Frontiers Records [Release date 18.11.22]
We all want to love this album because it’s Autograph. Even though they’re one-hit-wonders, and even though bassman Randy Rand is/was the only remaining original member.
(Rand took part in the recording sessions, but died before the album was released, RIP.)
It was well into this century before vocalist, Simon Daniels, guitarist, Jimi Bell and drummer Marc Wieland joined the band. Yet, that one hit, ‘Turn Up The Radio’, lives on in the minds and memories of all Melodic Rock lovers who remember the eighties – 1985 to be precise.
The lesson here of course is to forget 1985. This band is nothing like the Autograph we remember.
AOR/Melodic Rock of the era, whatever you want to call it, was never cerebral. The best stuff, the stuff that mattered, was emotionally urgent and immediate. The most human of sentiments formed the foundation that underpinned success.
With Beyond, there are too many tired lyrical ideas, too many wafer thin sentiments, and too many forgettable melodies to give the new material any real traction.
Only a few tracks stand out. The Beatlish ‘Heart Of Stone’; the contemporary sounding ‘Take Me Higher’, a mix of present day Def Leppard and Canadian alt rockers, Our Lady Peace. And thanks to some neat axework from Bell and a raspy, authoritative vocal from Daniels, ‘Everything’ just about avoids the drop.
In the end though, too much of the album sounds like a band trying to forge its own signature. **1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.
This is the second show broadcast on 25 October Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.
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 18 October 2026.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026
BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 26 October 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)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Recent (last 30 days)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
