Tag: melodicrock

[Album Recommendation] Age of Reflection – In The Heat Of The Night (AOR)

(by Velina of “My Rock Mixtapes”)

You know I am always on the hunt for melodic rock treasures since this is the type of rock music I am mostly fond of. Some people still believe that the era of AOR is long gone and that this used to be a big thing in the ‘80s, however I gotta say, those people don’t even have a slightest clue of how the genre have evolved and spread in the past few years. So many outstanding young artists are responsible for the AOR boom in recent years and great pioneers of AOR are launching spectacular comebacks so it’s safe to say, we are entering a new AOR era!

Discovering bands that bring back the faith in me and make me feel alive again is basically what I live for. Sometime ago, through the power of social media, the amazing guys from the Swedish AOR band, Age of Reflection (love what they did with the name), reached out to me and introduced me to their music. I didn’t need much convincing or extra effort to understand that this band will most certainly fall under the category of “great new AOR bands you must hear now”. I am already familiar with the magic of Swedish rock musicians, so it was not such a big surprise for me to discover yet another Swedish treasure that deserves all the praises. Anyways, we are here today to talk about Age of Reflection and their “In the Heat of the Night” album which I firmly believe needs to reach out to as many fans out there as possible. I want to introduce their music and hopefully bring to the table something new to people who are hungry for something fresh and of high quality.

First of all, let me provoke you and restore that faith in you, guys with this song…

With me, as you know, when it comes to music is all about discovering more in a song than just a bunch of well-written lines, melodies and good riffs. With me, it’s about the emotions, substance, the soul of the music and its ability to quickly deliver it to your senses. That’s not all I am looking for in a melodic rock album. I am deeply connected to the ‘80s rock music values and when I see bands these days that are not just incorporating them in their music but are adding something more, that’s when I know I have a real gem in front of my eyes. All this and more I found in Age of Reflection and their “In the Heat of the Night” album.

I want to present my sincere adoration for the great vocals by Lars Nygren who is certainly one of the most vocally-attractive musicians on the current revived Swedish melodic rock scene. “Blame it on My Heart”, “Borderline” and “The Mirror Never Lies” for instance (which happen to be three of my favorite songs on the release) probably wouldn’t have had the same effect on me if it wasn’t for the captivating vocals. Speaking of songs, I should probably mention that “Dying for Your Love” brought out a certain fire in my heart which doesn’t happen as often as you might think. Watch out for it – it’s unforgettable. It’s time to give the high fives also to Carl Berglund, who is not just the main reason for the existence of this band in the first place, but is also one of the masters of the guitar and keyboards. He, along with the bassist Jan Skärming, gave birth to an exciting project which you didn’t know you need in your life, till you hear it!

“In The Heat of the Night” came out last year and it’s a little bit of a shame that I just discovered it but better late than never. I want to heavily emphasize to my readers that this is a band with a musical significance and their songs carry a meaning and strength which, at least to me, is the most essential component on the road to success. Spread the love and enjoy! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. I hope I brought something great to you with my humble publication.

Cheers to more!

Here is me, happily holding a great new addition to my beloved collection. I can’t wait to see what’s next for those talented guys.

“The Mirror Never Lies”

“Dying for Your Love”

age of reflection
Age of Reflection

BAND MEMBERS:

Lars Nygren – lead vocals
Carl Berglund – guitar, backing vocals
Jonas Nordqvist – guitar, backing vocals
Jens Rüttgeroth – keyboards, backing vocals
Jan Skärming – bass, backing vocals
Peppe Vikman – drums, backing vocals

Links:

Official Website: https://www.ageofreflection.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AGEOFREFLECTION/

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/ageofreflection/

Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/AgeOfReflection

References:
I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

Album Review: FM – ATOMIC GENERATION (2018)

(by Velina of “My Rock Mixtapes”)

I’m immensely excited and so eager to talk about FM’s highly anticipated new album – “Atomic Generation”. What a time to be alive and to be a rock music fan! One of the most brilliant, most talented (though underrated in my opinion) bands is BACK and that’s not even the best thing. FM are back with what might be one of the most sophisticated and valuable releases of 2018. I knew they would bring their A game but what they brought turned out to be way more than that – “Atomic Generation” is a superb manifestation of talent, thought and thrill!

FM are widely known by their late ‘80s/early ‘90s albums, such as “Tough it Out” and “Takin It’ to The Street”. However, the past 10 years the guys have spawned some equally deserving masterpieces, including “Heroes and Villains” (2015) and “INDISCREET 30” – a new recording of their classic 1986 album. Now, it’s 2018 and it was time to dive into a new adventure – an eleventh one to be precise. “Atomic Generation” further solidifies their position as one of the undefeated champions of melodic rock and is another proof that the AOR era is everything but gone.

Let’s talk music! (I love this phrase so much)

11 stunning melodic rock pieces are shaping the eleventh studio album of FM. Don’t know if they did that on purpose but it’s pretty cool, isn’t it? Two things easily come to mind when you listen to this album for the very first time – firstly, once you hear Steve Overland sing, literally nothing else in life matters at that particular moment; the guy has a voice made of gold and he deserves all the praises for being in such great vocal shape; secondly, there’s an obvious, highly pleasant consistency trapped inside “Atomic Generation” that clearly shows why FM are one of the most cherished British melodic rock acts ever since the late ‘80s.

The opening track, “Black Magic”, is like a fresh breeze, gently playing with your senses. The intro is one of its strongest points, along with those “whoa-oh” sing-along moments. Love how FM put so many different unique touches on it – grooves, hooks, nostalgic melodic rock vibes, modern-day funky sounds and so much more. It never gets boring and I must have played it over a hundred times already. “Too Much of a Good Thing” is what I expect to hear on the radio during a sunny spring ride around town. The song has so much soul and color and you gotta be made of ice if it doesn’t touch your heart even a little bit. The Santana-reminiscent “Playing Tricks on Me” is an absolute winner and one of the greatest moments on the record. The second it starts playing, don’t hesitate – grab the person next to you and dance your night away! After that passionate fiesta is over, we are moving ahead with more traditional FM sound in the face of “Make the Best of What You Got”. “Stronger” is my favorite song from the album and it was love at first listen for me. The keyboard intro knocked me down and the progression of the song finished me. I am completely inlove with the lyrics and the powerful, encouraging, mood-lifting personality of the song – it was the thing I needed but didn’t know I do. The album wraps things up with “Love is the Law” – a soft, acoustic country ballad that cools off the spirits, with the help of Steve’s magical voice.

“Atomic Generation” can easily compete with all the FM’s classic albums in terms of influence and musicianship. I am praising them for all the effort they put in presenting such musical variety and still remain as classy as ever. It’s one of the albums of the year, you can trust me on that.

“Black Magic”

“Playing Tricks on Me”

 

TRACKLIST:

1. Black Magic 

2. Too Much Of A Good Thing

3. Killed By Love

4. In It For The Money

5. Golden Days

6. Playing Tricks On Me

7. Make The Best Of What You Got

8. Follow Your Heart

9. Do You Love Me Enough

10. Stronger

11. Love Is The Law

 

Links: 

http://www.fmofficial.com/fmofficial/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/FMofficial
https://twitter.com/FMofficial
https://www.youtube.com/user/FMofficialTV

References:
P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

[Album Review] AMMUNITION – AMMUNITION (2018)

(by Velina of “My Rock Mixtapes”)

ammunition album cover

2018 is starting quite promising if I may say. January brought to us a number of outstanding releases, absolutely backing my statement that there will be plenty to anticipate, enjoy and love this year when it comes to rock music. Frontiers Music are yet again getting all the spotlight by being the main player on the growing melodic rock scene. The first month of the year was colored by the label and their releases, including Lione / Conti’s self-titled album, Labyrinth’s “Return to Live”, Delta Deep’s “East Coast Live” and of course, the album I am here to talk about today – Ammunition’s eponymous album, which also happens to be my album of the month. I gotta say, this was the first time I got the chance to meet the band and I cannot wait to share my thoughts and hopefully, transfer my enthusiasm for this album to other listeners. You just gotta trust me on this one – this is a band and a release that cannot and should not escape your radar. Here’s a little bit more about the band and the release.

Who are Ammunition?

ammunition band

The band was founded in 2014 by the songwriting duo Age Sten Nilsen (former WIG WAM singer) and the multi-talented Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union). Their debut release, titled “Shanghaied” was out in 2015 and it quickly laid solid foundations for the band and its future. The guys teamed up with former TNT and Jack In The Box bassist Victor Cito Borge, keysman Lasse Finbråten (Circus Maximus, ex-Wig Wam), skinsman Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse), and the guitar player Jon Pettersen so you can only imagine the kind of strength that team brought up on that live stage. That’s one of the things they became highly praised for – delivering a live performance to remember.

Fans were able to get their first taste of the follow-up to their highly praised debut release earlier in 2017 with the Eurovision finalist “Wrecking Crew” (written by Nilsen and Mårtensson). The full length, original version of the song is included on the new album so no worries – we can enjoy it whenever we want!

In terms of sound, AMMUNITION can definitely impress with massive hooks, splendid melodies and just the right amount of roughness needed to complete a perfect, modern-day rock band. Let’s dive into the album. 

The Self-Titled Album

Tons of tons of spirit and body/mind-moving energy is coming out of this album. You start playing it and you don’t even realize when the surroundings have turned into a huge arena and you are in the middle of a mind-blowing concert, your hands are up in the air and you’re dancing your ass off! I’ve always appreciated albums which have the ability to transfer you to another, much more desirable reality. “Ammunition” is most certainly an album that can do that, right from the very beginning. It’s not just the massive hooks and the presence of sing-along rock anthems and guitars that synchronize with your entire existence – it’s the striking, highly uplifting personality of the members who obviously knew how to put their excitement into notes and craft this album.

Let’s talk about songs!

“Freedom Fighter” is an absolute favorite of mine and the reason why this album turned into a January highlight for me. Looking for a song to play as loud as possible after a tiring day at work? Look no more, this is the song for you. With those riffs, laid-back vibe and casual yet captivating vocals, you just can’t have it any other way. “Eye for an Eye” starts quite promising and progresses into a gorgeous battle anthem, fueled with emotions, courtesy of vocalist Age Sten Nilsen. “Miss Summertime” is another immensely subjective climax on “Ammunition” but I can justify my claim by saying that it’s not just a song – it’s a beach bonfire that can warm you up on a cold January night. The following song, “Bad Bones” brings you back to reality with a strong hard rock slap. To me, it’s one of the most dynamic and heavy-pounding songs of the album; the placement is quite on point too. The album wraps things up the same way it opens them. “Klondike” is a signature Ammunition song, keeping that comfortable and exceptionally charismatic vibe of the band that turned them into quite the sensation in Norway.

Final verdict: “Ammunition” is full of life, character and captivating energy! It has it all – ballads, mid-tempo rockers and hard-rocking tracks that totally deserve to be played and enjoyed at a live concert. The album opens a bright new chapter in the book of melodic rock, where new important future characters are introduced. Yes, those are the guys from Ammunition so pay close attention to them!

Enjoy the tracks now~

“Freedom Finder”

“Gung Ho (I Told You So)”

TRACKLIST:

 
1. Time
2. Freedom Finder
3. Virtual Reality Boy
4. Guns Ho (I Told You So)
5. Eye for an Eye
6. Tear Your City Down
7. Caveman
8. Wrecking Crew
9. Miss Summertime
10. Bad Bones
11. Klondike
 
BAND MEMBERS: 
 
Erik Martensson – guitars, bass, programming, keys, backing vocals
Victor Cito Borge – bass
Jon Pettersen – guitars
Lasse Finbrathen – keyboards
Age Sten Nilsen – lead and backing vocals
Magnus Ulfstedt – drums
 
Follow AMMUNITION on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ammunitionofficial/
References:
P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

Love at First Listen: ONE DESIRE’s Self-Titled Debut Album (2017)

one desire - one desire 2017It took me a few months to discover this album but better late than never, right? I still cannot forgive myself for letting it pass through me without getting the much deserved attention but I have now stopped blaming myself for overlooking it and fully committed to spreading the word and telling everyone how exceptional this album is! I don’t believe in love at first sight but I do believe in love at first listen. These precious moments can be very rare, usually it takes time to fully warm up to an album; but with the Finnish band One Desire and their debut release, things couldn’t have taken a better turn. You play the opening track, “Hurt” and you just end up in getting trapped in this mesmerizing world of new-age melodic rock, where One Desire are the new rulers and their music is the law. I rarely establish such a strong connection with an album from the very first second I hear it but “One Desire” just has the right musical qualities to become the refreshing exception and that’s exactly what happened with me.

“Hurt”

I mean, let’s take the opening track for example. What a blasting explosion of musical brightness. Not a second of this song is wasted on pointless and trivial moments. Every detail is polished to perfection to capture the attention of the melodic rock fans and people who are still drawn to the old-school rock vibes that ruled the ’80s. I am specifically impressed by the sophisticated yet so catchy melody, illustrated by gloomy yet so pure lyrics. “Hurt” will be in my Top10 Songs of 2017 list for sure!

“Apologize”

The second track “Apologize” is a worthy discovery. I’m all for the melody and the sing-along anthems and this one’s definitely it! With this song you can’t but be sucked into a whirlpool of energy, power and intensity. The chorus is unbelievable and don’t you even get me started on vocalist André Linman who is putting to shame all the more famous young vocalist out there, only proving that this band deserves more.

“Falling Apart”

“Falling Apart” is one of the most alluring tracks on the album and a personal favorite. The choruses are once again demonstrating the powerful vocal range of vocalist André Linman who did so much justice to this song! I am loving the peaceful percussion intro that builds up to an angelic song with tons of memorable moments. 

“Turn Back Time”

I saved the best for last! On a personal level, the lyrics of this song just mean everything and I am sure so many people will find themselves in it. It’s a song about regret and lost time and trying so hard to bring it back. The lyrics aren’t the only thing that makes “Turn Back Time” ultimate stand-out; I love the nostalgic guitar-intro and how this song sounds so simple but yet so complex. The beautiful melody and expressive vocal delivery are making it the perfect listening experience.

There you were with those big brown eyes among the crowd, piercing like a knife…

Final Verdict:

I was immensely surprised by the power of this album and can’t but be happy that it found a way into my life. I urge everyone, looking for that splendid mixture of old-school hard rock, meeting modern-day metalcore with just a little bit of an electronic feel into it, this is the album for you. Can’t praise it enough.

I just wish there was less autotune because  André Linman is obviously good enough of a vocalist to not be needing it. (though believe me I understand the reason behind the decision of the producer to polish his voice that much)

one desire band
Jimmy Westerlund- Guitar
André Linman- Vocals, guitar
Jonas Kuhlberg- Bass
Ossi Sivula- Drums
References:
Album artwork and Band Photo, retrieved from: http://www.frontiers.it/
P.S. This publication expresses my personal thoughts and opinions, based on actual experiences. All the photos are taken by me. Please be kind and considerate and make sure you don’t just save and use the written and visual content without my permission! Rock on!

Album Review: Wayward Sons – “Ghosts Of Yet To Come” (2017)

(by Velina of “My Rock Mixtapes”)

I’ve been listening to Wayward Sons‘ “Ghosts of Yet to Come” for a little bit over a week now and am super eager to share my thoughts with you on that. I do my best to give the spotlight to artists and albums that truly deserve it so no surprises that this one found its way on this blog and in my heart – “Ghosts of Yet to Come” is an album of immeasurable class and something I truly wasn’t ready for! The good news is that it’s here, it’s ours and we can enjoy it! Let’s dive into the band and the music; I guarantee that one song is enough for you to understand how different this album is from the rest of its genre category.

Wayward Sons is a new name on the block but don’t get fooled – the members of the band have been making music and enriching people’s lives for many many years. Vocalist and band leader Toby Jepson made a name for himself as a prominent producer of acts like Saxon, Toseland and Fastway; not only that but he also fronted the popular UK hard rock act Little Angels that rose to stardom in the mid-80s. Now, he’s back with a promising new project, aiming at reviving the importance of not just recording good rock music, but music that can be enjoyed best if played live. Wayward Sons is a band, built to play live so don’t get confused if the moment you crank up this album, you start imagining being in a big arena, attacked by the energizing waves of a powerful live guitars and strong real vocals, penetrating the air like a razor.

Let’s talk music!

“Ghosts of Yet To Come” rewards the listener with a playlist of 10 hard-hitting high-quality rockers, proving that Mr. Everything – Toby Jepson is back and ready for another career breakthrough; with a sharp rock&roll statement like this album, he sure as hell is getting it! I love bands that that incorporate new methods and technologies to craft a modern-day sound but still somehow manage to put in a little bit of that classic flavor, reminding everyone that old is…well gold. To me, the perfect representative of that combo can easily be traced in tracks like “Don’t Wanna Go” – a killer classic hard rock sound and one of the songs that stood out to me at first album listen. The opening track “Alive” blew me away. You are certainly not getting out of this song alive – lyrics, riffs, vocals and hooks are assembling into a charged-up ear-worm, impossible to get rid of. “Until the End” takes pride in being the catchiest song in the album with yet again themed, quite memorable lyrics. The third track, “Ghost” is another spirited groovy tune, pouring confidence. “Killing Time” is a personal favorite – I love the laid-back, Friday-night-at-the-rock-bar feeling.

All in all, this whole album could easily be viewed as just one endless river of positivism, energy and encouragement – just what we needed to meet and greet the new fall season of 2017. “Ghosts of Yet to Kill” masterfully combines modern-day melodic rock feels and ’70s classic vibes into a brilliant, pleasingly enslaving musical experience, suitable for all ages. I highly recommend it!

P.S. We had tons of gorgeous album covers this year, but when it comes to memorability and affect, Wayward Sons’ are absolute winners. I’m simply in love with the colors, comic book style, message and uniqueness of this artwork and urge other bands to take notes – this is how you do it!

wayward sons

 

“Until The End”

 

“Ghost”

“Alive”

“Crush”

References:
Album artwork retrieved from http://www.frontiers.it/album/5401
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Album Review: Kee of Hearts’ Debut Self-Titled Album

…or how to put a photo of yourself next to a definition of “brilliant melodic rock music”.

(by Velina of “My Rock Mixtapes”)

We had plenty of impressive melodic rock releases this year so far and yet none of them has given me this amount of excitement, comfort and satisfaction as this one right here. It might be because it is after all made by melodic rock kings or because Tommy Heart is one of the very few vocalists, capable of bringing so much warmth and coziness to my tiny little rock heart, but “Kee of Hearts” is without doubt, a pivotal moment for the melodic rock scene of 2017. Frontiers Music are throwing one kick-ass punch after another and I’m not sure I can handle it or keep up with the amount of top notch rock music thrown at me but I can sure as hell try. I am beyond ecstatic to be witnessing the making and release of such album. Let me tell you why…

Kee of Hearts represents the collaboration between vocalist Tommy Heart (Fair Warning) and guitarist Kee Marcello (Europe). Those two superstars got together last year and made some serious magic in that studio which later on materialized into an elegant self-titled debut album of a lifetime you simply can’t get enough of. As a die-hard fan of Fair Warning and someone who reaches for their music in times of pain and trouble, you can only imagine how thrilled I was to learn that Tommy Heart is doing a new project. This meant one thing – I was about to very soon meet my new favorite melodic rock album.  

kee of hearts“Kee of Hearts” was out on September 15, 2017 via Frontiers Records. Thankfully, the album was immediately available on Spotify so I cranked it up right from the early morning to the late of dawn. I couldn’t stop smiling, song after song. I became a glowing ball of energy only because of this album and I still am by the way!

Let’s talk music! “The Storm” is the opening track and the title pretty much sums it up all! A powerful blazing melodic rock impact right from the very beginning, signalling the arrival of something truly valuable. I am enchanted by the lyrics, though this phenomenon could be observed throughout the entire album. “A New Dimension” is another promising song with a “wow” aftereffect further proving why Tommy Heart is one of the best melodic rock vocalists out there. What follows is as good as the rest. Classic AOR songs like“Bridge To Heaven” and “Stranded” offer a bouquet of wonderful hooks, impeccable vocal arrangements, groovy guitars and pleasing keyboard touches. The honest “Mama Don’t Cry” and the quite relevant (these days especially) “S.O.S.” are two of the stand-outs for certain. “Edge of Paradise” is a personal favorite; the only justice that can be done to this song is if it’s played live in a huge arena in front of thousands of people. I keep imagining this… The classy “Twist of Fate” is a close second favorite – you just can’t take those catchy refrains out of your head…but then again, why should you? The track is the ultimate sing-along joyride.

Final verdict: “Kee of Hearts” is a melodic rock bliss from start to finish. This album represents just the kind of class and nobility we so desperately need on the rock music scene these days. Tommy Heart and Kee Marcello crafted a fine release that rocks, entertains and keeps our spirits lifted from start to finish. It’s a must-have for every AOR fan out there who knows what is true and what is not…I pray those two come up with a follow-up!

“A New Dimension”

“The Storm”

“Crimson Dawn”

“Bridge to Heaven”

References:
Album artowork, retrieved from http://www.frontiers.it/news/10951
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

5 Rock Albums I Can’t Wait to Get My Hands on This September

I remember saying how “2017 was going to be a very weak year for rock music” but it didn’t take me that long to realize that 2017 might be an even stronger year for rock than 2016. These past months we had the chance to witness the release of some groundbreaking melodic and hard rock albums from bands like Thunder, Bonfire, Warrant, Riverdogs and others; however the year isn’t over yet and there’s plenty more to be excited about.

September is definitely a month I waited with so much anticipation and I really wanted to share why. Lynch Mob, Kee of Hearts, Steelheart, Ringo Starr and David Gilmour are going to dominate my playlists and collections this month and if it all goes the way I see it, I will give the spotlight to each one of these. Here’s a little sneak peak of the albums – I do hope you get some new ideas after checking out these songs.

Lynch Mob – The Brotherhood (08/09)

lynch mob

This is some serious stuff, right here and I have no doubt that Lynch Mob‘s “The Brotherhood” has all the chances of becoming one of the best heavy releases of the year. My socks were knocked off and I’m still picking up my jaw from the floor ever since we got this music video. George Lynch and Oni Logan crafted something valuable, just wait and see it…

Steelheart – Through Worlds of Stardust (15/09)

steelheart

Steelheart are back and I can barely hold my excitement, especially after listening to the songs that were released. Steelheart surely went a long way from their early glam rock sound in the 1990s but they still kick ass! Based on the modern, edgy-sounding songs we have so far I just know that this release will blow me away. Kudos to Mr. Everything – vocalist Miljenko Matijevic who is as brilliant as ever.

Kee of Hearts – Kee of Hearts (15/09)

kee of hearts

This album right here might actually be the highlight of my year. By now I’m sure that many of you know how much I love Fair Warning and their brilliant vocalist Tommy Heart so naturally when I heard that he will collaborate with Kee Marcello (former Europe guitarist) for a new band and an album, I was head over heels! Any melodic rock fan out there would be thrilled and certainly pleased, I just know it.

Ringo Starr – Give More Love (15/09)

ringo

I hold Ringo Starr very close to my heart because so far he is the only member of my beloved Beatles I had the chance to see.

“Give More Love” is his 19th solo album (wow!) and I just cannot way to see what the ex-Beatle cooked in his home studio in LA. The release will feature contributions from Paul McCartney (of course), Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather and others. If the rest of the songs are as positive, laid-back and easy to digest as this one, I’m sure the album will be a total success. 

David Gilmour – Live in Pompeii (29/09)

david gilmour live in pompeii

In 2016, David Gilmour went back to that historical place of Pompeii where in 1971 Pink Floyd made their famous concert movie. The stunning audio and visual experience will be available in a sweet box set that will absolutely win over any dedicated music collector out there.

References:
Album artworks, retrieved from: http://www.frontiers.it / https://www.gucca.dk/ https://platenreus.com/nieuwe-release/david-gilmour-live-at-pompeii/
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

 

Remembering NELSON’s Double Platinum 1990 Debut “After the Rain”

You can call this album whatever you want – too “glossy”, too “corporate” or too safe“ (and you may be right, actually) but that won’t really change the fact that it’s one of the most ear-pleasing melodic rock treasures of the early ‘90s. Albums like “After the Rain” were/are probably not among the critics’ favorites but we cannot deny its memorable, yet so short-lived presence on the melodic rock scene of the era. Out of all the rock albums that came out during those turbulent, trend-shifting years of rock music, Nelson’s “After the Rain” somehow managed to reach the double-platinum status, spawn a #1 hit single with “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” and remain on the charts for over 60 weeks. For these reasons and so much more, we gotta give it the credit it deserves.

We cannot talk about the twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, without mentioning their father – the legendary Ricky Nelson who became popular in the 1950s with his status as the ultimate “teen idol”. It’s only natural to become interested in music, especially if you grow up in the family of a musical legend. What the twin brothers did – both genre and image-wise was definitely very different from the style of their father but considering the time period, their career move wasn’t surprising at all.

Nelson - After the Rain

Back to “After the Rain”, which in my opinion is one of the “easiest-to-fall-in love-with” melodic rock albums of all time. Why? Well, because of its positivity, honest charm and heart. That’s pretty much what sums up “After the Rain”; I mean, don’t expect to listen to some groundbreaking, never-heard-before music elements. Expect, though, an instant mood-shift because the album is nothing more and nothing less than a ray of sunshine.   

A lot of effort and a great deal of talks, careful preparations, learning of how to make and play rock music… and let’s not forget money, went into the making of the debut album. The involvement of producer/songwriter Marc Tenner turned out to be more than crucial for the sound-crafting and consequent triumph of “After the Rain”.

The instant success of the debut album didn’t came as a surprise – sold-out shows, dozens of new fans, people buying the record like bread… What came as a surprise, though, was the situation with their highly-expected sophomore release. If you want to know the story, do your research. We are here to remember “After the Rain”, after all.

“(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection”, “I Can Hardly, Wait”, “After the Rain” and “More Than Ever” are the ultimate fan-favorites and some of the highlights on their debut. I’m pretty convinced that the majority of fans out there know the words of those songs by heart and are totally ready for any Karaoke challenge. A personal favorite and I song I always recommend to people is “Interlude – Everywhere I Go” – there’s just something about pianos, string instruments and rock music that gets me every time! “Fill You Up” is another catchy, highly-likable track that should get your attention. Nelson also ask “Will You Love Me?” in the best way possible and my answer is always “yes”, with no hesitation.

Put on your earphones and enjoy those radio classics…and the rest of the album of course!

 

More Than Ever

After the Rain

(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection

“Everywhere I Go”

References:
Album artwork retrieved from http://hardrockgeneration.blogspot.bg/2014/03/nelson-after-rain-1990.html
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Bringing Back the ’80s with TOTO’s Classic Seventh Album (1988)

Toto and The Seventh Album

toto seventh oneToto is a household name when it comes to classic rock music and no one can change that. The best time to play their timeless classics? Well, that would be anytime! Is there actually a person out there who has never heard of “Africa” or “Rosanna” or “Hold the Line”? I don’t think so. Late ’70s and early ’80s were unquestionably the heydays of Toto. From their smashing 1978 debut to their fourth release in 1982 which is basically synonymous with ’80s rock music, the band was just at the top of the game.

toto straight
TOTO – Straight for the Heart (Photo retrieved fromhttp://www.45cat.com/record/3807945)

I grew up with Toto IV and that album will always have a very special place in my heart. I think the majority of fans would also pick this album as their favorite and for a reason! As I was getting older and had more chances to experience and understand music and formed a solid music personality, I discovered that when it comes to Toto, their seventh studio album goes right at the top of the list of my personal favorites. I don’t think it’s a popular opinion because neither the original voices of Toto, Bobby Kimball or Steve Lukather (who I adore so much) are the ones taking the lead on this one;. When Toto were re-introduced in my life at a later point, I used to listen to “Straight for the Heart” all the time, every day! This is till today one of the most upbeat and bright songs I have ever heard of. I got the album eventually and here we are – to a point where I can, with certainty, state that this is my favorite Toto album and not only because of that one song I love so much; there are just so many things happening on it! 

 

Before we get to the seventh one, let’s go back further in time. The mid-’80s was a turbulent time for Toto. Boby was fired, his replacement Fergie Frederiksen was also dismissed from the band so as you can imagine time was ticking and the stakes were high. Show had to go on, though. In 1986, Toto released Fahrenheit – the first album with new vocalist Joseph Williams and an album I really love (surprise, surprise). “Fahrenheit” couldn’t make a splash despite all the hopes and hard work put into it.

Two years later, in 1988, The Seventh One was out and the situation was even worse. It’s funny how my favorite Toto album is the lowest-charting album of their career (not that it matters). On a positive note, the album was very well-accepted by overseas audiences, especially in Europe and Asia. My love for vocalist Joseph Williams is satisfied on two* classic albums only. Unfortunately, after The Seventh One, he was also fired because of  troubles with his (gorgeous) voice. It took the band about 4 years to re-assemble but as we all know it, the music industry was very different in the ’90s so even the great Toto couldn’t stand a chance. 

*Just FYI, Joseph Williams did come back to Toto for Toto XIV, released in 2015.

The songs

I want to say it so I’m just going to say it – this album is so much better than their fourth one (in my opinion of course). The rhythmic, groovy, dance/pop sound of the record is unbeatable!

We gotta start with “Pamela” which remained the only top40 hit from the album. I don’t understand why American audiences were so unwelcoming to this single (and the album as a whole) but Asian and European fans embraced it so warmly? For one reason or another this mysterious, brilliantly performed track didn’t get the attention it deserved and is one more reason to back up a statement I’ve been saying for years – chart positions mean nothing!

“Straight for the Heart” is a cheerful, sunny, pop/rock track, capable of conquering absolutely anyone out there! For me that song was a turning point – a new singer was added to my “favorite vocalists of all time” list and the rest is just history. There are many songs that makes you wanna smile, dance and forget about it all, but this song right here does all these things on a whole new level. I just love the melody and lyrics so much!

“Stop Loving You” is a very interesting track because it features my beloved Jon Anderson (vocalist of YES) on backing vocals. Not only that, but the entire song is such a blissful experience for my ears. I was listening to it while writing this and unconsciously I started moving! Seriously! I just love songs that provoke a physical reaction in you. So much live and character, what a tune!

The gorgeous ballad “Anna” (the other lady on the album), the dynamic “Stay Away” and the reggae-inspired ,“These Chains” are some of my other personal favorites on the album. The style, the atmosphere – this has to be Toto’s most energetic and groovy release so far. I am insanely happy that Joseph is back with them and cannot wait to see what the future holds! For now, enjoy these…

“Straight for the Heart”

“Pamela”

“Stop Loving You”

“Anna”

References:
Album artwork, retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/519251032017554090/
“Straight for the Heart” artwork, retrieved from http://www.45cat.com/record/3807945
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Overview of REO SPEEDWAGON’s Smashing Hit Album,”Wheels Are Turnin'” (1984)

REO Speedwagon

A story…

A few weeks ago I went to this huge bookstore where they sell CDs and Vinyl records; I was looking for a REO Speedwagon CD and I asked one of the staff about it. (Not) Surprisingly, the person I asked had no idea who they were and while searching for the CD, they asked me about the band. I thought about it for a second – like, how do I introduce this American old-school rock band to a young European who doesn’t know anything about them. I just said that they are a melodic rock band and moved on (they didn’t have the CD I wanted either ways).

This made me think about it. Similar bands like Foreigner, Journey, Boston, etc. were quite popular in my country (and still are) but somehow REO Speedwagon didn’t really become a thing over here. Anyhow, I just really felt like dedicating a little something to one of my most beloved melodic rock bands and the first album of theirs I heard back in the day. My American readers would of course be well-aware of the band and their career but for the others, I hope you discover something life-changing!

REO Speedwagon formed in the late ‘60s even though many people might think that they are just one of the many ‘80s melodic rock bands. Yes, the early-to-mid ‘80s were indeed the heydays of their career, but they go way back! It would be somewhat difficult to go through every stage of the band and the numerous line-up changes that occurred throughout the years. Ultimately, what you need to know about them is that their early years were quite shaky (but very charming) and REO Speedwagon often reo speedwagon hi infhad a different frontman for every new release. The bell of success rang in the late ‘70s with their “You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish” album. Their melodic rock/pop turn was fully made by the early ‘80s with staple rock albums like “Hi Infidelity” and “Good Trouble”. Both these albums, especially “Hi Infidelity” (1980) set the tone for the early ‘80s music scene and brought tons of recognition to the band. It was that same album that arguably defined the career of the band and remained their most beloved and critically acclaimed release.

“Wheels Are Turnin'”

reo speedwagonStill, if someone who has never heard of REO Speedwagon asks me to recommend him/her an album to start with, I’d pick “Wheels are Turnin’” in a heartbeat. Not only it’s one of their best-selling albums but it also contains some of the catchiest, most uplifting classic rock tunes that came out in the ‘80s. As a matter of fact, it was the first REO Speedwagon album I grabbed and where it all started from me.

The album did make quite the splash on the charts and spawned evergreen rock classics, including that “ballad” everyone knows the words to, “Can’t Fight This Feeling”. Many fans refer to “Wheels are Turnin’” as a “guilty pleasure” – back in the day, releasing a synthesizer-oriented album that early in the decade was still frowned upon; still, I’m certain that everyone was criticizing it but secretly listening to it ( you just cannot NOT fall for those magical melodic rock hooks). Keyboardist Neal Doughty wasn’t just your regular keyboardist; he was a true visionary and his elegant keyboard style was one of the main reasons why REO Speedwagon caught the attention of fans all over the world.

“Wheels are Turnin’” is so much more than the smashing hit single “Can’t Fight This Feeling”. I won’t argue though, this song is one of the main reasons why I was sold back in the day. The moment you hear “I can’t fight this feeling any longer…and yet I’m still afraid to let it flow,” you just start singing and you feel your heart filling up with joy and happiness. Every song on that album has a similar effect on me. The opening track, “I Do’ Wanna Know” is a personal favorite maybe because it has that early-REO Speedwagon vibe, mixed with modern elements. It’s actually the best of both worlds – raw and melodic. It’s most certainly a song that should’ve gotten more attention and recognition. “One Lonely Night” is another worthy track; Kevin Cronin was just born to sing for this genre. “Rock ‘N Roll Star” is an often forgotten rock anthem despite being a fantastic piece of a puzzle. The rest is just as appealing; from start to finish, “Wheels are Turnin’”, is a beautiful melodic bliss. If you are in a mood and need a little cheer, don’t go to the store for a huge box of ice-cream; instead, play REO Speedwagon’s “Live Every Moment” which has to be one of the liveliest and most positive songs I’ve ever heard. The album wraps things up with the title track which to me sounds as if it was made in the mid ‘70s, (that’s a great thing, of course). I’m unconditionally inlove with the piano touches and the riffs on this one.

REO Speedwagon flourished on their 11th studio album, “Wheels are Turnin’”. The guys just wanted to craft a satisfying piece of rock music and they did it. The album is breezy and atmospheric, overflowing with fantastic instrumentation, gratifying riffs and superb vocals. This album is as warm as an afternoon coffee with extra marshmallows.

Now, it’s time to listen to it….

“One Lonely Night”

“Can’t Fight This Feeling”

“I Do Wanna Know”

References:
P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~