Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Release Date 17.05.19

First Signal was conceived some years back as a vehicle to reunite Harem Scarem singer Harry Hess with the pure melodic rock style that arguably began and ended with the Canadians’ debut album, before they diversified into a less predictable direction.

But now, at the time of this third album, the challenge has been set higher to produce something distinctive and value adding, given that his parent band’s hot streak since reforming has culminated in their most mainstream album in many a year, 2017’s ‘United’.

Any doubts are dispelled by the opener ‘Born to be a Rebel’, a classic up-tempo melodic rock anthem with the bridge having hooks that would grace most songs by themselves and an equally strong chorus, even if the lyrics are a tad clichéd.

It is Harry’s sole co-write of the album with fellow Canuck Stan Messner. The latter- one of those veteran cult names whispered by AOR anoraks- also supplies two of the other top tracks in ‘Walk Through the Fire’, which I remember from a Carl Dixon solo album, and ‘Never Look Back’ with more massive hooks.

However it is the vibrant Scandinavian scene that supplies most of the tracks, and second song in ‘A Million Miles’ has a chorus with that classic Scandi melodic feel. There are also a couple of lush ballads in ‘The Last of My Broken Hearts’ and ‘Here With You’. Harry’s vocals are immaculate as ever and well supported by HS bandmate Darren Smith.

First Signal mainman Daniel Flores has a reputation for rather too keyboard-heavy projects but on this occasion they are more in balance with the guitars, some of the solos from Michael Palace being quite superb.

After a mid album dip with the title track sounding rather flat, it finishes on a high note with three more up tempo songs. ‘Need You Now’ and ‘The End of the World’ are sandwiched by one of the album’s highlights in the naggingly familiar ‘Falling’, with Nigel Bailey’s songwriting contribution doing the UK proud.

I am not normally a fan of these studio projects, but repeated listenings have turned this one into a favourite. It hangs together well and is something of a showcase for worldwide melodic rock talent at its finest.

**** 1/2

Review by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)