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Fred?ric Slama is back a new album with his A.O.R project and once again some great AOR/Westcoast musicians has helped him out.
It don?t have as many as Tommy Denander had on the last Radioactive album but Fred?ric has gathered stars such as Steve Lukather, Phil Bardowell, Dane Donohue, Peter Friestedt, Michael Landau and of course Tommy Denander who is everywhere at the moment.
Those that are familiar with the previous albums knows that were talking Westcoast with AOR influences that sounds like a mixture of Toto, Radioactive and other past projects with Tommy Denander (Prisoner, Rainmaker and Deacon Street Project).
But I have say that this is not in the same league or quality at all,sure there are a couple of moments on the album that make you lift your eyebrows but in the whole run this is an album that will not make a bigger noice.
Many of the songs are way to ordinary.
The only songs that are worth mentioning are "How Could I Ever Forgive Her"," One More Chance", "Like An Open Book" and "I Won?t Give Up On You" that are nice Westcoast/AOR songs but those won?t save this album.
There are better albums in this genre and even with Mr. Denander involved, he can?t save this album. I wonder how they can put a cheese song like Give A Little Love on the album, it sounds like Michael Bolton and has nothing to do with Westcoast or AOR.
Buy the last Radioactive album instead, next one........ |
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Earlier this year, Fr?d?ric Slama released the latest A.O.R album called "L.A Attraction", while "L.A Concession" is the first album from 2000 that was only released as a strictly limited private pressing on CD-R only and has appeared on eBay lately with high biddings.
So now MTM Classix serie has given this album a proper release with 4 bonus tracks and a new full colour booklet with lyrics and also fully remastered.
Mr. Slama has gathered a WestCoast/AOR all-star line up on this album with names like Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, Michael Landau, Tommy Denander, Michael Thompson, Richard Page and many more. This is an album that will be loved by the Westcoast fans for sure even if the production is not the strongest and I personally don?t think the songs hold the best quality all the way.
It misses the real standout tracks that would give this album one more star.
Sure there are a couple of nice ones like the Asia sounding "Worlds Away" that has nice melodies and a good chorus.
Another great track is "Leave Her To Heaven" which is a light AOR-rocker with a catchy chorus.
"Caught Inside Your Heart" is another song that is worth mentioning, "Only In My Dreams" is a nice WestCoast ballad.
The bonus tracks are "Can One Of Your Kiss Do All This", "Secrets In Her Heart", "The Spark Of My Soul" and "Never Gonna Let You Go" (new instrumental version).
These songs goes in the same style as the whole album without making a standing out. Just OK songs nothing more. Well, if you own the other albums with A.O.R but misses this one then this is a sure buy. |
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Frédéric Slama is back with his AOR project where he has yet again gathered an impressive line-up of some of AOR/Westcoast heroes on Journey To L.A.
The previous AOR albums had good moments but they have never been good through the whole albums. This new one is a lot better with great songs and Journey To L.A is more AORish than before but don’t worry you get a lot Westcoast as well.
Like before, you will recognize the first class singers that has joined Mr. Slama on this latest AOR album. Philip Bardwell (Places Of Power, Unruly Child) handles the vocals mostly. Other singers that are involved are Steve Overland (FM), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Dane Donohue and Bill Champlin (Chicago) so you know that you get first class vocal performances.
Waiting In The Darkness with Steve Overland is a fantastic AOR-song with a strong chorus in a Radioactive meets FM way.
Did I say that Steve sings outstanding. Don’t Turn Back sounds like it could have come from a Denander album with Prisoner, Radioactive or Rainmaker.
Just For Love is a great AOR/WC song with a great chorus where you get dut-dut keyboards and you will hear a lot Toto on this one.
There’s a new version of Desperate Dreams and this is a wet dream for AOR-lovers. The chorus is brilliant in the same vein as Pride Of Lions. Classy stuff where Fergie sings superb.
Never Surrender is also strong with a nice chorus. The Toto-ish Heartless is great with strong melodies, keyboards and a catchy chorus.
West Into The Sun is a pure slice of Westcoast that fans of this genre will love for sure.
There’s also a new version of Lost In Your Eyes but that’s the only one they could have left out even if Bill Champlin sings great - I think this is too poppy Westcoast.
The last song, You’re My Obsession is a great instrumental song that could fit on a soundtrack, great song.
Mr. Workaholic Tommy Denander is involved pretty much with everything on this album because he plays on it and he has co-produced and mixed the album with great result.
Yes, the production and sound is really good on this new one and the songs holds much higher quality than before.
This was a pleasant surprise that both AOR and Westcoast fans will enjoy, strongest AOR album so far. Oh, almost forgot to mention that Steve Lukather plays on this as well. |
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I got a bit disappointed after i heard that the promising band Spur58 had split-up. After the albums “Image of new” (2002), the excellent “Blessed catastrophy” (2005) and “Sleepwalkers” (2006) the band called it a day.
After a while i asked myself..what has become of the members of this band? So i Googled the name of leadsinger Aaron Ivey and i found on his website that he had released an album in his own name. The album was released in 2009 and is a must for all Spur58 fans out there. It’s more like a Spur58 reunion because the musicians are no more than the ex-Spur58 members Jimmie Ingram on Guitars, Steven Bush on Bass and Guy Roberts on Drums. The only one that is gone is guitarist Chad Martin.
As for the Music there hasn’t changed much. We still get a good portion of pianobased modern rock. “Found” brings you right into melodicrock-heaven. Listen to these heavy guitars, excellent lead- and backingvocals and the great melodies. “Oh love divine” continious in the same vein as the opener. Go with the flow with songs like “Pieces”, “Let Your kingdom come” to end the album with a duet in the re-arranged spiritual “It is well with my soul”.
I am glad that Ivey and co are still around in the musicscene. Love this album! |
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Canadian guitarist Aaron Stanley Kronis new album sounds like nothing he has done before,this time he has recorded an effort
that unites the world of guitar rock a la Stevie Salas & Eric Gales and more catchy radio ready modern rock.
The result is too good to be left unheard,the album opens really
good with the new single ?Yours forever? but then it just gets better and better and the second half of the album is a joy ride
into melodic heaven.
His covers of Joe Satriani?s ?Summer song? and 80?s band Breathe?s old hit ?Hands to heaven? leaves no more to wish for,truly awesome versions but his own songs ?Without you? and ?So sedated? rock
big time and with these songs I can only say that Aaron is a damn good songwriter!
HIGHLIGHTS:Yours forever,Without you,So sedated |
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From San Antonio, Texas comes another great band in the same vein as The Killers and Coldplay.
Let me introduce you to Abandon and their new digital EP, I am amazed by how well crafted these songs are - they even have a bigger sound than The Killers and Coldplay.
The songs might not be as classic as the hits from these 2 gigantic bands but none of the songs on this 5 track EP would be entirely wrong as an album track with The Killers or Coldplay either.
You easily hum along to these songs and the band sure knows how to aim for the sensitive parts of the body, the heart and mind - most people with an urge to hear infectious radio oriented pop / rock will melt when they hear "Providence" or "All because of you".
And the other 3 tracks are just as good, the closing track "Atmosphere" even bring thoughts to Mute Math - how cool isn´t that?!
More Arena Rock for the world! |
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I first heard the latest 5 track EP "The Earth Falls Asleep" with this band and immediately knew I had to hear their debut full length "You build a wall, I´ll build a ladder" as well.
I was impressed by their frontman Jeremy Spring´s strong vocals, it´s not too often you get to hear a singer this good but Jeremy can carry the songs himself.
4 songs off this album were re-recorded in acoustic versions on the new EP and I loved them so it´s almost like they are getting new life the other way around when I hear these full band versions on "You build a wall".
This Christian trio has found a perfect mix between alternative rock and emo, you can describe their sound as a cousin to bands like JamisonParker, Armor For Sleep and The Ataris (their latest album).
Great album! |
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| Piano driven alternative rock and grunge tendencies makes a perfect formula if you ask Abandon Kansas, their new album "Ad astra per aspera" is a real nice combination of atmospheric rock and Chris Cornell-like vocals. Their debut "You build a wall, I´ll build a ladder" from 2008 was quite impressive and the band doesnt disappoint with the new album either, if you want a taste of what this band is all about, you can download a free 4 song EP on Amazon featuring 2 tracks off the new album along with 2 non album tracks. This is great music dear friends, just listen to "Heaven come my way" or "Liar". Songs made for the arenas. |
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| Abarax is a progressive rock band from Germany that debuted with "Crying of the whales" in 2006 and recently released their 2nd album "Blue room", you could say they play slow progrock in the same vein as Camel, Pink Floyd and IQ but not on the same level songwise. There are some nice moments on their new album but almost an hour of music feels way too much and I find myself staring at the watch. "As we spoke" is the best track that features some really great fretless bassplaying, well it´s a decent album but I don´t feel any urge of listening to their first album either. |
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| Cd baby is sure a nice place to find cool independent music. If you havent been there go to cdbaby.com an search for related artist to your favourite ones and you will find a lot of new really nice ones. The guys can be found there and is a Christian act playing edgy modern rock ala Puddle of mudd. Those guys are softer than Fred Durts discovery and have a little bit more Audio Adrenaline in their sound. Weve got 10 songs on Blind man and the first half is more interesting than the second half which loses quality a little bit. The opener "Blind man" is very cool rocker with a nice verse, which ends up in a more up-tempo chorus. But my favourite one is the forth-out "Simple honesty" with some nice west coast giving this lovely ballad an extra slick mood. With more songs with quality the grading would have been higher, but its an ok album and worth checking up at cdbaby.com |
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The Portland based trio Above The Golden State is led by singer/songwriter Michael Watson and he´s joined by Tim Aylward on keyboards and Brook Mosser on drums (Telecast).
Their self titled debut album on Sparrow records is a timeless christian rock/pop affair influenced by bands like Weezer and Delirious?.
You can describe their sound as westcoast rock meeting good ol´ powerpop, there´s no doubt this record is done by pro´s - every single melody, music part and song arrangement is classy.
This is music to daydream to or just get in the right feel-good mood, I would like to applause Michael Watson´s fantastic vocal performance.
For fans of Seven Places, Mainstay and David Crowder Band. |
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I will add a bunch of older reviews I did back in the late 90?s when I had my old fanzine The Midwestern Skies. I will mainly add reviews of CD?s that are worth and deserves your attention like this girl who was one of the founding members of Poi Dog Pondering in 1986. Although Poi Dog went on to earn a devoted cult following after signing to major label Columbia, Moore left the group in the early 1990s to pursue a solo career; her debut LP, Sing ? an intimate folk-pop collection ? appeared on the Bohemia Beat label in 1995. After signing to the Arista Austin label, she resurfaced in 1997 with Strangest Places, an edgier set which moved closer to contemporary alternative rock. She have to date released four soloalbums and the last one came out in 2004
Another modern sounding girl with her heart into melodies. Abra?s album is a really nice piece of music. This doesn?t sound Morisette though it?s still a modern girl, no more like Rebecka St James and Sarah Masen in the sound. I like this album a lot. One of the best girlalbums from last year (read 1997). Why I think I like it a lot is her soft and cute voice. Not at all so aggresive as many of her colleagues. More a "Nina of Cardigans" voice and a little bit of Shawn Colvin. Add a great production with cool ideas delivered by Jack Joseph and Mitch and we?re at the end of this review. Third out ?Strangest Places? is a killer and so is ?Your Faithful Friend?. |
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This is the Ep of Abramham the Poor, a.k.a. singer/songwriter Josh Gaines. The Pumpkin Patch Cabin Ep is written, performed and recorded by Josh himself.
Good things first, Josh does have a nice voice, although not unique in any way. He also manages to vary the tempo of the songs and not just record slow songs with the acoustic guitar.
The problem is that the songs tend to sound unfinished, it sounds like the demo versions of the songs. I keep getting the feeling that Josh could have used the help of an experienced producer in order to make the songs take off. Now they have potential but still sounds like the need to be worked on a little bit more. The only song that feels really interesting is the last one, "Future Homes"
I really want to like this, but I keep feeling that something is missing. With better songs and a more complex production, Abraham the Poor could be a nice acquaintance, now it stops at just ok. |
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Here’s another band in the jungle of modern rock. These boys play in the same vein as Saving Abel and Stereoside, competent modern rock with some edge to it. Another reference is 3 Doors Down, which is maybe an even better one actually.
This self titled album contains a mix of rockers and slower, more acoustic songs. It starts off with the hard hitting Paper Trail and follows up with more rockers until the softer fifth song Every Time I Try. One track to mention of those is the one called Que Sera Sara? This song has a very infectious chorus that sticks on your brain quite easily. Paper Trail also sticks somehow, although I cannot say that it is a special song. Well done I guess haha!
From there AoC keep rocking all the way to my absolute favorite track, OK For a While. It is a beautiful ballad which I can’t get out of my head, a wonderful song! Right after that come Waiting for the Sun which is also a good tune. Here I can smell some 3DD influences. The last track, Supernova Suicide, is the heaviest track on the album and it is not one of my favorites. It has got some dodgy Theory of a Deadman vibes to it. But one bad song does not tip a whole record and overall this is another band well worth checking out.
To the big problem for AoC; they have all the things they need to be a great band; however, do they really stand out from the pack here? There are so many other bands out there that you have to produce something extra to be heard. I do not believe that these guys do that. But somehow, their tunes stick on my mind and that cannot be a bad thing, can it? I have to say that I rather listen to this than the super hyped Nickelback guys.
I think this album will be perfect for just hanging out with your friends, maybe the soundtrack to a nice BBQ evening with steaks and beer? It is too bad that they are not alone in their genre, so to say. Anyway, in times of really crappy mainstream music I know that when I hear music like this – I’ll be OK for a while. |
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| Memphis based modern rock band Absence of Concern released their debut "Open letters to a closed mind" in 2006 and then followed up with the Skidd Mills produced self titled album in 2008. This 10 track debut album doesn´t sound as good as the 2nd one, there is too much low budget over this album, just listen to the drums that sounds like a poor demo. The music is ok, the rocker "Assume nothing" works rather well while other songs like "American reject" and "Goodbye" are typical mainstream modern rock songs that you´ve heard a thousand times before. The band has toured with Element 80, Hurt, Seether, Crossfade and 12 Stones but it has been rather quiet from this southern flavored rock band ever since 2008. Guitarist and founder Jon Dray Lee says "We wanted to do an album that exposes the close minded attitude of growing up in the Bible Belt" about the album title. |
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Did you know that?
OneRepublic broke records with their mega-hit "Apologize" when it was released, which became the most legally downloaded song in US digital history.
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latest reviews
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