New Releases

After the excellent "Mr.Lucky" CD of a couple years ago, I eagerly anticipated a new Dakota album. I was not disappointed, as this is one of the finest releases of 1997.

What we have here is classic AOR, with hints at west coast, although this album rocks a lot harder than previous albums. This time around Jerry Hludzik is without Bill Kelly, hence the title "The Last Standing Man". Of course, Rick Manwiller is still in the fold, and Jerry's son Eli is now on drums. "Hot Nights" starts off the album, followed by the excellent "Somebody's Hero". Both these songs are classic Dakota. After a short acoustic interlude called "Waterfall", "Mama Teach" kicks in with some great guitar work. Really, can this get any better? Yes! "Run With The Wind" is a great uptempo song, as is "Litt1e Heartbreaker". "Over In A Minute" follows in quality with a killer chorus. I could go on, but you get the picture!

If you have not heard this album, beg, borrow, or steal to get a copy! Highly recommended!

Growing up on Long Island in the late 70's (is my age showing?), and listening to WBAB as much as much as any other teenager, it would have been difficult not to have heard of the The Good Rats. "Birth Comes To Us All" was the first Good Rats album I bought. The record contained classic songs like "You're Still Doing It," and "Cherry River". To this day the album remains a favorite in my collection. The Good Rats played my High school that year, and I proceeded to buy up their other albums. Now twenty years (!) later I have a chance to review the latest Good Rats CD. Needless to say, I am thrilled, even more so because this is a great disc!

"Tasty Seconds" is the Good Rats brought into the 90's. With sizzling guitar work from Gene Marchello, (Remember his excellent "Destiny" album?) "Cover of the Night" kicks things off nicely, and rocks harder than anything I remember hearing the Rats do before. "Evil Little Boy" continues the trend towards a heavier sound. "Major Minor Chords" changes the pace a bit. This is a fin track, not really AOR, but definitely Good Rats. "Crazy Wild and Angry" picks things up again, with some superb guitar work. "Football Madness" proves the band have retained their trademark sense of humor! "She's Staying Home Tonight," and "Feelin' Good Again" brings the groups sound closer to AOR, but for the most part this album rocks with an attitude that's absolutely infectious.

The Good Rats are Back! Now have some fun and buy this CD! Good Rats: P0 Box 585 St. James, NY 11780

Once again, never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a CD. The Celtic inspired cover art had me prepared for moody synthesizers and Enya styled vocals, but thankfully I was wrong. Broken Voices is an AOR trio. This CD Features Little RiverBand's Graham Goble, Stephen Housden, and Aussie session vocalist Susie Ahern, with most of the material written by Goble. As far as I am concerned, Graham Goble can do no wrong. From his amazing work with Little River Band, his underrated 1980 album with Beeb Birtles, to his recent solo albums. This guy knows what he is doing, and has the Hits to prove it!

Susie Ahern is a new name to me, but what a voice. "Lessons of Love" starts out the album, and has some nice background vocals similar to the mighty Little River Band. "Halls Of Justice" is my favorite off the disc, with huge production. This is the way I like my AOR! "Restless Heart" is equally impressive with some absolutely stunning vocals from Ms Ahern. "Into your Arms" has a slight Celtic flavor, sort of like an AOR version of Big Country (remember them?), but still very melodic. Album closer "I've Got Everything" reminds me of classic Tantrum.

This CD's a winner and has to be heard by anyone into AOR. Recommended.

I have heard some say Acoustic based groups such as Lowen & Navarro, The Rembrandts, and Venice are the future of AOR. After listening to this CD, maybe they are on to something.

Tommy Funderburk (Airplay, The Front, What if), and guitarist Bruce Gaitsch are King Of Hearts. This album is a compilation of their previous releases, with two unreleased tracks and a remix. The music is bright and sunny. Perfect for a gray Winter day! "In So Many Words" starts off the disc. I like this song a lot, and must have listened to it a dozen times already! "Land Of Dreams" follows and is equally impressive. Classic Midwest, with another catchy chorus. The beautiful remix of "Closer to the Edge," and the previously unreleased "Broken World" are worth the price of this disc alone.

The future of AOR? I won't go that far, but if you want good solid song writing, and musicianship, look no further than King of Hearts.

This CD came as a surprise! To be honest I had lost interest in Bon Jovi after "New Jersey". The band seemed to be struggling for direction after that great album, and their later work became uninteresting. "These Days" and Jon's recent solo album have done nothing to change my opinion.

These early recordings are another story. The music on this disc falls into two styles: Straight ahead AOR very similar to Tycoon or Franke & the Knockouts, and a Southside Johnny / Springsteen sound which of course I enjoy less. "Who Said It Would Last Forever" is a classic AOR track, and a great way to start the record. Nice! "Stringin' A Line" is a good song with an unforgettable chorus. "Don't Leave Me Tonight" could almost be a lost John Cougar song. "Hollywood Dreams" is a good uptempo rocker, and "Talkin'in Your Sleep" closes out the CD in fine form leaving me wanting more!

My only real complaint about this release is the lack of information on the inlay card. Surely they could have provided some notes about the songs. Who played Sax on "Open Your Heart"? Oh well, go out and buy the disc anyway. This is an important document and not to be missed!

Prism like Harlequin and Streetheart were some what of an enigma. Very popular in their native Western Canada where they often filled Hockey arenas in places like Moose Jaw and Red Deer. Eastern Canada remained unimpressed, and these bands played as support act or in a small club. For Prism, US audiences were an even tougher nut to crack. Despite tours with AC/DC, Kansas, and Meatloaf the group remained relatively unknown. This was unfortunate as Prism played pomp rock in the best tradition. Albums like "See Forever Eyes", "Armageddon", and "Small Change" are classics and deserve a place in every AOR collection.

This CD contains B-sides, and alternative tracks from the "Small Change" and "Beat Street" (another classic) sessions. These tracks featured ex Small Wonder vocalist Henry Small and a host of session players including Baird, Zito, and Pasqua. Filling out the disc are selections from the first three records that didn't fit on the "Best Of" package released earlier by Renaissance. Opening the disc is "Fine", an uptempo rocker with all the right ingredients. "Cadillac Club" is a rather uninteresting instrumental. "Don't Count Me Out" features Bryan Adams on credits, and guitar. "Rain" and "I Don't Want To Want You" offer alternative versions of those that appeared on the original releases. Both are beautiful songs, the latter being one of my favorite AOR ballads. "Breakin' Away" sounds like classic Toto, and good too! The westcoast flavored "Japanese Girl" was originally a B-side, and is another favorite. "State of the Heart" returns to that classic Prism sound with a catchy chorus and great keys.

This is an excellent collection by one of Canada's finest. We should applaud Renaissance for releasing this archive material. My question is, how many other AOR bands have material like this sitting in the vaults?

King Biscuit has done it again! This Streets recording from 1983, like Biscuit's GTR release is everything an AOR fan could want. Streets released two great albums that everyone should know by now. Featuring Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh, and ex City Boy guitarist Mike Slamer, Streets really deliver the goods on this CD. Its obvious Walsh was re-energized after leaving Kansas. I don't think he ever sounded better. "Move On," and "Cold Hearted Woman" demonstrate Mike Slamer's amazing playing abilities. It's obvious who was behind City Boy! Of course as with all live discs we get the obligatory drum solo, and with Streets some annoying Siren effects in between a few songs. Who cares? Streets were one of the best, and I wish I had been in the audience! Listening to this reminds me of why I got into AOR in the first place. Great songs, tight playing, and superb sound makes this a necessary purchase.