ODDITY: RICHARD PAGE - Kyrie (Acoustic)

Acoustic version recorded in 2010 of the classic by his band, Mr MISTER, that in 1985 reached USA # 1, CAN # 1, UK # 11...

ESSENTIAL: BADLANDS - Dreams In The Dark

Dreams In The Dark was the first single from their debut album back in 89'. 1991 brought their second album entitled Voodoo Highway and two years later, sadly, vocalist Ray Gillen passed away. 1998 was the year of their posthumous release, Dusk... 24 carat band.

ESSENTIAL: THE ESCAPE CLUB - I'll Be There

From their third album Dollars & Sex came that gem called I'll Be There reaching USA # 8 and AUS # 43 in 1991... THE ESCAPE CLUB.

TOBY HITCHCOCK - Mercury's Down (Released: USA Aug 23th, 2011 - EU Aug 26th 2011)

Here we go with the first solo release by one of the greatest voices of AOR, Toby Hitchcock. When i listened the first single from this album i must confess that I felt so disappointed, and even now, i must say that i don't like This Is The Moment, but obviously, i decided to give the album a chance. When i first play the album and listened to the opener Strong Enough some kind of the same sansation came to me, i felt this song has an exacerbated energy like trying to prove something, but this time i found some nice backing vocals and catchy choruses, but when the cd played the third track How To Stop, suddenly everything changed, this song is awesome from the beggining to the end, starts in a smooth way built on guitars and keys that suddenly explode into a shot of energy with Toby's vocals leading the way. Chorus is magnificent, backing vocals are precious while an emotional backing guitar leads to a break that turns into another blast of music where Mr. Hitchcock reaches tones that most of singers  don't know exist. As a reference this song reminds to If I Fall by W.E.T. as you soon realise listening to chorus and, specially, in backing vocals very similar to those in W.E.T. song. How To Stop has some kind of melancholic touch all through the song that gives me goosebumps. This song is perfect.
Let Go is not exactly a mid-tempo but is slower than all previous tracks. Once again Toby's strong vocals shines surrounded by beautiful backing vocals. The last part of the track is an exhibition of how to achieve highest tones at the end of every sustained note... amazing.
One Day I'll Stop Loving You is an elegant and strong ballad with some female backing voices and some in-crescendo backing vocals that in the chorus has a little taste of QUEEN, but not in excess... one of a kind.
Now we jump to Summer Nights In Cabo wich starts with some guitars ala-U2 melting with piano in an intelligent wink of production that takes the melodic way acompained by electric guitar with catchy beautiful chorus and an energetic guitar solo, another great track. Tear Down The Barricades is straight Hard Rock with guitar work ala-WHITESNAKE, even with some double guitars, but always with melodic personality.
The rest of the album keeps the same vibe with songs full of energy with special atention to Just Say Goodbye that soon will catch you because of its chorus and guitar work while A Different Drum shines too, if you listen carefully you'll notice that guitar marks a rythm very similar to MOTLEY CRUE's Dr. Feelgood and introduce some magnificent background vocals, great track though this time chorus is the weakest part.
By the way... really nice art work.

In summary, a fantastic album with brilliant production by a privileged voice though i believe the first single has been a wrong choice. A must have album.

Best tracks (in order of preference):

How To Stop

Let Go

One Day I'll Stop Loving You

Summer Nights In Cabo

I Should Have Said

This album is worth of 4.6 out of 5 ROCKS!!!

This Is The Moment (official video):

ESSENTIAL: BENJAMIN ORR - Stay The Night

1986 was a great year in music that brought the only solo album by THE CARS bass player Benjamin Orr. His first single is a gem of AOR that reached USA # 24 and CAN # 31, Stay The Night.

ESSENTIAL: ICEHOUSE - Electric Blue

Back in 1987 ICEHOUSE released the masterpiece Man Of Colors, Electric Blue was the second hit single reaching USA # 7, AUS # 1, NZ # 4... High class AOR.

FASTER PUSSYCAT - Hits and Covers

 

Well, enough is enough... what's goin' on in Rock music? another stupid covers album?... yes. This album sucks too, though is not as bad as BULLETBOYS covers album. Covers goes from SCORPIONS to GUNS N' ROSES, INXS, OASIS, LED ZEPPELIN, RICK SPRINGFIELD... and a couple of their own tunes, by the way, has merit to cover your own song and make it worst than the original. That's what happens with House Of Pain, what was an anthem ballad in the late 80's now has just become a crap built on House and Grebo rythms. She's Tight by CHEAP TRICK seems to be a Techno track and i think none of us understands what a dance track is doing in a Sleaze-Rock album, is surrealistic. Actually the only that sounds good, i would even say real good, is the cover of AC/DC If You Want Blood, Taime's vocals fits real good with this cut and guitar work is ok, listening to this version you'll soon realize that in this raw sound is where FASTER PUSSYCAT feels confortable.

In summary, all covers are worst than the originals.

More info: http://www.fasterpussycat.com/

Best tracks (in order of preference):

If You Want Blood

This album is worth of 1.5 out of 5 ROCKS!!!

Track listing:

01. Bathroom Wall (Re-recorded / Remastered)
02. If You Want Blood (AC/DC cover)
03. Wonderwall (Oasis cover)
04. House Of Pain (Remix)
05. Jessie’s Girl (Rick Springfield cover)
06. Don’t Change (INXS cover)
07. Bad Things (Jace Everett cover / True Blood theme)
08. Monster Mash (Bobby Pickett cover)
09. Hey Baby (Ted Nugent cover)
10. Lovedrive (Scorpions cover)
11. Misty Mountain Hop (Led Zeppelin cover)
12. It’s So Easy (Guns & Roses cover / Julian Beeston Remix)
13. Hell Bent For Leather (Judas Priest cover)
14. Run Rudolph Run (Chuck Berry cover)
15. She’s Tight (Cheap Trick cover / Razed in Black Remix)

 
 

NEWS:

HOUSE OF LORDS new single Someday When from the forthcoming album Big Money.