Tag Archives: AOR

Album review: LOVERBOY – Loverboy and Get Lucky (Remasters)

Posted on October 24, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 24.09.21] Selling 6 million between them, Loverboy’s self titled debut (1980) and follow up, Get Lucky (1981), have now had the treatment from Rock Candy Records. Forty years of remastering evolution has brought us to … Continue reading →

Album review: LEVERAGE – Above The Beyond

Posted on October 14, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.10.21] AOR, Melodic Rock, Power Metal, Progmetal … Leverage are none of these yet they are all of these. On their 5th album now and the music gets harder to define and easier to admire. It’s perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Brother Firetribe, heavy metal, Kansas, Kimmo Blom, melodic rock, progrock, review, Robbie Steinhardt, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2021 – December 2021

Posted on September 30, 2021 by jason

TONY MITCHELL – Hot Endless Summer Nights

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January-March 2021 April-June 2021 July-September 2021 January-June 2022 October 1st ASKING ALEXANDRIA ‘See What’s On The Inside’ Better Noise Music RONNIE ATKINS (PRETTY MAIDS) ’4 More Shots’ (EP) Frontiers BLACK SABBATH ‘Technical Ecstasy’ (4CD, 5LP) BMG … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged alternative, AOR, blues, CD/DVD, folk, indie, melodic rock, metal, New releases, October 2021 – December 2021, pop, prog, rock, upcoming | Leave a comment

Feature: Albums that time forgot…THE STORM (Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, Steve Smith)

Posted on September 13, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Interscope/Atlantic 1991 The Storm is very much a case of “what we did in our down time”. With Journey on hiatus in the late eighties Neal Schon formed Bad English then Hardline (debut album Double Eclipse in 1992) whilst Journey … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged album, AOR, feature, Gregg Rolie, Josh Ramos, Journey, Kevin Chalfant, melodic rock, review, Ross Valory, Steve Smith, the Storm | Leave a comment

Album review: NEWMAN – Into The Monsters’ Playground

Posted on September 11, 2021 by andynathan

AOR Heaven (Release date 10.09.21) For a remarkable near quarter of a century Steve Newman has turned out a series of finely crafted albums. He never remotely hinted at the big time, but as compensation his name enjoys almost universal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, melodic rock, NEWMAN, Steve Newman | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER H NILSSON – Sign Of Myself

Posted on September 11, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Peter H Nilsson’s debut ‘Little American Dream’ was a very enjoyable AOR/ West Coast listen and still played regularly by this reviewer. The good news is that this follow-up album sees Nilsson still teamed up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Biano, melodic rock, Peter H Nilsson, review, Sign Of Myself, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PETAL FALLS – All These Years

Posted on September 10, 2021 by jason

[Release date 03.09.21] Just about a year ago I reviewed this band’s debut album, ‘Workin All Night, Workin All Day’ and I was literally blown away. I knew then that this band had reach and would appeal to a broader … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All These Years, AOR, Keith Leahy, melodic rock. rock, review, the Petal Falls | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS- Undisputed

Posted on August 27, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 06.08.21) Blood Red Saints’ fourth album sees them come full circle, not only with a return to Frontiers Records, but to the style of their impressive debut album before exploring a more guitar dominated and modern … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Blood Red Saints, Lee Revill, melodic rock, Pete Godfrey | Leave a comment

Album review: CRUZH – Tropical Thunder

Posted on August 14, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.08.21] Cruzh is back with a new vocalist, Alex Waghorn, in a belated follow-up to 2016’s self-titled debut. Waghorn joined Cruzh in 2019 when the band released an acoustic version of ‘Aim For The Head’. Now, Waghorn, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alex Waghorn, AOR, Cruzh, Def Leppard, Frontiers, hard rock, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: TOBY HITCHCOCK- Changes

Posted on July 25, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 09.07.21) Less than a year after the latest Pride of Lions album and only two after his ‘Reckoning’ release, powerhouse singer Toby Hitchcock is back in fairly short order with his third solo album. After using … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, AOR, melodic rock, Pride of Lions, Toby Hitchcock | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – For Free

Posted on July 11, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 23.07.21] David Crosby has been prolific as a recording artist, despite various health issues, and he is back with his fifth solo album since 2014. Joining Crosby on the record are Michael McDonald, Donald Fagen, Sarah Jarosz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Byrds, classic rock, CSN, David Crosby, Donald Fagen, folk, For Free, James Raymond, jazz, Joan Baez, melodic, Michael McDonald, review, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS DE YOUNG – 26 East, Volume 2

Posted on July 1, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 11.06.21) This is an album I’ve been looking forward to for 12 months since the release of Volume 1. That represented the former Styx singer’s return to his melodic rock roots in far better fashion than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dennis De Young, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, pomp rock, Styx | Leave a comment

Album review: ONE DESIRE – One Night Only- Live in Helsinki (CD/DVD)

Posted on June 27, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 11.06.21) In normal times, it might seem vainglorious for a band to issue a live CD and DVD just two albums into their career. However, in these strange times it is easy to empathise with One … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, AOR, live album, melodic rock, One Desire | Leave a comment

Album review: NITRATE – Renegade

Posted on June 24, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 30.07.21] Nitrate are back with album number three and it is all change in the line-up. Nick Hogg remains joined by a new vocalist, Art Nation’s Alexander Strandell, Alessandro Del Vecchio (keys, backing vocals) and lead … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 80's rock, album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, AOR, Def Leppard, melodic rock, Nitrate, review, Starship, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: TOTO – With A Little Help From My Friends

Posted on June 22, 2021 by andynathan

The Players Club/Mascot Label Group (Release Date 25.06.21) Last November Toto broadcast a live stream from California, which in the absence of concerts was the only way to introduce to the wider world their new line up in which Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Joseph Williams, live album, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: KENT HILLI – The Rumble

Posted on June 13, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 18.06.21] After two albums fronting A Perfect Plan, Kent Hilli has gone solo (helped by wunderkind, Michael Palace, who has arranged and produced), with The Rumble, on which he has written the bulk of the material. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Perfect Plan, album, AOR, Crown Of Thorns, eighties, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giant, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Michael Palace, review, Survivor, the Storm | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – Ojai

Posted on June 13, 2021 by jason

www.michaelarmstrongmusic.co.uk [Release date 25.06.21] London-born, singer songwriter Michael Armstrong releases his third studio album, which going by the press releases is a modern take on the ‘Yacht Rock’ genre. As Michael explains – “In 2018 I was invited to join … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Ben Folds, melodic, Michael Armstrong, Ojai, pop, review, soft rock, Yacht rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LOU GRAMM – Questions And Answers (3CD Atlantic Years Anthology, 1987-89)

Posted on May 23, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 28.05.21] As with most rock bands, the singer and guitarist driving force is a dynamic that ultimately shudders to a halt, at least on a temporary basis: Steven Tyler/ Joe Perry. Mick Jagger/ Keith Richards. Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, anthology, AOR, Dann Huff, Foreigner, Giant, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, Mick Jones, Nils Lofgren, Peter Wolf, Question And Answer, review | Leave a comment

Album review: VINCE DICOLA – Only Time Will Tell

Posted on May 22, 2021 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 11.06.21] Vince DiCola is a musician / songwriter from Pennsylvania and relocated to LA in 1981 to advance his career. In the early to mid-eighties Vince was involved in some well-known film scores such as ‘Staying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bobby Kimball, Chicago, Escape Music, Kansas, melodic rock, Only Time Will Tell, prog rock, review, Steve Walsh, Toto, Vince DiCola | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL FURY – Affairs In Babylon

Posted on May 20, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 28.05.21] Michael Fury are a band, as opposed to a solo artist, having formed in 1979 by vocalist/guitarist Myles Hunter (Avalon), bassist Martyn Jones and guitarist Rob Kennedy. They played a fair few gigs in their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Affairs In Babylon, album, AOR, AOR Heaven, melodic rock, Refugee, reissue, review | Leave a comment

Album review: SAVE THE WORLD – Two

Posted on May 19, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 07.05.21] Save The World is chief songwriter Dan Tracey (guitar, vocals, piano, keyboards, percussion) and Robert Wright (bass, vocals, keyboards, drums, guitars, strings, percussion and producer). Dan Tracey currently plays guitar and sings in the Alan Parsons … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Brad Delp, Frontiers, melodic rock, progressive, review, rock, Save The World, Two | Leave a comment

News: ASIA, ANTHRAX, TOBY HITCHCOCK, GENESIS (May 2021)

Posted on May 1, 2021 by jason

Dream Theater - Manchester O2 Apollo, 13 February 2014

Alter Bridge plan to record their next album in 2022. Joan Armatrading’s new album ‘Consequences’ is released on June 18 via BMG. Asia are celebrating their 40th anniversary by releasing a 5CD boxset ‘The Reunion Albums: 2007 – 2012′ through … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Anthrax, AOR, Asia, blues, Darkthrone, festivals, folk, Genesis, gigs, Hardline, metal, Michael Wagner, news, prog, rock, Toby Hitchcock, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: STINGRAY (Remaster with bonus track)

Posted on April 18, 2021 by brianmc

Bad Reputation France [Release date 05.03.21] Enterprising French label, Bad Reputation, has been bringing some excellent new material to our attention recently. But for now we’ll focus on some classic blasts from the past, beginning with criminally overlooked South African … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Reputation, Boston, melodic rock, REO Speedwagon, review, South Africa, Stingray, Styx | Leave a comment

Album review: TEMPLE BALLS – Pyromide

Posted on April 16, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.03.21] Despite the diabolically bad band name, Temple Balls’ popularity and reputation continue to grow. Produced by Jonah (HEAT) Tee, Pyromide is their third album. Their high energy melodic rock songs have a bright, brash ebullience. But … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Frontiers, H.E.A.T., Jonah Tee, melodic rock, Pyromide, review, Temple Balls | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBBIE LaBLANC – Double Trouble

Posted on April 14, 2021 by andynathan

Escape Music (Release date 16.04.21) Robbie LaBlanc is not only one of the melodic rock world’s most admired singers, but increasingly its most prolific. It’s only a few months since I reviewed the East Temple Avenue album he lent his … Continue reading →