Various Reviews Mini December 2004

Enuff Z Nuff - ? (Perris Records) www.perrisrecords.com More of the same Beatlesque inspired power pop from Chip & Donnie. Nothing unusual, so one for established fans and converts. Good production makes it a solid release. Billy Falcon – Released (Indie) www.billyfalcon.com Billy's unreleased 1995 album that was to be his third release on Mercury before being dropped. Finally released now by Billy and one for established fans. Produced by Obie O'Brien and Jon Bon Jovi. Very soft and smooth and largely acoustic based, featuring classy song writing. All Bon Jovi guys have guest roles. Fist – Storm (Demolition) www.demolitionrecords.com The NWOBHM outfit featuring Keith Satchfield comeback for a fresh dose of old school metal. Best appreciated by established fans and those into the late 70s/early 80s UK metal sound. Twisted Sister – Still Hungry (Demolition) www.demolitionrecords.com Doing it all over 20 years later another release for the established fan base, but enjoyable nevertheless. Not too many changes in place, but the real value in this release is the 2 bonus tracks from 1984 and 4 brand new 2004 studio tracks - plus Japanese buyers get a DVD with an August 2004 interview with Dee Snider and Mark Mendoza. Great value for fans. LA – Unfinished Business (Escape Music) www.escape-music.com This album features the Danish band's unreleased 80's demos re-recorded in 2004 at Jailhouse Studios in Copenhagen with well-known producer Tommy Hansen. The limited edition comes with the remastered debut LA album as bonus disc. Their sound is described as American type hard rock that will please any fans of bands such as early Riot, early Virgin Steele, Leatherwolf and Driver. I have to agree and the sound quality is very good and 2CDs equals good value. Talisman – Life & Five Out Of Five Live (Rock Treasures/GMR Music) www.talismanworld.com / www.gmrmusic.se There has been some classic re-issues in really tidy packages this year, but could Talisman's re-releases be the best of them all? All titles come as 2CD sets, all with slip cases, detailed booklets and liner notes. The second CD is what fans will really go nuts for, with unreleased and rare tracks included for just about every release. This has obviously been a labor of love and a sign of true class from the boys. Life comes with a bonus CD being the band's official live release . The Life CD also includes 3 bonus demos. Talisman – Truth & Live At Sweden Rock Festival (Rock Treasures/GMR Music) www.talismanworld.com / www.gmrmusic.se Truth comes with 2 bonus demo tracks and a complete live show from Sweden Rock Festival in 2001. A different show altogether from the Five Out Of Five release and a value packed 15 track show! Talisman – Genesis (Rock Treasures/GMR Music) www.talismanworld.com / www.gmrmusic.se Genesis comes in its original form with a bonus disc containing no less than 10 bonus demo tracks and a video for Mysterious. This is the kind of stuff fans wish all their favourite bands would do. Talisman have definitely set the benchmark here. Talisman – Talisman (Rock Treasures/GMR Music) www.talismanworld.com / www.gmrmusic.se The now legendary debut album comes in its original form with a bonus disc containing 8 demos and 6 live tracks from 1990 – this time around not featuring JSS! The live tracks in this case aren't the best quality, but the demos, as in all cases are great quality. Talisman – Humaniman Parts 1 & 2 (Rock Treasures/GMR Music) www.talismanworld.com / www.gmrmusic.se Another 2 albums are packed here in one 2CD set. No extras this time – apart from the bonus video of Colour My XTC. The bonus here is getting 2 albums for the price of one. Mike Tramp – The Bootleg Series (Indie) www.miketramp.com Mike has raided his personal tape and CDR vault to dig up some truly amazing gems for fans of his solo career and in particular, the band White Lion. Just like the Talisman re-issues, this cool box set really digs deep to uncover some gems. Long time fans of White Lion have a stack of new music to dig through and a lot of alternative versions and outtakes to compare to the originals. And again, just like the Talisman re-issues, this box sets a new benchmark for what other artists should try and achieve when really putting something together for the fans. The quality throughout is very good and generally consistent, and while not A1 CD quality, is still very enjoyable and good enough to crank up and rock out to. Each disc comes with some explanation of the tracks and the session they were taken from, as explained by Mike himself. Breaking each disc down: Studs & Danish Lions This is a 2CD set featuring two of Mike's earliest recordings. Studs is his band from 1981 and features 11 tracks in total, as does the 1982 Danish Lions material. It's a little dated and rough around the edges, and more for the completists out there. White Lion – Unreleased '83 – '85 This features 17 unreleased tracks from the band including a track or two that would appear later on (After A Broken Heart). Quality varies, but is mostly very good – as long as you understand these are demos. White Lion – Pride Take 1 '86 The album Pride was recorded once before being scrapped and started on again. This is the original first take and is a very interesting snapshot of the band and the recording process as a whole. Includes 23 tracks – 7 from the original 1986 work tape and the complete original recording featuring 10 tracks. White Lion – Big Game Demos This is the original demos for the Big Game album with 2 bonus tracks from 1991 – unplugged tracks that would be the last time Vito and Mike recorded together. White Lion – Mane Attraction Start To Finish This CD features 16 tracks and is the entire Amigo Studio pre-production recording, featuring alternative takes on all the Mane Attraction songs, plus a track that didn't make the final album. Mike & Oliver – Friends For Life This features 15 tracks Mike recorded as a solo artist with friend Oliver Steffensen of Freak Of Nature. The guys wrote and recorded many tunes and this is an over-view of that work. More in line with Mike's solo style. John Young – Significance (Indie) www.youngjohn.co.uk Keyboard player John Young has been a session musician and touring keyboardist with such artists as Bonnie Tyler and The Scorpions. Significance is his solo album that touches on various influences of mellow classic rock and ambient softly presented new age pop. This is well recorded and presented, and could be one for fans of bands like Asia, Marillion and Alan Parsons. John Young – Live At The Classic Rock Society 2003 (Indie) www.youngjohn.co.uk This 9 track CD follows the last studio release and would have similar appear, except this time it's live and a little more uptempo to fit the mood of the event. Various – A Tribute To 80's Heavy Metal (Steelheart Records) www.adrenaline.it Horrible. Mainly unknown names cover a range of rock tunes from the obscure (Metal Church, Loudness) to the obvious (Judas Priest, Dio, Metallica). Very average recordings, average performances and close to pointless concept (especially when some artists paid tribute to have their roots in the 70's and Dream Theater hadn't even formed yet). Simple Plan – Still Not Getting Any (Warner) www.simpleplan.com I think I like the debut better. I thought this album blended into a pack of several other releases out in 2004 that didn't really have the unique individuality they should have had. I love nothing more than a classy nu-breed release, but this power pop/punk is beginning to sound all the same. Barry Sparks – Can't Look Back (Indie) www.barrysparks.com Barry steps out solo from Dokken for his own album. This is very different from his past work and quite diverse. Everything from modern hard rock to Beatles inspired psychedelic retro pop. There is some straight ahead stuff too. Very well recorded and presented, but not for the fainthearted – one for those that appreciate true diversity in one record. Surrender – Surrender (Escape Music) www.escape-music.com Another classy re-issue from Escape, packed in a regular jewel case featuring the original Surrender album, the 4 track EP that followed it and a great value 8 additional bonus tracks. Digitally remastered and featuring original artwork. Classy! Paul Janz – High Strung (Escape Music) www.escape-music.com Canada's Paul Janz is responsible for some enjoyable melodic pop/rock gems over the years and High Strung was one of his best albums. This is a straight re-issue, but packaged with all original artwork. Oceandrive – Blue (Indie) www.oceandrive@twlighlightproject.com This independent German band play their own mix of Westcoast and soft pop. Well recorded and featuring some solid songs, this is one for fans of the very soft side of rock. Not quite as smooth as some Scandinavian and US Westcoast, but a worthy indie release. Wig Wam – 667 Neighbour Of The Beast (Global Music) www.wigwam.no A great title for fans of good fun, uptempo glam rock. A seriously good album for lovers of Poison inspired good times and music comparable to Pretty Boy Floyd and early Motley Crue. What makes it world class is a big production style a la Def Leppard. All those ingredients are mixed with some super catchy tunes and blended into a Scandinavian style sound. I should have given these guys more time during the year, but sadly I just didn't get time. Highly recommended though! Richard Marx – My Own Worst Enemy (EMI) www.richardmarx.com A very well rounded and tidy comeback release from Marx. Very smooth and more adult contemporary than his earlier pop/rock material, but nevertheless, extremely well written and performed and compares to some of his best work. Very fine indeed. Red 37 – Red 37 (Indie) www.thenelsonbrothers.com This is a project featuring the trio of Matthew Nelson, JJ Farris (ex-Tories) and Brian Burwell (ex-Neve). But it's rather a bizarre project – thus far never officially released and only currently available as a self-pressed CDR from the Nelson site! As for the music – it's modern rock with pop and punk influences – catchy and pleasant enough, but nothing that outshines what is already available from others though. Tony Hernando – III (Lion Music) www.lionmusic.com Predictable, but enjoyable guitar instrumentals. Lots of variation in style and tempo. Obviously a great talent. Vox Tempus – In The Eye Of Time (Indie) www.vox-tempus.com Very enjoyable heavy rock release with strong progressive elements and a tough, contemporary, hard edged guitar sound accompanied by a James LaBrie style vocal. A definite must look for those into heavy progressive music. Vixen – Vixen & Rev It Up (EMI) www.vixenrock.com Two solid albums, re-issued to cash-in on a VH1 Band Reunited appearance, but released with no effort at all – a simple re-pressing of the original discs with no bonus material or new info. Don Mancuso – D:Drive (Indie) The album has somewhat disappeared, so I can't be sure where you will buy a copy if still in need. Featuring Phil Naro on vocals and guest Lou Gramm on 3 tracks, this release is enjoyable straight ahead melodic rock, with Gramm putting in a better effort than the recent Liberty & Justice release and Phil Naro doing his always fabulous best. Only problem being the material – which is ok, but not as catchy or as memorable as it could and should have been. Travers & Appice – It Takes A Lot Of Balls (SPV) www.carmineappice.net Two of rock n roll's greats – guitarist Pat Travers and the drummer Carmine Appice. This is an ok release, rocking along with touches of blues, boogie and southern rock interspersed between more straight ahead numbers – all with a classic rock feel. Raw, rough and rock n roll. One for established fans of the guys – not for the unfamiliar. Ghost Machinery – Haunting Remains (Sound Riot) www.ghostmachinery.com / www.soundriot.net Pretty good neo-classical European power metal – lots of riffs, good vocals and solid production. Nothing I haven't heard before, but enjoyable. Boogie Stuff – Have Mercy! (Sky Productions) www.boogiestuff.com As the title implies .rock n roll boogie in an American style from this German outfit. Not bad, but not essential, even for ZZ Top fans! Featuring former Frank Zappa vocalist Jimmy Carl Black on 3 tracks. Chris Church – Let The Echo Decide (Jealousy Records) www.jealousy-records.com Ed James – Big Time (Jealousy Records) www.jealousy-records.com Two records with equal appeal – both from the same label and both featuring similar styles and musical outlooks. These are both enjoyable records, featuring straight ahead melodic pop/rock with a mid-western feel. Worth checking out sound samples for fans of stripped back, no frills rock. Lost Fate – Where Dreams Have No End (Secret Port Records) www.secretport.com The label is going to love me when they read this – but this is a seriously God-awful Euro metal release with a cruddy hollow production and some seriously bad vocals. I mean seriously awful vocals. Where'd this singer come from? He's all over the show. Yikes Possibly the worst release of 2004. Mike Dimareli – Fantasy (Secret Port Records) www.secretport.com Another guitar shred instrumental album with several nice laid back passages that show a depth of talent beyond soloing. Not as polished a sound as the bigger name releases, but ok for guitar solo fans. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway (BMG) www.kellyclarkson.com Wouldn't normally dedicate any time to this – but as I'm just touching on a number of titles, I wanted to give this album some props. All pre-conceptions aside, this is a very fine album of straight ahead pop/rock, with an edgier Avril Lavigne style that suits the American Idol winner. Some great songs here – a few anthems and some classy ballads. All in all, a really fine vocal performance. Definitely surprised me! John Waite – The Hard Way (No Brakes Records) www.johnwaiteonline.com My deep appreciation and 20 year love of John Waite the vocalist is getting a bit of a hit from my dislike of John Waite the decision maker. This record is a badly wasted opportunity. Launched via his own label, it offers little of value for established fans of JW and those who aren't probably won't hear about it. So why not put together a true value package for fans that have stood by him and will continue support him? You tell me This features a mere 9 songs – one of which is an acoustic bonus track – Missing You, which is such an obvious choice in itself – why not dig up something a little more obscure? One other track is a plain Bob Dylan cover and 6 other tracks are alternative mixes from the last studio album. The 1 remaining track is an instrumental to one of those tracks – Godhead. Another strange decision – why do solo vocalists include instrumentals on their albums?? Love the voice – hate the decisions being taken. Song quality aside – this is not a good value release, no matter which way you look at it. Goo Goo Dolls – Live In Buffalo (Warner) www.googoodolls.com A nice raw, live recording of a great band. Stripped back from their very polished studio albums, this sees the Goos playing a hometown open air gig – compete with torrential downpour. Missing are the overdubs and the layered harmonies, but if I wanted a studio record, I'd play a studio record! A great snap shot of the band which comes with a DVD of the actual gig. Now that is good value. RPM - RPM (MTM Classix) www.mtm-music.com RPM is fronted by Robert White Johnson, who established greater fame as a songwriter, with tracks written covered by the likes of Celine Dion, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, Peter Wolf, Y&T, Van Zant and even Jennifer Rush. The band released this debut album through EMI - it found a cult following, but never broke through into mainstream success. The band folded after a move to Warner Bros. failed to ignite further interest. The band's last sessions are featured here in the form of another 5 bonus tracks. Musically speaking RPM is classic very early 80's American FM rock a la I-Ten, Franke And The Knockouts. Zeno - Zeno (MTM Classix) www.mtm-music.com Zeno is another of melodic rock's cult character's that produces an album about as often as a politician admits a mistake. Sadly his talent is underutilized and his status as a contributor to the legacy of this genre is also understated, as he just doesn't produce enough material. Thankfully though, when he does, it's of very high quality and this, his debut album, was the one that started it all. Vocalist Michael Flexig is a perfect pick to project the energy and power of Zeno's songs and accompany his guitar playing. Additional guests include vocalist Chris Thompson, drummer Chuck Burgi, and keyboardist Don Airey. The liner notes are a little fruity and not all tracks receive comments, but at least some attempt was made to add to the original package. The art and pictures aren't as clear as one would hope, but this is likely a case of the re-issue label not getting access to the original proofs. Soundwise, this has dated more so than his later works, but stands up as an enjoyable slice of over the top, 80's European hard rock / melodic pomp. M.ill.ion - Catalogue Re-Issues: No. 1, We Ourselves & Us, Electric, Detonator (Majestic Rock Records) www.majesticrock.com Million are a very good band indeed, but it's taken until this year' release to reach their pinnacle. Their debut album No. 1 was released in 1992, with other albums released in 1994, 1998 and 2001. Majestic Rock, the label behind the new album have brought together re-masters of the first 4 albums – which are an ideal accompaniment to the new release. Plenty of great European melodic hard rock here for those that wish to trace backwards, with Electric & Detonator probably my favourite of the albums. Empire - Hypnotica (Lion Music) www.lionmusic.com Empire's 2001 album is possibly one of those re-issues not warmly welcomed by fans. It's a great album – as I have reviewed previously, but there seems little reason why it is now re-issued in a limited edition digipack format with 3 extra tracks. Fans that bought the original only 3 years ago can rightly feel a little annoyed. The three extra tracks won't sway many of those to re-purchase this, but to those that missed it first time around, it is a very high quality album. The all-star line-up of mainly European names come together to produce a pretty compelling album of powerful European hard rock. Empire features: Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Gary Moore), Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire), Lance King (Balance of Power, Mattsson), Anders Johansson (Hammerfall, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Don Airey (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), with the help of Rolf Munkes and Gerald Kloos. A solid line-up behind a solid album. Styx - Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology (Universal Records) www.styxworld.com The Sytx legacy should not have to be explained - they are one of rock n roll's greatest bands ever and this release is a testament to that. Not too many bands can command 2CD sets filled with killer tracks and then have room for more! I have been highly critical of the number of compilations these guys have released - but in most cases, the band doesn't have full control over what record labels do. However, their Sanctuary released compilations and various live releases have been excessive. This release is put together by Universal Records. I'll forgive past compilations on the strength this one is so good. 35 tracks spanning the band's entire career, including one track each from Edge Of The Century, Return To Paradise and Cyclorama. Sadly there is nothing rare or unreleased featured, but the detailed liner notes and all round good packaging make this a tidy little release. Various Artists - Hey That's What I Call Sludge! 1 (Metal Sludge Records) www.metal-sludge.com A good fun compilation this - high energy hard rock and metal is surrounded by the odd comedy piece from the Metal Sludge All-Stars. Very Spinal Tap and very enjoyable. The CD takes in a variety of genre's - metal (Pain For Pleasure, Drill 187), hard rock (Jizzy Pearl, Tuff), melodic rock (Firehouse) and nu-breed (40ft Ringo, London Calling, LIT). There's more, but check out the site for full details. Sludge feature a different range of artists than I do here, but their compilation has the same goals as mine - to sum up the best tracks by the best artists - and I think they do that pretty well here. Waysted - Save Your Prayers (Majestic Rock) www.majesticrock.com Waysted's Save Your Prayers has been a long out of print cult classic that has fetched some big money on E-Bay. Now the CD is available better than ever, thanks to remaster treatment by Majestic Rock Records. The album was the one and only from the band to feature melodic rock favourite Danny Vaughn on vocals. More melodic rock and classic AOR in the vein of Tyketto than its blusier predecessors, Save Your Prayers is a vital link in the collections of all fans of Vaughn and Tyketto. This re-issue also features the two bonus tracks featured on the one-time short lived release on CD in the late 80s. 707 - The Bridge (MTM Records) www.mtm-music.com 707's The Bridge album has been lost in the vaults for many years and sees the light of day thanks to the new co-operation between band guitarist Kevin Russel and MTM Music. The album was another victim of record label politics and was cut from schedules before it could be released in the very early 80's. So here it is now with 3 bonus tracks - an essential piece of the 707 puzzle that fans will enjoy, but it isn't an album for newcomers. Those curious about the 707 legacy best check out the classic AOR re-issue of the Mega Force album - also through MTM. The material here has definitely dated, but as stated, for fans of the band it represents the infamous lost years and is an attractive package to look at. A tidy release that does justice to the MTM Classix label name. Fate - A Matter Of Attitude (MTM Classix) www.mtm-music.com Wow, this brings back memories....I still have the cassette of this someplace. This is a great little European melodic rock release from a band that never broke thorugh to mainstream success, but still did ok for themselves - especially in their native Denmark. This is commercial synth-metal with hooks, anthems and hair spray in all directions. This is a very keyboard heavy release, with a strong European accent, but plenty of catchy as hell choruses to relive our youth through. 2 harder and darker sounding bonus tracks provide a little extra value. Aldo Nova - Aldo Nova (Portrait) www.columbiarecords.com Another classic melodic rock artist – guitarist/singer/songwriter Aldo Nova had a strong impact on the early-mid 80's before becoming better known as a session man/producer. His debut is a classic piece of early 80's melodic pop rock, but this re-issue doesn't add much from the original CD release. An alternative version of the album track Fooling Yourself, and a remastered sound is all that's on offer. Let's have a re-issue of Twitch now! Warrant - Cherry Pie & Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (Legacy) www.columbiarecords.com Interesting choice of re-issues here – seeing that the band isn't really that active and Jani Lane has since departed. But the Sony re-mastering is among the best sounding on the market, so that's a definite plus. Both albums thankfully add 2 extra tracks – 2 demos apiece. One for fans to pick up again or for a younger audience to see what really was going on in the musical pre-Nirvana riches of 1989-1992. Riverdogs - Riverdogs (Bad Reputation / FGL) www.badreputation.fr One of the best re-releases of the year. Bad Reputations re-mastering is possibly the best on the market, topping even Sony's 24bit efforts. The Riverdogs debut (featuring Rob Lamothe & Vivian Campbell) is a great little melodic rock album and is still highly underrated. This is a seriously good, intelligent and mature rock record that all should at least check out. As an added bonus for fans, the very rare and bloody great promo-only release On Air has been dug up. This 12 track radio sampler features the band live on air across America during their promotional tour for the debut album. It captures the songs from the album live acoustically through various radio performances and really adds another dimension to the songs and the warmth and charisma of the band. Fabulous and utterly essential! Robin George - Dangerous Music Live '85 (Majestic Rock Records) www.majesticrock.com Dangerous Music was George's breakthrough release and remains his most acclaimed piece of work. This is an accompanying live recording, which features a full band performance of the tracks from the much loved release. Fans should enjoy this, as despite the recording being 20 years old, it still sounds pretty fresh and is easy listening thanks to being a soundboard recording. There are source errors – lifted from tape obviously, but for fans, it's still a good fun gig. Gotthard - One Team One Spirit (BMG) www.bmg.ch Closing the chapter on this part of Gotthard's history is this 2CD set which features 4 new tracks amongst the 36 on offer. Divided between a disc of rockers and a disc of ballads, the songs highlight why Gotthard are one of Switzerland's' most successful exports ever. Some very fine hard rock and melodic rock on offer here. If you are new to the band or have always considered investigating their sound, there is no finer place to start than with this compilation.

Various Reviews Mini December 2004: Part 2

Switchblade – Switchblade Serenade (Perris Records) www.perrisrecords.com Pretty simple, but enjoyable straight ahead hard rock from this European outfit with a US deal. Style wise, we are talking bluesy/biker hard rock, along the lines of Axe, Rose Tattoo and maybe early LA Guns. Against the band is very simple arrangements and a weak production, but the guitar work is good and overall vibe is fun. Arena Sweden – Arena Sweden (GMR Music) www.arenavip.com Arena features vocalist Dennis Radoicic (from Swedish TV talent show Fame Factory 2003) and Hal Marabel (ex-Bad Habit) providing all instruments and programming. This is very pop – I mean very pop – pure, programmed, dance friendly radio pop, except it features a great singer and some melodic friendly hooks. One for those that like a little pop on the side and perhaps have a thing for A-ha, Back Street Boys and the like. Very smooth and rather good for what it is – but not for everyone! Jaded Heart – Mystery Eyes & Inside Out (BreakOut Classics) www.jadedheart.de The band has self-released their first two albums, making them available for the first time in a long time. Mystery Eyes comes with 3 additional bonus tracks and Inside Out adds 4 – all from the band's archives. Enjoyable albums and available through the band's website for those that need to complete the collections. The bonus tracks vary in quality, but are worthwhile nevertheless. Glass Tiger – No Turning Back (Capitol/EMI) www.glasstiger.ca The band has returned to action, touring in their native Canada and lining up a live release for 2005. This best of is a well timed title for the band to promote while on the road – with the added bonus of an accompanying DVD now available. 17 tracks are included – with single edits included for 7 tracks (good for those that already have all the albums), plus one b-side and a French version of the hit Diamond Sun. But it's the two new tracks that make this really worth buying - both recorded in 2003/4 with the help of Jim Vallance. No Turning Away and Give It Away find the band playing with a familiar format, updating their commercial pop sound to encompass 2004 production values. Very laid back tracks, but enjoyable along the lines of what Duran Duran and A-ha are now doing. Survivor – The Ultimate Survivor (BMG) www.bmgsmg.com Utterly essential for all – for those that have all the albums, this makes for a killer compilation and for those that missed the band first time around – witness their greatness through this wonderfully compiled CD. The band had a say in the track selection and added to the liner notes, which along with archive photos are an example of how all compilations should be done. A couple of rarities (original unreleased version of Rockin' Into The Night and the full length Summer Nights) add to the package – but the real value is adding this classy remastered release to your Survivor collection. Paul Shortino / JK Northrup – Back On Track (Shire Records) www.shire-records.com Another worthy re-issue – this one adding 4 unreleased bonus tracks to the original album that was released in 1993. More uptempo and rocking than the 2004 pairing of Shortino and Northrup, this is a great example of blues tinged American hard rock and stands up as fresh as it was a decade ago. Dakota – Deep Six (Melody Blvd) dakota.damall.com This deserved a full review and I do apologize to the band for not attending to it upon its release mid-year. This is a great old-school AOR album. Not the kind Journey are famous for – and not the kind featuring layers and layers of studio production. This is an album of slick musicians playing well written and perfectly crafted melodic pop/rock, with some great harmonies and hooks in all the right places. Think old school – Chicago, Styx, The Eagles. This is early 80s' style AOR, recorded in a manner ensuring it sounds fresh and contemporary. Great songs and great performances and great production. Jamie Rowe – Dios De Amor / Songs For Heaven And Earth (Vida Music) www.jamierowe.com Guardian and Adriangale's vocalist steps out solo with an interesting release that features the same 10 original songs twice over – once in English and once in Spanish. And not only that, but there's a bonus DVD with the package featuring 4 video clips. The style of the material isn't far from what London Calling is – modern rock, but this time there are more laid back and acoustic driven tracks. Essential for all fans of Jamie Rowe. Guitar Shorty – Watch Your Back (Alligator Music) www.guitarshorty.com Blues as pure as it gets. A terrific guitar fuelled blues album that features a gifted singer and guitarist, released on the Alligator label – the home of American blues. The melodic tie in is the involvement of the talented and musically diverse Jesse Harms. He produces this album and co-writes several tunes. One for fans of great music – regardless of the genre, but a love of Blues would be an advantage! Various Artists - Stars And Bars (Manassas Records) www.z-roxx.com This is a sampler for a number of southern rock n roll artists that are being distributed or handled by newly created UK label Manassas Records. Sound quality and song quality varies, but there are some solid tracks among the 15 offered here. Fans of Skynyrd and ZZ Top and all things southern that are always looking for new music would find some value in browsing through the bands featured. The Wildhearts – Must Be Destroyed (Gut Records) www.gutrecords.com Possibly the most attitude driven band in UK rock music, The Wildhearts have survived the industry and themselves to continue to deliver high-octane, guitar fuelled hard rock. They really only compare to themselves, but if I must, I guess early (heavy) Enuff ZNuff could be one measuring stick. The guys play their own brand of melodic, heavy distorted punk-pop hard rock. Make sense? Not really, but that's The Wildhearts. British all the way, this new album is 11 tracks that barely lets up in pace and intensity. Established fans have rated the album very highly and the guy shave managed to bring new fans in thanks to the whole Blink 182/Simple Plan style of rock popular in the USA currently. Schugar/Schenker – Under Construction (Indie) www.amyschugar.com Vocalist and guitarist Amy Schugar teams up with legend Michael Schenker for this 8 track 'official demo' – a way of getting her name out there and also get labels interested, while still selling the release to the public. The music is by Schenker, with Schugar providing lyrics and vocal melodies. It's an interesting release – the demo tag allows the team to get away with the sound, which is a little rough. Amy's voice is not one I've immediately warmed to – it's a little unusual. Song wise is much the same – nothing instantly memorable or catchy, but musically interesting for those looking for something a little different. A good start and worth checking out for Schenker fans, but others perhaps could wait for the final product. Cryptic Vision – Moments Of Clarity (Indie) www.crypticvision.net A musically adventurous album that features lead vocalist Todd Plant (Millennium), thankfully in much finer form that that band's last album. A mix of progressive and pomp, rock opera and classic era Styx. Quite an earful, yes, and I recommend sampling the album to get a full idea of its style. Perfectly executed and something just a little different for the progressive rock format. Not too heavy – not to light – just right! Daryl Hall – Live In Philadelphia 2004 (Untied Records) www.hallandoates.com An official website only solo release from the H&O frontman. This live concert – one of Daryl's first on US soil features 15 tracks of pop soul performed to an eager crowd. Not for the high-tech AOR fans of some H&O material, but a more laid back release concentrating on the soul side of things. No problem there, as the release sounds fabulous, but the nature of it means the listener has to pick the best moment to appreciate its contents. Concentrates on Daryl's solo soul material and includes only one H&O tune. John 5 – Vertigo (Shrapnel Records) www.shrapnelrecords.com Quite a line up here – Billy Sherwood, Kevin Savigar and Jay Schellen to name 3, plus the talents of renowned guitarist John 5 shredding his way through 13 instrumental tracks. The album crosses over several styles, fusion, metal, alternative rock and even rockabilly. Quite a range to play across, but John 5 handles everything with apparent ease. The production is first rate and all that remains is matching the album's diversity with guitar fans with a similar outlook. JR Blackmore – Recall The Past (Musikerei) www.musikerei.de This is a new 4 track EP, acting as a prelude to a full album later this year. The EP is all instrumental and features some fine guitar playing, in a more laid back and reflective style than your usual shred-instrumentals. Not bad, but maybe a full album will be more fulfilling. The Hideous Sun Demons (Magna Carta) www.magnacarta.net HSD is no less than David Lee Roth's current backing back, featuring bassist James LoMenzo, drummer Ray Luzier and guitarist Toshi Hiketa. This is an all instrumental affair, with music featured in a more straight ahead hard rock vein, with some slower, more intricate tracks for good balance. Of the instrumental releases featured here today, this would be my pick for its pure enjoyment factor. Star Rats – Broken Halo (Adrenaline Records) www.adrenaline.it This is a great sounding hard rock/metal release thanks to a huge guitar sound and a top notch production. Musically it's a mix of American sleaze rock and Euro metal, with some attitude filled lead vocals and some ear splitting metal riffs, all back by an impressive rhythm section. Well worth checking out. Aina – Days Of Rising Doom – The Metal Opera (Transmission) www.theendrecords.com Another release that should have received better coverage, but as it did in the metal press, the least I can do is bring it to your attention here in case you missed it elsewhere. This is another rock opera project – several have popped up in recent times (Genius, Nostradamus, Once And Future King) – the mastermind of which is German producer Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody, Kamelot), with performers such as Glenn Hughes, Oliver Hartman, Candice Night, Sass Jordan, Damian Wilson, Michael Kiske and more on board. This is probably the most intense and over the top metal opera of all – definitely residing on the heavier and more dramatic side of the tracks. Worth checking out for fans of neo-classical metal – it's a true roller coaster of a ride. And special marks for the value for money package the limited edition comes in – if it's still available you get a magic hardcopy, book style digipack, a second CD of alternative versions and a DVD featuring a video clip and several making of features. Great value for fans.