Frontiers [Release date 6.12.24]
There really should have been some kind of fanfare, a blaze of publicity, to accompany the release of Voila, debut album from Adam Payne, ex Airrace, and Mark Powell, ex Psycho Kiss.
In this post-AOR age, high calibre melodic rock is hard to find. Voila opens up a rich seam, with tracks like ‘No Escape’ and ‘Staring At The Sun’ both being emblematic of an era that peaked quickly, before being holed below the water line by corporate rock, und ultimately, by grunge.
Every vocalist wants to be unique. A blessing and a curse. But it’s hard to avoid observing that Payne’s vocals are reminiscent of the standout vocalists who flew the AOR flag high in the eighties, like Marcie Free and Terry Brock.
It’s also hard to avoid observing the maturity in composition and production on display here. ‘Taking Back Yesterday’ and ‘The Storm’ are two monster melodic rock songs, each with a sustained chorus of depth and quality. Moody, adult rock songs, with almost subliminal, low key backing vocals … all inventively arranged on what must have been a modest studio budget.
It comes as a surprise that of the album’s eleven tracks, there are three ballads.
The first, ‘Questions’, a whispered prayer of a lover’s wisdom, is a satisfying trip into southern rock territory.
A proudly old fashioned piano ballad ‘Fly High’ is flavoured with grain and grit in its every move… every bar of music, every line of lyrics. A life lesson. Nothing new here, but sung with genuine passion and conviction.
The softer rocking ‘Distance Between Us’ is something that Peter Cetera or Richard Marx might have done. It’s got class, it sets out sweetly, eventually rising to a kitchen sink crescendo. It simply soars on the imagination of a great AOR band.
You could say that for the entire album. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
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 2 March 2025.
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 on 4 March 2025
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 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (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.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
