Album review : VARIOUS ARTISTS – No Static At All : A Journey Into AOR (3CDs)

September 6th, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 18.09.26]

No Static At All is a 3 CD, 60 tracks journey through the halcyon days of AOR. It’s a tip of the hat to Steely Dan’s movie (FM) music hit of the same title.

And if any era can be described as a moment in time, then the eighties certainly capture that moment. AOR became popular music’s cultural phenomenon, and for all its critics, it led to the major players, like Journey, like Boston, like Foreigner, like Chicago and many others selling millions of albums.

Even now, the abbreviation, AOR (popular translation: Adult Oriented Rock) evokes a sense of nostalgia for a golden era where those and many other bands dominated FM Radio and MTV.

And if any band epitomises “AOR” it’s Journey.
In recent years, using the band’s multi million selling hit song ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ as the theme for popular TV series “The Sopranos”, brought the genre back into the mainstream. People sat up and took notice.

If not exactly a revival, it generated new interest.

As we write, Bon Jovi are about to begin a three night gig at Wembley Stadium.

And many other top line artists are touring somewhere in the world this summer, like Sammy Hagar, Toto, Stryper, Night Ranger, Loverboy and many others. So it’s clearly very much alive.

Underneath those headline bands, many, many artists thrived, made a mark, dominated the airwaves and created huge fanbases without ever capturing the zeitgeist (or the bestseller lists).
No Static At All salutes the big names, and combines that with a deep dive into the world of great AOR bands and great AOR tracks that didn’t quite dominate the headlines.

Artists like Aviary. Their song ‘Feel The Heat’ is taken from their self titled, 1979 debut album. New England’s rocket ride, ‘Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya’ (its popularity across US FM radio propelled it into the Billboard Top 40). Red Rider (later known as Tom Cochrane and Red Rider), and their darkly atmospheric album track, ‘Lunatic Fringe’ (used on Miami Vice and Vision Quest).

UK Artists like Rainbow. Their mighty, earthmoving ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ is here (written by Russ Ballard). Graham Bonnet’s finest moment? More UK artists: Robert Palmer, his ‘I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On’ is here. Asia’s third single ‘Only Time Will Tell’, from their self titled debut was a huge hit in the USA. Their label’s biggest commercial success. It’s here.

Not forgetting ZON, Starz, Balance, Quarterflash, Streets, Icon, I-Ten and more. Bands bubbling just below the surface, one song/ one album short of that elusive breakthrough, waiting for the moment. They too are here.

Of course,the big guns keep on coming… Journey, ‘Stone In Love’; REO Speedwagon ‘Keep On Lovin You’; Yes, ‘Owner of A Lonely Heart’; Aldo Nova,’Fantasy’; Eddie Money, ‘Shakin’.

Plus Mr Mister, Kansas, Eric Martin, and yes, many many more.

Detailed, informed, and most of all, enthusiastic liner notes elevate an already superb anthology into a must-have for fans. *****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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Power Plays w/c 31 August 2026

JEFFERSON STARSHIP Jetpack (indie)
SHOGUN MOJO Under The Gun (Frontiers)
NOT MY WIFE Best Friend (indie)
BEN POOLE Time Has No Mercy (Gypsy Soul Records)
NIGHT TALKS Window Shopping (indie)
CHEZ KANE One Day (Is All That It Takes) (Frontiers)

Featured Albums w/c 31 August 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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