YA YA - II (Released: 1988)

1988 saw the release of the second album by british band YA YA entitled II. Sadly, underrated high quality pomp-AOR.

Sound bites:











When The World Cried (official video):

SHARK ISLAND

The only release on a mayor record label, Epic, by this Los Angeles band was Law Of The Order back in 89'. Starting as SHARK in 79' they released the album Alter Ego but they changed their name to SHARK ISLAND in 85' releasing in 86' the album S'cool Buss on an independent label. Their last release was Gathering Of The Faithfull in 2006. This well known Los Angeles nightclub's band delievers raw sound with some dark touches making of them one of a kind.

Because of its rarity today we've got sound bites from Alter Ego and S'cool Buss too.



Sound bites:




Sound bites from S'cool Buss:





Sound bites as SHARK from the album Alter Ego:






Paris Calling (official video):

BOBBY KIMBALL/JIMI JAMISON - S/t (Release: Oct 14, 2011 EUR - Oct 18, 2011 USA)

 

Here we go with the reunion of two of the most recognoscible voices of AOR, Jimi Jamison (Ex-SURVIVOR) and Bobby Kimball (Ex-TOTO).
Before playing this album for the first time, i was quite sure Kimball would be the winner of this duel because of his wide range vocals but after listening the full album i truly believe Jamison vocals are in much better shape.
The album features songwriting by Richard Page (Mr MISTER), Randy Goodrum (Steve Perry, TOTO), Erik Martensson (W.E.T., ECLIPSE)... and production by Mat Sinner. In general, this is an album full of energy that though being released by lead singers by two of most influentials bands of AOR has it own personality, i mean, this album doesn't sound to SURVIVOR or TOTO though the energy could remind a little of SURVIVOR.
The album opens with Worth Fighting For, a cut built on an elaborated drum rythm with precious chorus with some backing keys and guitars with a little flavor of TOTO but with an excesive use of cymbals. Good track that marks the path of what the album is going to be. Can't Wait For Love, released as single, has a modern production with some programing but, as i said in this blog when the song was released, i don't like much specially because of Kimball's performance and tremendously long chorus. Sail Away is a mi-tempo that comes with a beautiful melody sounding much of 80's while Chasing Euphoria returns to the energetic way but with little weak chorus. With Find Another Way we enter the best part of the album. This is a gem of ballad sounding of SURVIVOR and COBRA while Get Back In The Game is a rockin' and funny song this time with Kimball rockin' real good and with catchy chorus and guitars ala-Too Hot To Sleep years... great guitar solo.
I Did Everything Wrong is another astonishing mid-tempo where everything works perfect though the song starts to fade too soon, 30 seconds of fading is too long... you'll love this cut. Shadows Of Love initially is a little bit slower and introduce some Hammond at the bridge and chorus while Hearts Beat Again accelerates the pace again, another funny cut with catchy chorus, some shinny keys and once again introducing some Hammond.
The rest of the album keeps the energetic vibe with the exception of Your Photograph introducing, once again, some programing and modern guitar sounding at the beginning, bridge leading to solo. Not a bad song but not the best.

In summary, a good album but would expect more of these two monsters of Rock. Although seems risky to say that, in some few notes Kimball seems to be out of tone and not with the best attitude while Jamison shines all over the album proving that after more of fourty years of singing his voice is still at his peak though a couple of times, in this album, he has to resort to falsetto.

Sound bites:


I Did Everything Wrong
Find Another Way
Worth Fighting For

NEW:

SEBASTIAN BACH's Kicking & Screaming debuts at # 73 on Billboard Charts.

WORK FORCE - S/t (Released: 1989, Scotti Brothers)

We all know 1989 was an awesome year in music. With AOR at its peak with the released of some amazing albums, some good releases were unnoticed and that's what happened to Work Force's debut. Those San Francisco guys played an elegant AOR full of keys, polished guitars and with Ron Kimball's excellent vocals. Good album with a couple of gems as their first single Hold On Tight.











Sounds:







Hold On Tight (official video):

RECKLESS LOVE - Animal Attraction (Release: Oct 5, 2011)

Here we go with the second effort by this guys from Helsinki, Finland. If you don't know much about their music i'll tell you they began playing cover by GUNS 'N' ROSES back in 2001 but don't expect for a Sweet Child O' Mine or You Could Be Mine in this album, though you'll listen some vocals ala-Axl Rose, in fact, the first track in this album, Animal Atracttion, is clearly influenced of DEF LEPPARD's sound not only 'cause of marked drum rythm and the use of guitars but with Olli Herman's vocals sounding of Joe Elliot and the chorus and backing vocals. Speedin' is a faster rocking cut and once again reminds of DEF LEPPARD specially because of vocals... anyway is ok. Born To Break Your Heart is a little bit slower and mellower than the previous cuts introducing some beautiful keys and chorus that after a couple of listening become really catchy...this cut is one of album's highlights with a fantastic guitar solo. Hot is the first single and though some AOR keys this track has a modern vibe, some kind of GOOD CHARLOTTE meets KATE PERRY... a funny song that doesn't represent the sound of this band. Fantasy is an elegant mid-tempo full of keys that reminds of Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion). We jump to Dance, a poppy song full of keys that, though could sound strange, reminds a lot of SAVAGE GARDEN while Fight goes faster with some Pop-Punk guitars and drums. Switchblade Babe returns to the Lepparian-sound with an amazing guitar riff and, sadly, Olli Herman using falsetto to reach higher tones. Is interesting to mention a couple of touches of piano giving some depth to this cut. On The Radio has a totally 80's chorus becoming another highlight while Coconuts is built on rawer guitars but probably is the weakes track in this album.
The UK release comes with Young N' Crazy a brutal, funny and amazing cut in the vein of what was Cum On Feel The Noize... the perfect track to party with some friends and lots of beer.

In summary, a good album but without a definite style and some ups and downs. In some cuts production should be a little stronger though guitar work is quite good... anyway this album is recommended and i truly believe that with a good promotion they could bring some fresh air to Rock panorama and embrace some hugh success.

Sound bites:









Best Tracks (in order of preference):

Born To Break Your Heart

On The Radio

Young N' Crazy 

Animal Atracttion

Hot

This album is worth of 4.4 out of 5 ROCKS!!!

Hot (official video):

MITCH MALLOY - II

 

Here we go with the latest release by this North Dakota singer after eleven years... and the first thing to say is that this is the continuation of his debut album. This is a Rock album full of energy and full of great musicians as Pete Lesperance (Harem Scarem), Bruno Ravel (Danger Danger), Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Brett Walker...
It's been almost twenty years since MALLOY's debut and is inevitable that his voice has changed, now he sound a little bit raspy and though he still keeps a wide range now he sings a couple of tones lower but the personality and melody of his voice is kept.
The album opens with I'm The One, a rockin' cut with backing vocals by Brett Walker that keeps all the feeling of Anything At All. Great opener with catchy chorus and good vibe to play while driving with your windows down and the buttom volumen at 10. Falling To Pieces will catch you from the first listening, is a fast and funny rockin' track that will make you move your feet from the beggining to the end of the song. In this cut MALLOY sings in a higher tone proving his voice is in perfect shape and ready to ROCK!!!. I'll Love You Still will decieve you starting with a piano that soon will turn into a blast of electric guitars becoming another rocking cut though this time chorus is not as catchy as the previous two track, anyway another good cut. Carry On is the first ballad in this album with MALLOY proving he's one of those singers able to shine in harder and smooth tunes. Chorus is backed by some warm hammond and beautiful backing vocals. Love Song is co-writen with Keith Scott (Bryan Adams) and in fact the starting will remind you of It's Only Love while On And On break the line with a different rythm and introducing some keys with special atention to the break after the guitar solo...amazing break and final part for this song.
The rest of the album keeps the same rockin' vibe with the exception of Take It All, a precious melancholic ballad full of passion and magnificent chorus with some elegant piano and backing hammond and As Long As I'm With You and All My Friends, two mid-tempos with some country vibe in the songwriting of the second one and with a final solo of almost two minutes after the break

In Summary, a fantastic returning of one of the most brilliant voices of Rock. If you enjoyed the debut album by MICH MALLOY this one is for you.

Sound bites:








Best Tracks (in order of preference):

Falling To Pieces
I'm The One
Take It All
On And On

This album is worth of 4.5 out of 5 ROCKS!!!

FEMME FATALE - S/t (Released: 1988, MCA)

This Albuquerque band released just one album back in 1988 on MCA reaching # 141 on Billboard charts. Waiting For The Big One was the second single from this album while Falling In And Out Of Love was the third reaching UK # 69. Though the album sold well the band decided to split after touring with Cheap Trick... Great Hard Rock with strong guitars, powerful keys and furious female vocals.









Waiting For The Big One (official video):
                                  
Falling In And Out Of Love (official video):

LOST GEM: MOVING PICTURES - Days Of Innocence (Released: 1981)

MOVING PICTURES was an Aussie band that released three album through the 80's. Their debut album was Days Of Innocence released on Epic and Wheatley Record and reaching AUS # 1 and USA # 101. Second single from this album was What About Me, a masterclass power ballad reaching AUS # 1 and USA # 29. The song was re-released in 1989 reaching USA # 46... High Quality AOR.







Sound bites:





What About Me (official video):

LOST GEM: MELIDIAN - Lost In The Wild (Released: 1989)

Lost In The Wild is the only album released on CBS by this New York band. This is a sensational album full of keys, perfect guitar melodies and amazing songwriting, maybe the weakest point are Chris Cade's vocals. He does an excellent work in the rocking tunes where his voice fits perfect but he suffers a little when songs are mellower even having to resort to falsetto. MELIDIAN was some kind of ICON meets PAUL SABU meets AUTOGRAPH. An excellent album that you should have in your collection.





Sound bites:






Ready To Rock (official video):