Album review: ARC ANGEL – Harlequins of Light

Frontiers www.frontiers.it

Arc Angel is Jeff Cannata and Jeff (and Arc Angel) go back a long way. Jeff (going then by the name of Christopher Hawke) was a founding member of Connecticut based progressive rock band Jasper Wrath who released their self-titled debut back in 1971. When Jasper Wrath broke up in 1976 Cannata, with band-mate Michael Soldan, formed Arc Angel and the rest of the band including one James Christian formed Eyes. Arc Angel’s debut surfaced to little acclaim in the US back in 1983 but picked up a cult following in Europe. After various projects including one of the early releases on the Now & Then label (Cannata’s Watching the World), Jeff has seen fit to resurrect the Arc Angel name for another go.

Harlequins of Light kicks off in full overblown pomp mode with the superb title track. An atmospheric piano intro is followed by an orchestra and guitar refrain that brings Kashmirto mind. Unfortunately to my mind things then begin to slip…

Best remaining tracks are power ballad Through the Night which carries a very familiar catchy tune…maybe a cross between Angel and Queen and last track Legend of the Marie Celeste with its creaking boat intro and Magnum/Saga feel. As Far As the Eye Can See kicks off with a Def Leppard intro and then turns into Asia. War (Battle Wounds of Life) has an intriguing title but turns out to be bland and fairly tuneless. Get to You is a soppy love song and is totally out of place and nearly unlistenable…

Production is superb throughout and the playing is faultless. Vocals could be a little stronger in places. The most obvious reference for the overall style is a cross between John Payne era Asia with some Magnum, Angel, House of Lords and “H” era Marillion thrown into the mix.

An album and of real highs and lows – it’s a shame that the songs couldn’t have continued in the same vein as the title track…nice artwork though.

***

Album review by Phil Berisford

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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 1 December 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 3 December 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 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)