Tag Archives: AOR

Book review: ON TRACK…Toto/The Solo Beatles/Steely Dan (“Every album, every song”)

Posted on February 19, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Pubishing [Publication date January/February 2020] Liked and loathed in equal measures by the music press in the 1970s and 1980s, ultimately the band may have had the last laugh. As author Jacob Holm-Lupp reiterates, their latest offering – XIV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, classic rock, Donald Fagen, fusion, George Harrison, Jazz rock, John Lennon, melodic rock, On Track, Paul McCartney, pop, review, Ringo Starr, Steely Dan, The Solo Beatles, Toto, Walter Becker | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD MARX – Limitless

Posted on February 12, 2020 by jason

BMG [Release date 07.02.20] Richard Marx returns with his first new album in over five years, produced in part by himself and featuring co-writes with Sara Bareilles, Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Darrell Brown (Dolly Parton, Keith Urban), his son Lucas and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Jana Kramer, Limitless, melodic, modern pop, review, Richard Marx | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT HART – Pure

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 20.02.20] Vocalist Robert Hart sang on one of my all-time favourite albums, ‘Under The One Sky’ by The Distance, added to his solo album ‘Cries & Whispers’ is still revered in AOR circles. He has also … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, classic rock, FM, funk, Power Station, Pure, review, Robert Hart, rock, synth pop, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – High Times, Live In Italy

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Michael Thompson’s reputation as the rock world’s original “go to guitarist” is unassailable. Though none is needed, he provides ample proof of his skill and virtuosity here. And understandably cashing in his cultural stock in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, AOR, Boston, DVD, Foreigner, Frontiers, guitarist, High Times Live In Italy, Larry King, live, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, review, Soleil Moon, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

News: FM, SKAGARACK, AIRRACE, NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA (January 2020)

Posted on January 5, 2020 by jason

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Got news? We want to hear it! Contact us now FM (pictured) have completed work on their new album and it will be released on Frontiers in April. THE DOGS D’AMOUR are planning to release a … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Airrace, album, AOR, classic rock, FM, gigs, January 2020, melodic rock, metal, Neil Innes, New releases, NEWMAN, news, Night Flight Orchestra, RIP, Skagarack, the Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: AUTUMN’S CHILD – Autumn’s Child

Posted on December 24, 2019 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 31.01.20] With Last Autumn’s Dream on hiatus due to the band members’ various commitments, vocalist Mikael Erlandsson has put together Autumn’s Child, which is a bit of a Swedish melodic rock ‘supergroup’. Joining him are HEAT’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Autumn’s Child, HEAT, Last Autumn’s Dream, melodic rock, Michael Erlandsson, review | Leave a comment

Album review: HOUSE OF SHAKIRA – Radiocarbon

Posted on December 18, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.12.19] Back in 1997, House Of Shakira were in the vanguard of Swedish bands who fanned the dying embers of Melodic Rock, reigniting the genre for a whole new generation of rock fans. And they were always … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andreas Eklund, AOR, Frontiers, hard rock, House Of Shakira, melodic rock, Radiocarbon, review | Leave a comment

Album Review : THE BABYS – Silver Dreams: The Complete Albums 1975-1980

Posted on December 11, 2019 by jason

Cherry Red Records [Release date 06.12.19] The Babys were indeed the launching pad for John Waite’s worldwide solo success and a key component of the CV that landed Jonathan Cain the job with Journey. But the band would never have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged AOR, box set, classic rock, John Waite, Jonathan Cain, Journey, melodic rock, review, Silver Dreams The Complete Albums 1975-1980, the Babys | Leave a comment

Gig review: HEAT FESTIVAL – Ludwigsburg, Germany, 30 November- 1 December 2019

Posted on December 11, 2019 by andynathan

Having grown steadily since its inception in 2008, the HEAT Festival in Ludwigsburg, just outside Stuttgart, can lay claim to being one of the longest continuously running melodic rock festivals in Europe. For most of the last few years their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Age of Reflection, AOR, Black Diamonds, Black Tiger, Blood Red Saints, Cats In Space, Crashdiet, Dark Sky, Degreed, Devicious, festival, gig, HEAT festival, Licence, Maverick, melodic rock, Robert Tepper, Stage Dolls, STAN BUSH, Treat, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: COLLATERAL – Collateral

Posted on December 10, 2019 by jason

In this hour special for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Pete Feenstra chats to Collateral’s Angelo Tristan. First broadcast 9 February 2020. www.collateralofficial.com [Release 21.02.20] The rock scene has seemingly never looked healthier and 2019 has seen some absolutely incredible … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Angelo Tristan, AOR, Bon Jovi, classic rock, Collateral, country rock, interview, melodic rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY – The Lounge, Archway, London, 8 November 2019

Posted on November 14, 2019 by andynathan

The list of successful UK melodic rock acts is a frustratingly short one, but Midnite City must be going about things the right way. After releasing a pair of excellent albums in short succession they recently enjoyed the prestige of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 November 2019, AOR, Archway, gig, London, lounge, melodic rock, Midnite City, Miles Meakin, Pete Newdeck, Rob Wylde, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Posted on November 13, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fates Warning, Inside Out, melodic, metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review, rock, Solo, What the Water Want | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DEFIANTS – Zokusho

Posted on October 14, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 13.09.19] Boasting three quarters of the Paul Laine-fronted Danger Danger line up that plugged on through melodic rock’s wilderness years, the Defiants debut was one of the best albums of 2016, but I can’t remember making … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruno Ravel, Danger Danger, melodic rock, Paul Laine, Rob Marcello, The Defiants | Leave a comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2019)

Posted on September 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Focus - Hard Rock Hell Prog, Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Your tour not listed? Contact us! Updated 08/12/2019 2019 ALABAMA 3 Fri December 20 O2 Academy Bristol Sat December 21 O2 Academy Brixton ALTER BRIDGE + … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS | Tagged 2019, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2019 – December 2019

Posted on September 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2019 April – June 2019 July – September 2019 October 4th SOREN ANDERSEN ‘Guilty Pleasures’ Mighty Music ANGEL ‘Risen’ Cleopatra Records Adrian Benegas ‘The Revenant’ Pride & Joy Music CHICAGO ‘Chicago Christmas’ Rhino … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2019, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, December, DVD, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, November, October, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) July 2019 – September 2019

Posted on September 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2019 April – June 2019 July 1st DAVID GELN EISLEY (ex-GUFFRIA, DIRTY WHITE BOY) ‘Tattered, Torn & Worn’ GANDALF’S FIST ‘The Clockwork Prologue’ (double LP) MAGENTA ‘Home’ (500 copy limited edition re-issue) THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2019, album, AOR, August, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, July, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock, September | Leave a comment

Album review: UNRULY CHILD – Big Blue World

Posted on September 18, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 09.08.19] The reunion of Unruly Child’s classic line up with original singer Marcie Free, which began with 2010’s excellent ‘Worlds Collide’, has stood the test of time with its fourth album since then. Two years ago, try … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gowdy, Guy Allison, Marcie Free, melodic rock, review, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROBERT TEPPER, JEREMY IVEY, INTO THE UNKNOWN

Posted on September 2, 2019 by jason

ROBERT TEPPER Better Than The Rest AOR Heaven [Release date 27.09.19] Robert Tepper is best known for his song ‘No Easy Way Out’, which was the theme to ‘Rocky IV’ and has been subsequently released in various dance remix guises, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, AOR, Better Than The Rest, country, Into The Unknown, Jeremy Ivey, melodic rock, Pablo Padilla, review, Robert Tepper, rock, Rocky IV, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SOLEIL MOON – Warrior

Posted on August 22, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 09.08.19] Soleil Moon formed as a collaboration between singer Larry King (Michael Thompson Band) and keyboardist John Blasucci (Dennis De Young) back in 1999 and have released two albums to date, both of which any self-respecting AOR … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dennis De Young, Frontiers, John Blasucci, Kelly Keagy, Larry King, melodic rock, Michael Thompson, Night Ranger, review, Soleil Moon | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL LANZON – 48 Seconds

Posted on August 10, 2019 by jason

Phil Lanzon Ditties/Cargo Records UK [Release date 02.08.19] Hot on the heels of last year’s ‘If You Think I’m Crazy’ Uriah Heep’s keyboards player Phil Lanzon is back with another solo album, which again sees him working with producer Simon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, big band, classic rock, Grand Prix, John Mitchell, keyboards, melodic rock, Mick O'Donohue, Miriam Grey, Phil Lanzon, pomp rock, review, Richard Cottle, Simon Hanhart, Uriah Heep | 2 Comments

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Mote Park, Maidstone – Day 1 – 19 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Once again the rock hordes decended on Mote Park in Maidstone for another weekend of rock, blues, good beer and good company. GRTR! despatched Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson to cover all the action, come rain or shine… Andy Nathan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19th July 2019, AC/DC, AOR, blues, FM, Ginger Wildheart, Justin Hawkins, Kris Barras Band, live, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, rock, Steve Overland, The Darkness, The Lazys, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JIMI ANDERSON GROUP, HOLLOW HAZE, HUMBLE PIE

Posted on July 23, 2019 by jason

JIMI ANDERSON GROUP I Belong AOR Heaven [Release date 30.08.19] Second album from the Jimi Anderson Group, which sees singer Jimi Anderson working again with producers/musicians Sandy Jones and Greame Duffin, plus guitarist David Cuthbert. There is nothing on here … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, Frontiers, Hollow Haze, Humble Pie, Jimi Anderson Group, melodic metal, melodic rock, power metal, Quick Play, review, Steve Marriott | Leave a comment

Album review: STRANDED – New Dawn

Posted on July 18, 2019 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 19.07.19] Stranded are the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Lewis Nitikman, who was in Stonebolt and on this album he is joined by fellow ex-Stonebolt member guitarist Ray Roper. On vocals is Troy Reid (check out his singing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Escape Music, melodic rock, Michael Bolton, New Dawn, reviews, Stranded, West Coast AOR | Leave a comment

Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Posted on July 14, 2019 by andynathan

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 … Continue reading →