a l b u m r e v i e w s


ALAN FREW
WONDERLAND
EMI Canada 7243 520312 2
Produced by: John Jones, Alan Frew
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Glass Tiger
GENRE: Pop rock
OVERALL: 70%

  1. Open For A Friend
  2. Lipstick
  3. Home
  4. I Could Never Lie To You
  5. Mother
  6. Wonderland
  7. All I Ever Wanted
  8. Colors Of Friends & Places
  9. A Rose In My Book
  10. That's Life
  11. Everything Must Change
  12. Everybody Sing
  13. Someday
  14. My Town
  15. So Blind
  16. Falling At Your Feet

Alan Frew's second solo album comes several years after the last and several more since the last Glass Tiger album. GT are one of Canada's better known AOR exports and a band I will look forward to seeing back in action.
I am not a big fan of Alan's solo debut. I found it way too soft after the guitar driven last Glass Tiger album and frankly thought the song lacked any great interest.
I think a combination of growing older and a better collection of songs sees me more attached to Alan's second and new solo album.
Wonderland is not a lot different in style to that of the debut. The songs are still soft pop, mixed with a little of the Westcoast and AOR styles.
Basically it is a mature collection of ballads and pop songs for those that don't mind some reflective music every know and then and possibly a little soft 'night' music.
Tracks like Open For A Friend, Home, I Could Never Lie To You and Everybody Sing are all fine catchy pop songs and Colours Of Friends And Places offers a welcomed mid-album style and tempo change.
BOTTOM LINE: Fans of Alan's debut release should come away equally as impressed with the improvement as I did. Those looking for a Glass Tiger inspired burst of high-tech AOR will be sadly disappointed. If you are looking for an album of very soft acoustic and vocal driven pop, then samples this by all means. But it's not for everyone.
PRODUCTION: 85% SONGS: 75% VIBE: 65%ATTITUDE: 65%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Die-hard Glass Tiger fans and fans of soft pop rock.
DISCOGRAPHY:Glass Tiger; Solo - Hold On . Wonderland

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