I feel like I'm drowning in music at the time so my playlist is a bit late and again a bit long. It contains a clear mark of warming up to "Esbjerg Rock Festival" with Skagarack (reunited), Saxon, Foreigner and Europe on the bill, great festival with a report coming up.
We are already half way through the year so here's a short status of the albums that have shown the most potential until now in my book:
Dream Theater. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
Bad Habit. Above And Beyond
Place Vendome. Streets Of Fire
Hardline. Leaving The End Open
Sunstorm. House Of Dreams
Cage. Science Of Annihilation
And then there's the playlist:
Bad Habit. Adult Orientation
With their extremely catchy AOR sound this album comes off as a clear winner with a smooth consistent flow.
Bonfire. Fireworks (Re-release)
Bombastic and übercool Hard Rock disc from the German veterans. It's funny listening to Sweet Obsession, which also features on Joe Lynn Turner's Second Hand Life, both great versions. The disc is filled with catchy melodies and American Nights will light up every party you invite it to.
Dream Theater. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
Once again the band has renewed itself without compromising it's own ideals. 6 tracks and a total of 75 minutes equals a very demanding album but the band succeeds brilliantly with a fantastic range of diversity, melody, technicality and what stands out very clearly, a massive wall of tense moods.
Europe. Europe (Re-release)
Debut album with all that implies. Loose song writing, pretty poor production and a band still having a lot to learn, but it's got heart and passion.
Europe. Wings Of Tomorrow (Re-release)
Something rather different to say the least. A metallic blast of screaming guitars and powerful tunes makes this a great album.
Europe. Out Of This World
A strong effort with a lot of classic material, I somehow feel they could have spiced things up even more with a less polished and controlled approach. The way Joey sings the chorus in Just The Beginning gets to me every time and no one can deny the magic that is Superstitious.
Europe. Prisoners In Paradise
Fantastic album. Haflway To Heaven reaches celestial highs when it comes to melodic catchiness.
Europe. Start From The Dark
The modern sounding comeback album with a few misses but it slowly gains strength through some fine harmonies and clever passages.
Europe. Soul Society
Razor sharp, ingenious, groovy, quite modern but still effectively melodic Hard Rock.
Foreigner. Foreigner (Re-release)
A promising debut with an overall high level of quality material. Feels Like The First Time, now that's how to start an album and a career.
Foreigner. Head Games (Re-release)
A bit harsher sounding but still unmistakably Foreigner with Lou Gramm in total control.
Foreigner. Unusual Heat
Not among their best but Ready For The Rain and When The Night Comes Down are two memorable highlights.
Foreigner. Mr. Moonlight
Foreigner's last studio album from 1995 is a moody and soulful effort. Gramm sounds fantastic and the extensive use of acoustic guitars gives it a special atmospheric feel. A couple of average tracks but songs like White Lie and Hand On My Heart easily weigh it out. Next year a new studio album should see the day of light.
Hardline. Double Eclipse
The great debut with Neal Schon (Journey) on board the ship. A special mention must go to Rhythm From A Red Car with a basic fundament that will throw you hard back into your seat, just phenomenal Hard Rock.
Hardline. Leaving The End Open
Soulful, dark hearted, ingenious and unique. Gioli's sounds awesome and Josh Ramos' guitar work shows a lot of different shades. It takes time to open up.
Iron Maiden. A Matter Of Life And Death
I don't think there is one single completely amazing song on this compact collection. Brighter Than A Thousands Suns is quite majestic, Different World rocks nicely and so the album goes along with a bunch of enjoyable tunes, but it just hasn't got the magic touch.
Queensrÿche. American Soldier
I had a hard time figuring this one out, somehow it seems distant and without focus, on the other hand there are passages and elements that are quite interesting and compelling. Overall the good stuff outweighs the less successful elements (as the considerable use of narration).
Saxon. Heavy Metal Thunder
13 classic songs rerecorded with extreme power and still with a youthful energy.
Skagarack. Skagarack (Re-release)
High soaring keys and memorable melodies are basic ingredients when it comes to Danish AOR rockers debut album released in 1986. No need to make things more complex than necessary. No wonder I'm Alone was a hit back in the eighties.
Skagarack. Hungry For A Game (Re-release)
Amazing AOR release. Take Me Home Tonight has one of the most thrilling keyboard melodies ever.
Skagarack. A Slice Of Heaven (Re-release)
Great production and a solid disc with the first four songs standing out, Anytime, Anywhere is a personal favourite with the most sticky chorus line.
Skagarack. Big Time
Their weakest album but still worth a listen once in a while. Hold On Just One More Time is irresistible but it's clear that the good ideas were running low.
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