There is no finer outlet to showcase Joe Lynn Turner's emotional versatility and nuanced depths than the Sunstorm releases. These focus his talents into the realm of AOR, that melodic rich subgenre that pinpoints the softer side, a sleek pop rock crossover. Joe Lynn Turner has held audiences in thrall for over thirty years in a wide variety of bands and solo efforts from his 70s beginnings in Fandango to hopping across a multitude of outfits and artists including Rainbow, Deep Purple, Brazen Abbot, Yngwie Malmsteen, Blackmore's Night and so many more.
 
Sunstorm's material is a mixture of borrowed tracks and originals in an effort to maintain a balance of sweet ballads and lofty uptempo tracks. Production is fairly even, musicianship spot-on and the songs picked to show off his voice to its best advantage. "House of Dreams" strives to become a showcase piece to wrap that charming, personality oozing voice around fluffy musical exteriors that touch the heart and enrich the soul. And sometimes they are just there to make your mood a happier one.   Also of note are the guitars which are handled by Uwe Reitenaur who also did a brilliant job with Place Vendome's "Streets of Fire". 

"Divided" begins with these lightly dancing keys, silver chiming ribbons weaving over the rhythm electric guitars and illuminating the commanding strength of that voice. Turner picks up the lead and runs with it, stretching his voice over the music like paint on a canvas. Full of brilliant color and the artistic touch of hope, all caught in the prism of gloriously upbeat AOR. Amidst all the color, the chorus is butter smooth and shines like pure gold. "I've come to doubt if I've ever been alive..." "It only takes an instant, just a moment to feel alive..."
 
Another brilliant uptempo piece, "Don't Give Up" sees Turner spinning his magic web against the synth-heavy rock confection. Hooks abound everywhere, the music unfiltered happiness sparkling like bubbly in the blood. Soft as morning sunshine, and hopeful as a rainbow in a rainstorm, that's "The Spirit Inside". Sappy keyboards and a feel-good rock drive bring "I Found Love" to life in all its 1980s spiritual glory. A little repetitive in comparison to others on the disc however, and one of the weaker points due to its conventional single mindedness.
 
Naked guitars and the earthy organic feel of ivory set the table for this classic styled monster ballad in the Survivor mold makes up the calm, patient beauty of "Say You Will". Thicker, frantic, straight up hard rock comes pounding down the track for "Gutters of Gold". It is fire and flames, speaking of civilization decline in our cities. The rhythm and six strings foremost in the mix driving home the point that the AOR track is somewhere lingering behind. This one is undisputed rock'n'roll, yet still finding a strong melodic line rippling throughout. Not one of the disc's better tracks, but its placement makes it stand out, whereas the earlier songs would pop no matter what corner they were shoved into.

Frothy waters dash the flames for the soothing balm of beauty that is the emotionally enrapturing "Save A Place in Your Heart". Uptempo vocal focused AOR, Turner absolutely has this one wrapped around his fingers, his vocal nuances being the filigree that pulls the strings and brings out the intricacies tucked away in the music. "Forever Now" continues the heated feelings and flowing melodic structures. This one is more triumphant, mixing that chorus up into an exclamation of forever pledged romance. A Hallmark card set to music.

The simplistic loveliness of vocals and piano, drums keeping time, make "Tears on the Pages" a relief and a joy. It starts climbing up that Survivor stairway, stepping up from that delicate softness to the lyrically expressive choruses and overcharged emotions shimmering like little stars poking through the black at midnight. It's butterfly wings reflecting the sun, the sparkling diamonds of morning dew on a spring flower. An outpouring of sorrow despite the prettiness. "Where are you now...hear me cryin'"

"House of Dreams" is absolute ecstacy, sweeping you off your feet with its adrenaline rush and out-of-this-world melodic pacing. Turner's low, seducing vocals as soft as wet velvet, turning into shiny silk for the bombastic AOR explosion that is the chorus. Guitars cut their way through in fancy swirls, stepping back and forth between the speakers for a striking effect grounded by synth. Simply magnificent.

A storyteller feel overwhelms "Walk On". It has that Desmond Child stamp all over it, and indeed was written by Child and Turner for Jimmy Barnes's "Freight Train Heart" from 1987. There's a longing here that transcends the reflective, broken hearted atmosphere. There's also no doubt that with another vocalist in charge, this song would likely be just another forgettable ballad. Its slow pace and nonexistent punch hurts its overall effect, and the only real emotional charge is whipped up by JLT's performance. A bit of a downer to end the album on.

Sunstorm is a catchy cupcake of an album. A surprisingly dense confection hidden inside a drowning amount of sticky sugar-shocking sweet frosting bursting in flavor. But it's absolutely delicious, addictive and beautifully created. Turner sounds fantastic, the songs fit him perfectly and are great tunes in their own right. There are some wonderful songs here, "Divided", "The Spirit Inside", "House of Dreams" just to name a few that will likely find themselves in the ranks of Turner's finest works. His voice, charm and personality has certainly not faded with age, but rather grown more lusterous with time. Strong songs are its primary strength and Joe Lynn Turner the attraction you pay to hear, a combination that makes Sunstorm's "House of Dreams" an AOR album that any fan of the genre should be eager to experience.

Written by Alanna
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 8.5/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 2 ratings.



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guitarman Rating: 8.5/10 No review was posted

Little Drummer Boy Rating: 7.5/10 Solid release. Regarding that Survivor feel in the songs Say You Will, Gutters Of Gold... · Read more ·

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Review by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Tuesday, May 12, 2009

View Profile Comments: 166 Ratings: 46 Solid release. Regarding that Survivor feel in the songs Say You Will, Gutters Of Gold & Tears On The Pages, I can hear Jimi singing those songs in my head, especially Say You Will. Actually most of this CD is appropriate. With that being said Jim Peterik wrote it though Tears On The Pages is a collaboration (thought I open that up for the readers since you mentioned Desmond Child). I am personally am not as sold on this CD as your review. I am not sure what it is. Perhaps it is the way they finished off the CD. It did not leave me hungry for more rather a little lost feeling that there should have been more. Plus my measure of his vocal prowess is when he sang for Malmsteen and Deep Purple. Realistically that is when he was in his prime and was nearly 2 decades ago. I think if they left out Walk On and replaced it with another piece written by T&J Martin it would have been balanced. Anyways 7.5 is still a strong rating and is definitely worth the pick up. Rating: 7.5/10 Posted by Little Drummer Boy Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Comment by ProfessorShred (Member) - Monday, May 18, 2009

View Profile Comments: 16 Ratings: 45 I was a little put off with this release,given the pedigree thought it would be a memorable album from reading Allana's thought provoking review. Turner is certainly one of the better vocalists in the genre,and the guitar playing on most of the songs was competent,but the songs themselves lacked any real memorable hooks/melodies that would make me come back for repeat listening. Rating: 6/10 Posted by ProfessorShred Monday, May 18, 2009

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Wednesday, May 20, 2009

View Profile Comments: 245 I think this is still a very good album. Maybe more of an 8 but still... Turner's finest vocal performances were no doubt the last two Rainbow discs, the "Rescue You" solo album and Malmsteen's "Odyssey". Of course, these were all within a few years span and about 20 years ago, too. I believe that Turner is at his best doing AOR which he doesn't seem to do very often, so any disc in that genre that's thrown our way, I seem to get overly excited about. "Divided" and "The Spirit Inside" are two very awesome songs, any way you slice it. Cheers! Posted by Alanna (Staff) Wednesday, May 20, 2009