RECORDS release if you’re into classic 80s melodic rock! The CD
is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and
the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.6 out of 10)
THE
TAKE ‘GET TAKEN’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The story on THE TAKE continued after Hard
Wave Heroes, because METALLIC BLUE RECORDS released 2 more CDs of the band’s
later material. Get taken contains 11 songs recorded in 1985 and 1997, with on
lead vocals CHRIS BOUDREAUX, who joined the band again after leaving them a few
years earlier. He was originally the drummer, but stepped up to become
frontman, while singer and leader MICHAEL COONES switched to rhythm guitar.
This clearly was an improvement, because Chris had a great voice and the
included songs here are all great AOR/Melodic Rocksongs that sound like a cross
between TOUR DE FORCE, MERE MORTALS and PHANTOM’S OPERA. Songs like Baby Don’t
Leave (an BOUDREAUX original). City Kid, Boulevard, the super catchy Young
Girls In Love (LOVERBOYish), Love Me In Leather and It’s My First Offense Of
Love are all great timeless 80s AOR/Melodic Rock pieces that will be
appreciated by fans of the aforementioned bands. You can get a copy of the CD
through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com and
the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.1 out of 10)
THE
TAKE ‘PINK AND PROUD’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The 3rd THE TAKE CD Pink
And Proud contains material recorded in 1985/1986 after CHRIS BOUDREAUX had
left the band again, so MICHAEL COONES stepped up front again and sang on the 9
included songs. Thankfully Michael has improved even more, so it seems the band
now sounds quite professional. Musically speaking it was once again 80s
AOR/Melodic Rock, done well and with as highlights this time Young Girls In
Love (a la URGENT-USA), the lovely ultra-80s catchy AOR/Poprocking
HAYWIRE/BYSTANDER ish Katrina, Parlez Vous Francais and The Power Of Youth.
Concluded, THE TAKE from Utah, USA was a very productive band during the 1980s,
and now 3 CDs filled with their original material are available and the
AOR/Melodic Rockfans will certainly be interested in checking them out.
Personally I would say start with the Get taken CD, which features THE TAKE at
their very best, although I have to admit that Pink And Proud sounds as the
most professional CD! You can get a copy of every THE TAKE CD through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.1 out of 10)
THE
TAKE ‘HARD WAVE HEROES’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The re-issue label METALLIC BLUE RECORDS
is focused on releasing rare 80s US Melodic (Hard) Rock onto CD. Most of the
releases contain material that was previously only available on either cassette
tape or was not released at all. THE TAKE was a band from Utah and they were as
independent as you can get, with a typical indie AOR/Poprocksound that was not
far removed from STEEL BREEZE, THE CARS and even MOON MARTIN. Lightweight
radiofriendly cheerful uptempo keyboard driven hookladen AOR/Poprock,
borderline Powerpop/Radiorock is the style THE TAKE was doing and they released
a few albums, of which Hard Wave Heroes is a stunning 2-CD set released by
METALLIC BLUE RECORDS. The 2 CDs count together 38 (!) short songs that reflect
the AOR/Poprocksound described earlier in this review. Most of the songs are in
the same style, which is pure early 80s uptempo basic US AOR/Radiorock with a
focus on catchy choruses, but less sensational than for example 707 and STEEL
BREEZE, which is due to the vocals of MICHAEL COONES, because he is not a
strong singer I’m afraid, Nevertheless, it is still interesting to check out if
you’re a fan of this style, because songs like Calling Dr. Love, Drive Another
Nail In My Heart, Bad Reputation, London Girl, It’s My First Offense Of Love,
Hold On and Turn Away Eyes of CD 1 are all in the described style. CD 2 is much
heavier and more AOR/Melodic Rock orientated with an improved Michael on
vocals, better songwriting and overall a really nice collection of catchy
tunes. Highlights on CD 2 are Take Me Back To Tokyo, United We Stand, Call Of
The Wild, We Are The Young (a bit TREATish) and the 3 instrumental demos that
are very AOR based (Inside A Lonely Heart, Straight Through The Heart and
China), reminding me a lot of the band THE HEAT (if anyone knows them!). The
amount of songs is overwhelming, and there are actually 2 more THE TAKE CD
releases on METALLIC BLUE RECORDS, which are also reviewed by yours truly. This
one is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com
and the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
7.8 out of 10)
BOUDREAUX
‘FALLEN ANGEL’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
CHRIS BORDEAUX is the name of the lead
singer of the band BOUDREAUX, of which METALLIC BLUE RECORDS released an
interesting CD filled with material Chris and his band recorded in the
aftermath of the US Melodic Hardrock/Hair Metal era (1993-1994). I remember
well this period, because upon discovering as a teenager in The Netherlands the
Hair Metal scene in the USA back in 1988/1989, it all ended abruptly in 1991
when Grunge and Alternative Rock took over. Thankfully I was able to track down
a lot of unknown gems of this genre during that period since everybody got rid
of their 80s albums and I started Strutter’zine in 1995, so I got in touch with
countless bands that were still very active during the 1990s, but were
completely ignored by the major press. The underground scene in the 1990s was
huge and a lot of bands should have deserved much more attention and one of
them was BOUDREAUX. Chris had already been in and out of bands for many years,
worked with all the major label bands and musicians, but around 1993/1994 he
went into the studio with bassist JUSTIN JUKNELIS (SCARLET BLUE), guitarist
DARWIN DEVITIS (CUT THROAT, MICKEY RAT), guitarist KEN SNYDER (CUT THROAT,
ROKKIN’ HORSE) and drummer RAMSAY BISHARAH (SAVANNAH NIX, STRAIGHT JACKET, CUT
THROAT) to record a bunch of excellent US melodic hardrock in the best late 80s
style, but due to the fact it was 1994, it was shelved and now 27 years later
released as Fallen Angel on CD by METALLIC BLUE RECORDS. Lovely uptempo 80s
melodic rockers (a la FIREHOUSE, KNOW ILLUSION) such as Road To Nowhere, Baby
Don’t Leave, Who Peed In The Pool and Why Did Our Love Go Away as well as a
bunch of groovier hard/heavy rockers (a la EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE, SKID ROW)
now get a second chance through this wonderful CD, which is available
through: https://www.metallicbluerecords.com and I
need to additionally mention that the label put together one of the finest and
longest biographies of a musician I have ever seen in the CD booklet! The
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.7 out of 10)
RAWKON
‘STREET EAGLES’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Before lead singer MARC GROVER joined ROCK
BOULEVARD, he was part of the band RAWKON, a great 80s Melodic Metal band with
a couple of rare cassette and EP releases back in the 1980s, which have
carefully been remastered and put together on 1 CD by METALLIC BLUE RECORDS.
The sound is a bit raw and rough, edgy at times, but still the real deal for
fans of classic 80s Melodic Metal in the style of bands like RIOT, RUFFIANS,
SAVAGE GRACE (the Detroit band from the 80s), HEIR APPARENT, FIFTH ANGEL,
LEATHERWOLF etc. etc., although some of the songs also reflect AOR/Melodic Rock
influences. 13 songs from the period 1986-1988 are included here and despite
the demo sound quality, the music is really great and besides aforementioned
bands, also fans of the underground EBONY RECORDS sound from the early-mid 80s
will definitely like this a lot. It’s as authentic as possible and highlights
for me personally would be Vicez, Street Eagles (SUPERB a la KUNI, featuring a
surprising keyboardsolo!), Reflections (AOR influences) and Destiny (incredible
high pitched vocals that would even make GEOFF TATE jealous!). If you don’t
mind a slightly lower budget production/sound quality here and there (actually
only the 1986 metalish recordings, because the majority of the CD does sound
very good), but if you really care for 80s melodic metal (and a bit of melodic
rock/aor sometimes, especially the keyboard driven I Know You Know and the
sensational songs Johny’s Eyes and Times Changin’, which are almost pure AOR,
both recorded in 1988) at an incredible high level, then check out this album
a.s.a.p.! The CD is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.7 out of 10)
ROCK
BOULEVARD ‘STAND AND FIGHT’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The Nevada based band ROCK BOULEVARD was
called ROCK BLVD during the greater part of the 1980s, but they changed their
name to ROCK BOULEVARD after releasing a vinyl single under ROCK BLVD. in 1987.
The band switched their line up and released a collectable same titled CD,
which has been re-released as I Got What You Want on METALLIC BLUE RECORDS
(review elsewhere). The same label also released Stand And Fight under ROCK
BOULEVARD, which is a collection of songs the band recorded between 1987 and
1989, of which 2 songs were released on that aforementioned vinyl single. 10
songs are included, and opener How Many Times is a superb uptempo classic 80s
Melodic Rocker in the style of ICON, DANGER DANGER, FIREHOUSE, DOKKEN, KNOW
ILLUSION, etc. etc.The midtempo Rock With Me already reveals AOR influences,
sounding even a bit like H.E.A.T. and with the keys upfront during the lovely
uptempo Stand And Fight, we are even closer to a WHITE SISTER, yet with a
harder edged ICON (circa An Even More Perfect Union area) touch. The heavier
Mystery Woman is a fantastic catchy uptempo melodic hardrocksong, with a sorta
Y&T ish chorus and it has this really cool pure 80s vibe, definitely one of
the finest songs on the album. JEFF KERR is a superb vocalist, which you can
clearly hear on all these songs, especially during the superb uptempo melodic
rocker Y R U Lyin’, which sounds like a cross between NIGHT RANGER and JACK
STARR (circa Rock The American Way/In Your Arms Again). I think by now you’ll
get the picture what this band was all about, delivering top-notch 80s US
Melodic Rock with everything sounding picture perfect. One Time Lover continues
the big melodic rocksound, reminding me a bit of early ALDO NOVA, so again with
an AOR touch, and also featuring a great guitarsolo in the best 80s style.
Self-Sacrifice is slightly heavier, with a RATTish twist, although the Melodic
Hardrock of ROCK BOULEVARD is at times, especially during this song, it is very
close to ICON. You Left me Cryin’ follows in the same style, while closing
track How Many Times is featured again, this time in an alternate version with
guitarist DELAND VOTH singing (he also sung on the previous 2 songs as those
songs were part of a 3 tracks counting demo), because their original singer
Jeff had left the band when they started working on their official debut CD,
which was released in 1990 (story continues during the review of I Got What You
Want). Without a doubt, this is an awesome CD you absolutely need to own if you
call yourself a fan of the classic 80s American Melodic Rocksound. The CD is
available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/
and the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
9.0 out of 10)
ROCK
BOULEVARD ‘I GOT WHAT YOU WANT’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
As mentioned in the review of the other
ROCK BOULEVARD CD Stand And Fight which was released by METALLIC BLUE RECORDS,
the same label also released I Got What You Want. This marks the re-release of
the band’s 1990 same titled CD, along with 3 unreleased songs added to the original
6 songs. The band’s sound didn’t change that much compared to the other CD,
perhaps a bit heavier in the classic FIREHOUSE department (and clear SKID ROW
influences here and there, such as during the groovy I Live For Rock’N’Roll),
yet the real change was notable due to the switch of singer, because MARC
GROVER took over, and he has a fantastic crystal clear (slightly higher
pitched) voice a la SEBASTIAN BACH. Right from the start during the catchy
uptempo melodic rocker Girl You Know (It’s Your Love) you can hear that the
band sounded even more professional than they ever did before. Following Let’s
Go Wolfin’ (a single that was not available on CD before) even goes for an
uptempo Melodic Metal in the style of FIFTH ANGEL. Imagine a mix between ICON,
FIFTH ANGEL, CHARACTER, SKID ROW and FIREHOUSE, at the same high level of these
bands, then you will the sound of ROCK BOULEVARD on I Got What You Want. Unlike
the other CD, this time the band threw in an AOR Power Ballad in the shape of
Mama, which obviously was influenced by the WARRANT, SKID ROW and WINGER
ballads that topped the US charts 30 years ago (and also reminds me a bit of
the ROBBY VALENTINE classic Over And Over Again), but thankfully it’s done at
an extremely high level and therefore this is a sensational ballad to check out
if you’re a sucker for such songs. This song could have easily been in the MTV
countdown charts back in 1990! Other highlights on this 2nd ROCK
BOULEVARD are the superb midtempo Invisible Chains (pure FIREHOUSE circa their
1st), I Got What You Want (HEAVEN’S EDGE meets early SKID ROW) and .
This is definitely another recommended late 80s US Melodic Hardrock/Hair Metal
gem to check out and just like every release on METALLIC BLUE RECORDS, also
this one comes along with extensive liner notes! The CD is available
through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
9.0 out of 10)
EXPOSURE
‘MATTER OF TIME’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Although I have a rather large collection
of female fronted early 80s keyboard driven AOR/Poprock, this EXPOSURE from
Utah is completely new to me. They were originally called NIGHTLIFE, but
changed their name after a while. EXPOSURE managed to release a CASSETTE EP
titled Matter Of Time in 1985, of which its 5 tracks are now released on CD,
with in addition 5 more songs the band recorded in the early/mid 1980s. The
tape was and still is very collectable, but thankfully this CD release should
give more people the possibility to hear this little unknown rare female
fronted AOR/Poprock gem. It’s keyboard driven and sounds like it was recorded
in the 1982-1984 time frame when this kind of style was very popular. I hear
similarities to TANE CAIN, PAT BENATAR, LAURA BRANIGAN, LUBA, DRAMA, THE
BREAKS, DONNA CRISTY, CINDY CRUSE, SHEENA EASTON and countless more, and it’s
all done at an extremely high level. Without a doubt, the most important
members of EXPOSURE were their excellent singer ANDI SCHOPPER and
keyboardplayers ALLAN BETZ and FRED BETZ, two brothers. The other members in
the band were drummer RON THOMPSON and guitarist DANE RINEHARDT, and the material
of EXPOSURE was very radio-friendly and could have easily become huge hits when
hearing such wonderful songs such as Soft Machine, Nature Of The Beast, One By
One, Take Me Away (SENSATIONAL SUPERB CLASSIC 1983ish AOR in the best TAHNEE
CAIN style) and Take Me. Without a doubt, if you’re one of those fans of early
80s female fronted AOR/Poprock with a lot of keys/synths, pompy rhythms, catchy
hooks and memorable choruses in the style of aforementioned acts, then get this
CD a.s.a.p. through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/
and the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.9 out of 10)
BAD
BOYS ‘TURN ON THE RADIO’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The Salt Lake City based band BAD BOYS was
definitely a major label sounding band when listening to the 11 songs on their
CD Turn On The Radio. They managed to release 2 strong demo tapes during the
late 1980s, which have now been put together and released on CD by METALLIC
BLUE RECORDS. The band featured ex-THE TOOLS singer MIKE RAFONE, an excellent
vocalist of whom we talked about in the reviews of the 2 CDs of THE TOOLS. Back
to BAD BOYS, this was prime-time American Hair Metal/Melodic Hardrock of the
best mid/late 80s style, not far removed from bands like FIREHOUSE, EVERY
MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE, BANGALORE CHOIR, BABE BLU, WHITE LION, AUTOGRAPH, FRICTION,
KILLER DWARFS, DOKKEN, ROCK CANDY, STRUTT (a lot!) etc. etc. etc. 11 songs can
be found on this wonderful high quality CD, with as highlights the uptempo
pieces Bad Boy, Judgement Day, Love Me Tonight and Turn On The Radio, while the
AOR ballad Guillotine is also sensational. Must-have CD if your heart is in the
80s US Melodic Mainstream Hair Metal sound! This killer massive sounding CD is
available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/
and the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points: 8.9 out of 10)
THE
TOOLS ‘DIAMOND LACE’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
During the late 1970s and early 1980s the
Salt Lake City, Utah based band THE TOOLS was active and the first time I heard
these guys was via a wonderful 1983 released vinyl compilation record titled
Wasatch Rocks. Little did I knew they also released a full-length cassette
album in 1982. Both are combined now almost 40 years later and released on CD
under the title Diamond Lace. The included music is lovely classic early 80s
AOR/Melodic Rock with a focus on superb vocalwork (MIKE RAFONE) and
catchy uptempo melodic rocking tunes, reminding me a bit of the STRANGER album
from 1982 crossed with a bit of LOVERBOY’s early 80s Powerpop, but just a touch
heavier and more straight-forward, with also fantastic guitarwork by DANNY
DICKMAN. It’s great to see the band getting an official CD release a few
decades later, because they offered some sensational classic early 80s melodic
rock when you hear wonderful songs like Liar (not unlike 38 SPECIAL), Another
Lover, the superb A Girl (even a bit reminding me of NIGHTWORK), Tear It Up,
the lovely Dreams, the RATHSKELLERish On The telephone. Hookladen guitar
orientated catchy uptempo melodic AOR/Radiorock of the best early 80s kind is
the name of the game here on this THE TOOLS CD, which is available
through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.8 out of 10)
THE
TOOLS ‘REMODELING’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The story continued on the band THE TOOLS
from Utah, because they recorded a 2nd album titled Remodeling
in 1987, which gained interest from GEFFEN RECORDS, but sadly it was shelved
and never released until now. METALLIC BLUE RECORDS released the original 10
album tracks onto CD, and the sound is excellent classic 80s melodic hardrock
with that late 80s major label approach of bands like MELIDIAN, HERICANE ALICE,
FIREHOUSE, HEAVEN’S EDGE and such. The vocals were once-again spot on and the
catchy uptempo melodic rock is present all over the place, with as highlights Looking
Back, Thinking Of You and Rock & Roll On The Radio (superb catchy a la ROCK
CANDY and AUTOGRAPH). There’s quite some diversity as well, because there is
also some rougher sleazier late 80s rough heavy rock included as well, such as
the KIXish Sting me, the groovy VAN HALENish Do It For A Living (featuring a
fantastic soaring guitarsolo) and a Power Ballad (Wasting My Time) like SKID
ROW. Remodeling was definitely a more mature sounding album than the earlier
release, but personally I like both a lot and fans of 80s rock/hardrock
absolutely need to check out this band’s 2 CDs. Also this TOOLS CD is available
through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.6 out of 10)
AERIAL
‘CRAZY OVER YOU’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
The METALLIC BLUE RECORDS catalogue is
made up of material from bands around the 1980s Utah area when Melodic Hardrock
and Hair Metal was the main rock and roll sound in the USA. Sadly thousands of
bands did not get the chance to sign to a major label and release something
official. Thankfully METALLIC BLUE RECORDS steps in and releases CDs of these
rare unknown bands from the 1980s. Most bands are actually connected to each
other, because the scene in Utah was very tight back then. AERIAL is a bandname
we have seen a lot, but this one recorded several songs during the 1980s, of
which 4 are included here, while the other 6 songs on the CD were recorded
during the 2000s after they reformed. The music is pure 80s Melodic Hardrock
with a focus on catchy hooks, memorable choruses and soaring guitarwork and it
is clear they were just having a good time! A song like Crazy Over You is a
deadly catchy chorus driven uptempo melodic rocker in the best 80s style of
DANGER DANGER, BON JOVI, DOKKEN, FIREHOUSE, WHITE LION… Thankfully all of the
songs are a mixture of these bands, so in case you like that legendary
authentic 80s American rocksound, then you will definitely like songs such as
I’ve Seen It All (VAN HALEN meets RATT), Is It Over (Rock Version), Hot Summer
Nights and Cuz I Know. Vocally speaking it sounds a bit less stronger during
the newer songs, but fans of aforementioned bands will definitely like this
one! The CD is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
7.9 out of 10)
BRAXXTON
‘AMERICAN ROCK’N’ROLL’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Just like all the other releases on
METALLIC BLUE RECORDS, also this BRAXXTON CD release contains everything you
need to know and hear of the particular band. Carefully remastered and along
with extensive liner notes (via a recent interview with their original
guitarist) and pictures, you get a good idea of another rare 80s band from the
Utah area in the USA. BRAXXTON consisted of lead singer JEFFREY LYNN BAGFORD,
guitarists JEFF ALLEMAN and SCOTT SNEDDON, bassist ERIK BRINKMAN and drummer
DAN SMITH. They recorded an awesome cassette titled Take One in 1986, which has
now been released on CD, with in addition an unreleased bonus track titled Into
The City. The included music is pure 80s American Melodic Rock and Roll with
influences of DEF LEPPARD, VAN HALEN, DOKKEN, SCORPIONS and such. They looked
and sounded like the typical American band at the time. Their somewhat
underground sound also reminds me a lot of bands like SHIRE, VYPER (Prepared To
Strike), BLITZKRIEG (Ready For Action) if anyone can remember them! The guys
were very young at the time, but they sounded sensational, with superstrong vocals,
picture-perfect guitarwork and a handful of great catchy uptempo rockers, such
as Fading Away, In The Night and Taking On The World, although they also
included a typical 80s Power Ballad in the shape of Never Give Up On Love. Nice
job to see these guys getting an official CD release almost 35 years later! The
CD is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/
and the European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.3 out of 10)
CIRKUS
‘WHO DO YOU DO?’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
CIRKUS from Salt Lake City, Utah was one
of many bands during the 1980s that delivered great typical 80s melodic hardrock/hair
metal/aor, but they sadly did not manage to get something officially released
on CD or LP, although they did manage to release a full album cassette titled
Who Do You Do? In the winter of 1987/1988 and this has now been re-issued onto
CD by METALLIC BLUE RECORDS. Besides the original remastered 12 songs, 4
bonustrack are added. CIRKUS consisted of lead singer CHRIS COFFIN, guitarists
JEFF ALLEMAN and CAMRON CRESALL, bassist TROY FILLMORE, drummer SCOTT FILLMORE
and keyboardplayer SCOTT YELONEK, and the 16 songs on this CD are a great trip
back in time when their kind of music was very common. The 80s BON JOVI, SHY
and DANGER DANGER similarities are very clear and fans of that sound will
absolutely love songs such as the uptempo melodic rockers Dream In, Don’t Go,
On Your Own and Oh! C’mon (very much reminding of mid 80s SHY). Vocally
speaking Chris reminds me a bit of the PRETTY BOY FLOYD singer somehow, so
there’s a Glamrock touch here and all together it is a nice release for sure.
The 4 bonustracks seem a little bit better produced and also showing a more
mature melodic rock based CIRKUS on songs like One Way Love and Spent My Last
Dime. The CD is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
7.9 out of 10)
VICE
‘FOOLED BY YOUR LOVE’ (METALLIC BLUE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
Out of the US state of Utah came the band
VICE and they existed for over a short period during the mid-1980s and they
managed to release a cassette tape in 1985, which eventually became a
collector’s item. There were quite a few bands under the name of VICE back
then, but within Utah they became very popular despite they split up after only
1 cassette tape release. The band consisted of vocalist BERT WHITE, guitarist
JAY GOUGH, drummer MARTY DELAND, bassist MARK MORRISON and keyboardplayer ALAN
LUDINGTON, and all of the members went their own way, spreading throughout the
USA. However, in 2018 the newly established Utah re-issue label METALLIC BLUE
RECORDS managed to release an official CD filled with the original 5 songs of
that cassette tape along with 3 live demo cuts. The result is that finally
after all those years this VICE gets an official release and so everyone can
enjoy their music. Opener Fooled By Your Love is a nice midtempo melodic
rocker, while September is the typical 80s melodic power rockballad that
follows. They remind a bit of BRIGHTON ROCK, mixing AOR keyboard friendly
melodies with somewhat rough hardrock/metal ish lead vocals and guitar riffs.
This can also be heard during the uptempo melodic rocker Calling On Your Love,
which sounds like a cross between 80s BON JOVI and TOBRUK. Waiting In Line
follows the same kind 80s Melodic Hardrock sound as the previous song. The
(Teutonic) Melodic Metal ish Warlords is featured twice, in its original studio
version and a live demo version (live it sounded awesome because VICE had a
real Metal shouter as a singer!), while the remaining 2 songs are the live demo
cuts You Won’t See Me Cryin’ (catchy uptempo 80s melodic rocker) and Played The
Fool Again (nice semi melodic rockballad). The live cuts sound a bit rougher, but
thankfully still good enough to listen to and showing that VICE was live pretty
much on fire. Concluded, this is a nice documentation of a band that did not
make it to the major label back in the 1980s, but nevertheless now is getting
awarded with this official CD release, which is available through https://www.metallicbluerecords.com/ and the
European customers can purchase a copy via https://www.aorheaven.com
(Points:
8.1 out of 10)
PIERA 'PIERA
BLUE VINYL RECORD' (INDEPENDENT/USA IMPORT)
After a short intro titled When The World
Ends, the Los Angeles based female fronted band PIERA dives into classic 80s
inspired synth driven uptempo pop-rock with the catchy Cosmic Reaction. It
actually concerns a duo here formed around PIERA KLEIN and MICAH PLISSNER, who
are clearly influenced by 80s somewhat dark synthesizer driven pop/rock with a
focus on those cool 80s synths and lush melodies. The band is influenced by the
acts from the 70s Krautrock and Electronic 80s Popmusic scene, such as KLAUS
SCHULZE, THE SWANS, DEPECHE MODE... Combined with the relaxing and very strong
vocals of Piera, this synth duo takes you on a journey that sometimes also reminds
me a bit of classic BERLIN, EURYTHMICS, THE MODELS and MISSING PERSONS, however
PIERA leans clearly more towards a bit more experimental krautrock/dark
wave/EBM direction here and there instrumentally speaking. A song like the
superb It's True is a fine example of this mixture. Anyway, the band was kind
enough to send me a blue vinyl record version of their debut album, which was
originally released in 2019. Other highlights on the album are Lost In You
(could be a massive hit with the retro 80s synth sound now taking over the
world again!), the experimental Dust, and the lovely catchy uptempo Calling You
Out. Recommended band to check out if you want to hear something slightly
different than the rest. I liked it a lot and I am sure enough people will do
that as well. More info at: https://www.pieramusic.net
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)
DRAGANOVA/BLACKMAN/BENNETT
‘THE CANTERBURY SOUND IN POPULAR MUSIC BOOK’ (EMERALD PUBLISHING/UK IMPORT)
Now this is a very interesting and well
written university book about the legendary Canterbury sound, which was very
popular for a while during the 1970s. Almost 50 years later not many people
will remember that sound, but it combined the 70s progressive rock with
elements of other genres, such as jazz, blues, psychedelic rock and classical
music. The result could be put between the regular prog/sympho of YES and
GENESIS, the Jazz/Fusion of for example STANLEY CLARKE and the experimental
drift of ZAPPA. The Canterbury took the best bits and pieces of these sounds
and came up with a whole new sorta fusion rocksound that gave birth to
wonderful bands such as SOFT MACHINE, GONG, CARAVAN and NATIONAL HEALTH.
Eventually during the 1970s prog and also the Canterbury sound became less
popular, which was also due to the sometimes complicated and stretched
improvisations going on, especially during live concerts. However, almost 5
decades on, people still talk about the Kent, UK based Canterbury sound, which
has now been extensively written about in this interesting book. It does feel
like a university essay book due to its use of complicated terms and detailed
look into the genre. However, the 3 authors did a terrific job and everyone who
wants to learn all the ins and outs on the classic Canterbury scene, then look
no further, because this book tells you all about it, not just the bands, but
also an incredible detailed look at the musicstyle itself. The book is
available through: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/
(Points:
8.3 out of 10)
ANAMA
'TALES OF DOUBT AND DEATH' (INDEPENDENT/BRAZIL IMPORT)
There once was a
period I was received loads of packages from all these great unknown bands out
of Brazil, which must have been in the late 1990s after ANGRA had become very
popular. Sadly the following decades it became very quiet and actually this is
one of the first CDs I received from Brazil after all these years. It concerns
the band ANAMA, which is a female fronted melodic neo-classical power/prog
metal band from Sao Paolo formed around BABI BUENO (vocals, piano, keys),
NIKOLAS MARCANTOANTOS (drums, percussion) and CAIO GARIBALDI (guitars, death
metal growls, programming) and they were kind enough to send me their very
professional European sounding album Tales Of Doubt And Death. The album counts
5 well-produced and excellent sung tracks that reminds me of bands like AFTER
FOREVER, NIGHTWISH and EPICA. It’s a pity such bands from Brazil hardly get
recognition here in Europe, because they easily reach the level of the
aforementioned bands. Check them out a.s.a.p. in case you’re a fan of such
bombastic symphonic melodic neo-classical prog/power metal at: http://youtube.com/anamaofficial
(Points:
8.3 out of 10)
MOLLY
BURCH 'ROMANTIC IMAGES' (CAPTURED TRACKS/KONKURRENT)
Now here we have
something sensational, although quite commercial, but done in a way it is acceptable.
MOLLY BURCH comes out of Austin, Texas and Romantic Images is her 4th album
so far. She studied jazz and has a deep love for NINA SIMONE and BILLIE
HOLIDAY, but her own music is indie pop with a commercial pop touch. Actually
it’s the typical modern female fronted popsound we also know from ANGEL OLSEN,
FLORENCE & THE MACHINE, SHARON VAN ETTEN, WEYES BLOOD, ST. VINCENT, etc.
etc. 10 songs are included and each of them has the potential to become a huge
radiohit if of course they pick up. Otherwise the social network should do her
work to get MOLLY BURCH to bigger fame and fortune. One of the absolute
highlights for me personally is the superb New Beginning, with its sorta 70s
ish westcoast/jazz/fusion guitar lick. Emotion is one of the songs I would pick
to throw out on the social network and make ready for radio airplay, because
this has a very cool retro late 70s disco touch, yet with the modern feeling
like other successful female singers. Check out this rising superstar for
yourself at: https://mollyburch.bandcamp.com/album/romantic-images
(Points:
8.3 out of 10)
JODI
'BLUE HEROIN' (SOOPER RECORDS/KONKURRENT)
Blue Heroin is the
debut album of JODI aka NICK LEVINE. He was a founding member of the band
PINEGROVE before he went solo and released this album. Musically speaking it is
a very depressing adventure, with a dark calm melancholic singer/songwriter
approach in the LEONARD COHEN/NICK CAVE direction. Done very well, it is a must
for fans of aforementioned acts, although personally after a while the
depressing low-tuned vocals doesn’t make it easy to get through the record.
Anyway, as mentioned if you’re a COHEN / CAVE fan you will love this!
(Points:
6.0 out of 10)
CLIVE
NOLAN 'SONG OF THE WILD LANDS' (CRIME RECORDS/NORWAY IMPORT)
CLIVE NOLAN is of
course known as the keyboard wizard in the prog/sympho rock world. I have seen
him perform live multiple times and he is amazing. His involvement in ARENA,
PENDRAGON, SHADOWLAND and such bands are just a few examples of all he’s done
the past 40 years. During the pandemic he started working on a new idea, which
is now finished as Song Of The Wildlands, which is a sorta progressive rock
opera/musical project that involves musicians and singers from the UK and
Norway. The story is about a ‘fantasy’ journey through time with stories about
demons, dragons, heroes, battles, weapons and much more. This is one of those
albums you put on and just let it take you into a complete different world,
which in this pandemic is a huge welcome of course. Folk, Prog and Sympho Rock
are connected well in each and every of the 15 included songs. It sounds at
times very mythical old mediaeval folk music orientated, while Clive also shows
his enormous skills on the keyboard in-between. This mixture makes it a joy to
listen to such wonderful songs like the mediaeval folky There’s a Threat! (also
a bit 2010s KAYAK), the massive RHAPSODY light sounding Beowulf’s Promise, the
symphonic Grendel Attacks, and the uptempo Underwater Cavern. This has got to
be one of the big surprises of 2021! It’s an amazing journey that is packed
with a huge sound that should appeal to everyone who likes bombastic sounds,
opera like themes and also mediaeval folk moments, because that’s all included
in this concept record. Check out all info at: www.clivenolan.net
(Points:
8.6 out of 10)
STEVE
MARRINER 'HOPE DIES LAST' (STONY PLAIN RECORDS/CANADA IMPORT)
As soon as the opening
song Take Me To The City of the 2nd album Hope Dies Last of
Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and record producer STEVE
MARRINER blasts through the speaker, we’re safe to say that this is going to be
a great adventure, because Steve is a gifted singer/songwriter and guitarist.
The song itself is a fantastic uptempo soulful bluesy rocker that has all the
ingredients to become a massive hit. Steve is best known as member of the
Canadian bluesrockband MONKEYJUNK, but also played and performed with many
other musicians and recently produced records and did session work with other
artists. However, he also puts out solo records, although his solo debut Going
Up was released back in 2007. Now it’s time for the 2nd album
Hope Dies Last and as already mentioned it started very well with Take Me To
The City, which is followed by the slow blues rock of Honey Bee, while How High
picks up the tempo again. This CD smells and feels as good as for example JOE
BONAMASSA or KENNY WAYNE SHEPHARD, yet a bit more authentic and also more
soulful like for example GARY CLARK JR or even LENNY KRAVITZ. Steve has a
wonderful voice and besides playing guitar and bass, drums and piano here and
there, there’s a list of guest musicians on guitar, bass, drums, piano and
backing vocals. Other highlights are the lovely midtempo melodic rocking
Somethin’ Somethin’ (with a JOHN MAYERish touch and superb vocals that stretch
to a sensational direction towards the end of the song), the amazing midtempo
Coal Mine, the rockier Hear My Heart (with harmonicasolo by Steve himself) and
closing track Long Way Down (a beautiful calmer piece). Without a doubt, this
is a sensational release which basically every fan of real music will love! If
he’s lucky one of the songs should be picked up worldwide, because it has huge
potential to become massive! More info at: www.stonyplainrecords.com
(Points:
8.8 out of 10)
MURRAY
MCLAUCHLAN 'HOURGLASS' (TRUE NORTH RECORDS/CANADA IMPORT)
The Canadian folk
singer MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN has been active in the music business since the 1970s
and in his homeland of Canada he is a major artist with 11 Juno Awards and he
was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame and Canadian
Songwriters Hall Of Fame. He released a total of 18 albums and shared the stage
with legendary performers like JONI MITCHELL, EVERLY BROTHERS and his songs
have been covered by many other iconic artists, such as WAYLON JENNINGS, KRIS
KRISTOFFERSON, TOM RUSH, etc. Now he releases his new album Hourglass, which is
a beautiful pure authentic folk/americana album. In the past he flirted with
rock and roots, but on Hourglass it’s all about the singer/songwriter folk
direction he is best known for. His voice has aged very well and the 10 songs
are a joy to listen to, because they tell us all kinds of real stories. Besides
Murray on guitar and vocals, other involved musicians are drummer AL CROSS,
bassist VICTOR BATEMAN, steel guitarist BURKE CARROLL and keyboardplayer VEZI
TAYYEB. Together they came up with a great harmonic sound that is perfectly
suitable to either start your day with or close your day alongside a campfire.
Murray shows he is one of the great Folk performers still around today, with
new music as can be heard on Hourglass. More info at: www.truenorthrecords.com
(Points:
8.0 out of 10)
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