Blanc Faces. Falling From The Moon
A fine collection of AOR sweets...fluffy, tasty and with something meaningful to add lyrically.
 
Chris Laney. Pure
Direct Hard Rock with a sleazy touch, mostly catchy and with a fitting raw attitude.
 
Gotthard. Need To Believe
I really like the melodic chorus in Unspoken Words while the title track holds a nice standard as well, but this simply isn't exciting enough as a whole. A pretty good disc but I miss the crunch and drive Lipservice had.
 
Guilt Machine. On This Perfect Day
Another project from Arjen, this time with a personal and deep side wrapped into a hypnotic veil of gloomy scenes from reality. I'm not as thrilled as I use to be with his works but it definitely hits something interesting and unique.
 
House Of Lords. House Of Lords
It properly sounded more impressive way back in 1988 but compared to Come To My Kingdom and World Upside Down it doesn't stand a chance. Decent album.
 
Journey. Escape (Remastered)
Steve Perry has a magical set of pipes, just hearing him sing Stone In Love is special.
This album was a milestone for the band and with a song like Don't Stop Believing you really can't go wrong.
 
Manowar. Thunder In The Sky (EP)
The new songs have power and sound good, but I miss more epic drama...something magic...something like Archilles.
The fifteen different takes of Father are impressive, the Norwegian version is the one that comes closest to Danish and Eric handles it pretty damn well I must say.
 
Overland. Diamond Dealer
Smoothly overflowing with a mellow sense of heartfelt bliss. A fantastic voice and a nice round of AOR with the choirs in City Of Dreams as an absolute highlight.
 
Redemption. Snowfall On Judgment Day
The lyrics are some of, if not the best, all year and as you get near the tenth spin the emotionally dramatic puzzle begins to show its true potential...a grand one indeed.
 
Voices Of Rock. High And Mighty - Vol. II
Not quite as energetic as the first volume but worth a listen for sure. Tonight (Joe Lynn Turner) and In The Heart Of The Young (Tony Mills) hold the banner high.
 
W.E.T. Wet
Is it possible not to listen to this masterpiece each day?
Is it possible not to sing along from start to finish?
Until now the answer is a big bold NO WAY. Review coming up.

Written by Tommy
Wednesday, November 11, 2009