Tag Archives: Chicago

Album review : JIM PETERIK and WORLD STAGE – Roots and Shoots Vol 2

Posted on August 1, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 09.08.24] Peterik needs no introduction, but we’ll introduce him anyway. Most famously, he was guitarist and songwriter with Survivor, as well as several other charting bands. It’s all well documented online. But that was then. Nowadays, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chicago, Frontiers, Jason Scheff, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, Neil Donnell, review, Survivor | Leave a comment

Album review : THE LADDER – S/T (Remaster)

Posted on June 17, 2024 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date : 24.05.24] Another “obscure” 1980’s American AOR album, rescued by Rock Candy Records. It was “big in Japan” though. Aren’t they all. The Ladder – writers Joe and Lou Parente, with vocalist Frank Mancano – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, ATCO, Chicago, David Foster, Frank Mancano, Joe Parente, Lou Parente, Philadelphia, review, Rock Candy, The Ladder | Leave a comment

Album review : CARE OF NIGHT – Reconnected

Posted on November 6, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 17.11.23] Third album from rising Swedish AOR/Melodic Rock band, Care Of Night. Vocalist Calle Schonberg, guitarist Ostrom Berg and producer, Erik Wigelius have shifted the band’s sound up several notches. There’s a strong and welcome resemblance … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Care of Night, Chicago, Erik Wigelius, Johnny Hates Jazz, melodic rock, Peter Cetera, review, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

Album review : VITALINES – Wheels Within Wheels

Posted on October 18, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 20.10.23] Vitalines is Tommy Denander and Robbie LaBlanc. Two musicians who need little or no introduction to the Melodic Rock fraternity. You might immediately be intrigued by the song titles. Several catch your eye: ‘Cards From Another … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alias, AOR, Chicago, Frontiers, melodic rock, MrMister, review, Robbie LaBlanc, Survivor, Tommy Denander, Toto, Vitalines, Wheels Within Wheels | Leave a comment

Album review : STEEL BARS – A Rock Tribute To Michael Bolton – V/A

Posted on July 4, 2023 by brianmc

Steel Bars - A Tribute to Michael Bolton

Frontiers [Release date: 07.07.23] Any adult remotely interested in popular music will have heard of Michael Bolton. His songs have been compiled to within an inch of their lives and have become the language of lurrve on late nite radio, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Rock Tribute To Michael Bolton, album, Anna Nikolic, Barry White, Big Time, Chicago, Desmond Child, Drive She Said, Frontiers, James Robledo, Jim Peterik, Jonathan Cain, Mark Mangold, Michael Bolton, Neven Brankovic, Percy Sledge, Randy Goodrum, review, Santiago Ramonda, Steel Bars, Steve Overland, Steve Perry, Steven Nvyqvuist, Toto, Touch | Leave a comment

Album review: CACTUS – Evil Is Going On (The Atco Albums 1970-72, 8 CDs)

Posted on October 24, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 28.10.22] Quite some Cactus boxset. Cherry Red have repackaged all of the Blues Rock legends’ releases into a sturdy 8 CD box. It contains the 4 studio albums recorded 1972-74, and 4 albums’ worth of live … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged .38 Special, album review, Bill DeYoung, Black Oak Arakansas, blues rock, Carmen Appice, Chicago, Eddie Kramer, Jim McCarty, Kiss, Little Richard, live, Mose Allison, Rusty Day, Stones, studio, Ted Nugent, Tim Bogert, Vanilla Fudge, Willie Dixon | Leave a comment

Album review: GENERATION RADIO

Posted on October 8, 2022 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 05.08.22] Generation Radio may have a name that suggests AOR and melodic rock, however, another key ingrediant in their sound is country rock provided by Jay DeMarcus, formerly of Rascal Flatts. Rascal Flatts had numerous number one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chicago, country, Frontiers, Generation Radio, Jason Scheff, Jay DeMarcus, Journey, Rascal Flatts, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DURHAM COUNTY POETS – Out Of The Woods

Posted on August 18, 2022 by petefeenstra

Durham County Poets - Out Of The Woods jpeg

Self release [Release date: 18.05.22] The Durham County Poets is a Quebec based, soul driven, horn powered roots-rock band that is equally at home playing white boy soul, blues, funk, boogie, r&b, gospel and Americana. Their strength lies in their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Americana, blues, Bod Dylan, boogie, Chicago, Durham County Poets, funk, gospel, Kevin Harvey, Out Of The Woods, R&B, review, roots. album, soul, The Band, Van Morrison | 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: JOEY MOLLAND – Be True To Yourself

Posted on August 26, 2020 by jason

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 16.10.20] As the sole surviving member of the classic line-up of Badfinger, Joey Molland’s pedigree in power pop circles is second to none. Over the years he has regularly produced solo albums, notably “After The Pearl” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Badfinger, Be True To Yourself, Chicago, Joey Molland, Julian Lennon, melodic, Micky Dolenz, pop rock, power pop, review, Ringo Starr | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAMPLIN WILLIAMS FRIESTEDT – 2

Posted on May 5, 2020 by andynathan

Black Lodge [Release Date 15.05.20] In that genre of the softest and smoothest AOR given the shorthand ‘West coast’, CWF are something of a superstar collaboration. Former Chicago singer and keyboard player Bill Champlin and Joseph Williams, singer with Toto … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Champlin Williams Friestedt, Chicago, CWF, Michael McDonald, soft rock, Toto, West Coast | 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: MARK BAKER – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

Posted on July 11, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 26.07.19] The name Mark Baker may not be immediately recognizable to many, but he is the man behind the classic Signal ‘Loud & Clear’ album as well as many other songs for the likes of .38 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bill Champlin, Chicago, Classic Albums, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, JK Northrup, Marcie Free, Mark Baker, Mark Free, melodic rock, MelodicRockRecords, reviews, Signal | Leave a comment

Album review: BOULEVARD – IV Luminescence

Posted on August 19, 2017 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.09.17] Here’s a band I thought I’d never hear new music from and I am very glad to be proved wrong. Boulevard are a Canadian band who released two albums – 1988′s self-titled debut and 1990′s ‘Into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, AOR, Boulevard, Chicago, IV Luminescence, melodic, review, rock, Toto | Leave a comment

Gig review: MOONDANCE JAM – Walker, Minnesota, USA, 21-23 July 2016

Posted on August 5, 2016 by andynathan

Considering the previous generation thought rock n roll was a passing fad, and given the pace of change in the industry, it is a substantial feat for any rock festival to reach a 25 year milestone. It is even more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 21-23 July 2016, Blues Traveler, Boston, Bush, Chevelle, Chicago, festival, Firehouse, Foghat, gig, Godsmack, Kix, LITTLE RIVER BAND, Loverboy, Minnesota, Moondance Jam, Queensryche, review, Sixx:AM, Thundherstruck, USA, Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAMPLIN, WILLIAMS, FRIESTEDT – CWF

Posted on October 18, 2015 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.10.15] CWF is a West Coast AOR supergroup teaming up Toto’s Joseph Williams with former Chicago vocalist Bill Champlin and guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt. The trio have released a live DVD already and Williams & Friestedt released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bill Champlin, Champlin, Chicago, CWF, Friestedt, Joseph Williams, melodic rock, Peter Friestedt, review, Toto, West Coast, Williams | Leave a comment

News: ANVIL, TIM BOWNESS, REO SPEEDWAGON – Thursday 30 April 2015

Posted on April 30, 2015 by jason

Burning Point release their self-titled new album on June 12th on their new record label AFM Records. Supremacy is a new band featuing singer Claus Lessmann (ex-BONFIRE), Michael Voss (CASANOVA/MAD MAX),Robby Boebel (ex-FRONTLINE/EVIDENCE ONE), Axel Kruse (ex-JADED HEART) and former … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged anvil, AOR, Boston, Chicago, classic, grunge, indie, metal, news, Paul McArtney, pomp, REO Speedwagon, rock, Stone Temple Pilots, Tim Bowness, tours | Leave a comment

News: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SLIPKNOT, PRETTY THINGS – Tuesday 20 January 2015

Posted on January 20, 2015 by jason

The Polydor albums of Yngwie Malmsteen are collected in a new four-CD box set, ‘Now Your Ships Are Burned’, due for release on February 23rd. The box set includes Rising Force (1984), Marching Out (1985), Trilogy (1986), Odyssey (1988) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged box set, Chicago, gigs, metal, news, rock, SLIPKNOT, The Pretty Things, Yngwie Malmsteen | Comments Off

Gig review: MELODIC ROCK FEST 4, H.O.M.E.Bar, Arlington Heights,Chicago, USA, 3-5 October 2014

Posted on October 22, 2014 by andynathan

The Radio Sun - Melodic Rock Fest 4, Chicago, October 2014

After the success of the third Melodic Rock Fest last September, the attempt to bring to the Americans the cult melodic rock bands that are seen at Firefest and other places, melodicrock.com supremo Andrew McNeice swiftly moved forward with plans … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 7th Heaven, Adriangale, AOR, Bombay Black, Chicago, Eighty Six Happiness, festival, Gary Moon, gig, Grand Design, Guardian, H.E.A.T., Heaven's Edge, House Of Shakira, Jim Peterik, Johnny Lima, Madman's Lullaby, Maxx Explosion, melodic rock, Melodic Rock Fest 4, Mitch Malloy, Paul Laine, Radio Sun, STAN BUSH, Talon, Tango Down, USA, Work Of Art | Comments Off

Quick plays: BLACK 4, MIKE CAMPESE

Posted on September 3, 2014 by david.wilson

BLACK 4 –The Tales of Cuatro Negro Self Release (Release date – out now ) Black 4 are a quartet from Chicago who formed in 2011. They play raw rock and roll mixed with a touch of punk and metal. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Black 4, Black Sabbath, Chameleon, Chicago, Clutch, funk, Kyuss, metal, Mike Campese, review, rock, shred.metal, The Tales of Cuatro Negro, Trans Siberian Orchestra, TSO | Leave a comment

Album review: CHICAGO – Chicago XXXVI:Now

Posted on July 14, 2014 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 04.07.14] Chicago’s enduring habit of numbering each of their albums consecutively only draw attention to their longevity. XXXVI is their first album of new material since 2006’s XXX, and while the latter saw them collaborating with … Continue reading →