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DAVID CARL BAND | Can't Slow Down | (MTM Music, 1998)

Innocent Kiss / For Jackie / Trapped / Arms Of Love / Love Is Like Heaven / Crazy Love / Can't Slow Down / Dreamin' / Insatiable / Make Love Shine / Hungry Woman / Cost Of High Livin'

This album, filled with a blend of mainstream FM-rock and handclap AOR/rock'n'roll, is just too predictable.
In some songs, like "Trapped" and "Jackie", I hum along and think pretty cool, but most of the time it's like sigh, when is something interesting going to happen?
Out of the 12 songs 7 has been co-written with former Survivor keyboardist Jim Peterik. Looking into it Jim hasn't really been involved in any worthwhile stuff since the last Survivor record "Too Hot To Sleep", which was out in 1988.
His style is relentlessly dated; somebody ought to tell him...
Performances are otherwise good, but as said, songwise there's nothing even close to exceptional.

Review by: Stefan

BOB CATLEY | The Tower | Frontiers Records, 1998)

Dreams / Scream / Far Away / Deep Winter / Fire & Ice / Madrigal / Steel / The Tower / Fear Of The Dark / Epilogue

The first solo-release from one of the UK's finest vocalists ever, Magnum's Bob Catley, should have been more interesting than it turned out to be.
It has nothing to do with his vocal performance really. He sounds as good as ever, if anything a bit uninspired. That's maybe because the material he's been given is quite faceless and pale.
The man behind the songs and production is Ten's Gary Hughes. Add to that the other guys from Ten as the backing band and you probably guess that it sounds a lot like Ten.
As usual Gary manages to rip-off some well-known song. This time around it's Bon Jovi's "Runaway" in the opening track "Dreams".

Review by: Stefan

CHANGE OF HEART | Change Of Heart | (Escape Music Ltd., 1998)

Sweat It Out / The Fire Is Gone / A Place In Your Heart / When It's Gone / Someone Else / Always Be The One / Until The End Of Time / Don't Walk Away / All I Need / Stranger / Somebody To Love

I have had the chance to live with this album for a while as I heard some rough demos from it earlier this year. Already back then I “knew” this was going to be something special. Imagine a mix of Heartland / Honeymoon Suite / early Dare (especially as vocalist Alan Clark sounds like Darren Wharton at times) / Def Leppard / FM and you’re almost there!
Yes, this is that good! Check out tracks like “Sweat It Out”, ”The Fire Is Gone” or the keyboard-dominated “Don’t Walk Away” for proof. Not very inventive album, but it sparkles with talent and the production really great courtesy of Morris/Ousey of Heartland-fame. Shows that you can give an album a proper production despite a tight budget. One of the best debuts from a British band heard in ages!

Review by: Larry

CHAOTIC PAST | YER-IN | (Ace Of Heart Records, 2000)

Tube / Summer Street / Hector / Room 28 / They Saved The Face / Stability Song / Comadome / Ole Brown Door / Restless Whole / Empty House / Cartridge / Bondage Between the Mountains

Chaotic Past are based out of New York City and have a very unique sound/style. The band members are: Chris Neumann - Bass & Vocals, Sam McCall - Guitar & Ross Kantor - Drums.

Chris Neumann's voice reminds me of a cross between Eric Clapton and Chris Cornell which really makes the sound of Chaotic Past so original. The music has many different styles to it, heavy modern rock (almost grunge at times), seventies hard rock (reminding me of early KISS) and than they'll throw in a big blues number when you least expect it.

"Tube" starts things off on the right foot, with a punchy, uptempo rocker. "Summer Street" starts slower and here's where I can definitely hear some Clapton influences. "Hector" is heavier and mixes some influences of the seventies hard rock scene with a nineties edge. "Room 28" really stands out almost reminding me of Silverchair at the beginning of the song (musically, not vocally - of course.) "They Saved The Face" has a cool groove to it, while "Stability Song" goes back to some more blues influences - but still managing to be upbeat. "Comadome" is an acoustic based number - good track! "Ole Brown Door" and "Restless Whole" I find are quite average and tend to skip on these two tracks. "Empty House" sounds very Kenny Wayne Sheppard(ish), while "Cartridge" isn't anything special. The disc ends with a song that falls short of seven minutes and is too long for my taste.

Overall this cd is quite consistant - delivering some quality hard rock. It's their first full length album and a decent effort. You can download some free MP3's at their website - www.chaoticpast.com. If you are into the bands/artists mentioned above, check this band out. They offer a lot of sounds from their new album on their site as well.

Review by: Rob

CHAPS | Chaps | (Riverside Records, 1998)

World Keep On Turning / Flyin' High / Hold On To Now / Love's The Answer / Wide Open Skies / She's My Little Girl / See You In My Dreams / No Matter What / Mary Anne / Part Time / Bedroom Eyes / On The Highway Of Love / It's So Fanny

Something in the style as Michael Felhendler, but with the exception of a much better production.
The songs are on the other hand perhaps more laidback generally than on Felhendler's record, which tends to get me too sleepy.

Review by: Stefan

CHAPTER 23 | Flying In The Face Of Convential Wisdom | (Independent release, 1999)

Big Top / Shake Down / Come What May / Mr.C / Cold Steel & Neon / Shoot The Moon / Catch 22 / Can't Stand The Weather

This is Canadian band Chapter 23, is a new acquaintance to me. Playing in the same vein as fellow natives Lightspeed, Everest, Cinema Face and other, i.e melodic rock with a slightly progressive hint.
The production is a bit thin, but the songs are well structured with opener ”Big Top” standing out as the highlight. Other than that no real surprises but it’s always nice to hear from new bands like these.
Give them a year or two and maybe they will record something greater further on as they certainly don’t lack talent.

Review by: Larry

JAMES CHRISTIAN | Rude Awakening | (Frontiers Records, 1999)

Don't Start Me Up / Pleasure And Pain / Brighter Day / Where Does Love Go When It's Gone / The Warden / Katie / Best Girl / Labour Of Love / Mother Night / Cold Day In Hell / Love Should've Brought You Home / Candle In The Window* / Woman Enough* / After All* / Love Has No Mercy* / Demons Down (original demo)* / Acoustic Medley (Live at the gods '95)* (*=Bonustracks)

Here's yet another attempt in trying to rip off the already sorely afflicted AOR-crowd. But let me come back to that.
This solo album from former House Of Lords vocalist James Christian were originally released back in 1994. This "Special 5th Anniversary Release" includes 6 bonus tracks. The hoopla around it when it came back then I honestly never understood. A good album I thought nothing more. Can't say I feel any different for it now.
Despite fantastic songwriters like Mark Baker (who gets credited on almost all songs), Mike Slamer, Bob Marlette, Freddy Curchi, Steve DeMarchi, Bruce Gowdy and Judithe Randall the album never really takes off besides a few exceptions. Opener "Don't Start Me Up" and "Best Girl" is 2 strong songs driven by a melodic guitar line with all the big backing vocals.
Other rockers like "The Warden" and "Cold Day In Hell", which sounds like "Down, Down, Down" (a song on House Of Lords' "Demons Down" album) part II, are also quite good. But they are missing something, which I can't quite put my finger on.
The ballads are quite a few and most leaves a lot more to wish. "Brighter Day" and "Love Should've Brought You Home" stands out.
What about that attempt in trying to rip off the AOR-crowd? Because what people will buy this one? Probably 90% that already owns the original release? You have to ask yourself one question; what will I get? The answer is simple; nothing but crap. Yes it may sound hard but it is so true. None of the bonus tracks offers anything of value. Perhaps for the hardcore James Christian fans. Of course if you don't have it and would want it then you should get this one, but that's too obvious.
I would say 3.5 in its original format, but with all the lousy additions it drops 0.5.

Review by: Stefan

STEPHEN CHRISTIAN | Self-Titled | (Epilogue Entertainment, 1998)

Got To Find A Way / Dreaming / Got To Choose / Slave To The Rhythm / All I'll Ever Be (Faded Memory) / Forgiveness-Let Go Of Yesterday / No Greater Price / Won't Be Your Fool / Memories / Heart's Doin' Time / Rebound / In My Life

A debut album that really doesn't make my feelings jump in any direction.
He's delivering pretty average mainstream pop/rock, with rather big portion of acoustic guitars.
Vocally Stephen's also a bit average. I think he sound a bit uncertain of what he wants in that field. The production is also a bit thin, but that is probably because of a quite limited budget.
All in all just a record among others.

Review by: Stefan

CONCERTO MOON | Rain Forest | (Inside Out/SPV, 2000)

Prologue (Instrumental) / Time to Die / Lonely Last Journey / Fight to the Death / Half Way to the Sun / Rain Forest (Instrumental) / Unstill Night / Live on the Memory / Victim of Desire / Picture of an Old Man / Break It Down / Time to Die (Extended Version) / King of the Judas / Waltz For Masquerade (Instrumental)

Do you like neo-classical metal? Well if so, Concerto Moon would be a band to check out. These guys are from Japan and this is their third release (I believe the first release on this label).
If you are into bands/artists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Stump, Dio and even Deep Purple this may appeal to you. For myself, I've never been able to get into this style of music and Concerto Moon are no exception to the rule. I must say every member in the band do a very good job - especially the outstanding guitar work by Nosifumi Shima.
This cd also includes three bonus tracks at the end of the disc, which includes an extended version of "Time to Die" (the best track on the cd).

Review by: Rob

COTY RIVERS BAND | 180 Degrees | (Hot Rod Records, 2000)

Feelin' OK Today / All the Best / Gone / Tomorrow Turned / Resting on Sunday / Time-n-Season / Half the World Away / 7 Days

Coty Rivers is a singer/songwriter from Raleigh, NC. The band members consist of: Coty Rivers (Vocals & Guitars), Alan Towers (Keys) and Brian Smith (Drums). Upon first listen it is evident that they have put together a very impressive collection of acoustic-based rock songs.

"Feelin' OK Today" is an upbeat number and a strong opener. You can't help but notice that vocally, Coty Rivers bares a staggering resemblance to Bret Michaels of Poison, but that's where the comparison stops. The Coty Rivers Band is more focused on the songs and every track sure gets your attention with its strong hooks and enormous harmony vocals "All the Best" and "Gone" slow things down with "Gone" encompassing a harmonica which gives the song more of a bluesy feel. The next track "Tomorrow Turned" is reminiscent of a Simon & Garfunkel acoustic number. "Resting on Sunday" picks up the pace a bit and they maintain the cheerful sound with "Time-n-Season." If I were to pick a favourite ballad it would have to be "Half the World Away," lyrically this song is nothing short of spectacular and very moody. The album ends the way it began with a rocker (that has an almost country feel to it) that has a chorus you are guaranteed to be singing along with after your first listen!

It's really difficult to pick out favourite tracks on this release because every song is so well crafted and the cd flows with ease. The only complaint I can think of is the cd has only eight tracks, when something is this good a few extra tracks couldn't hurt - but that's just me being greedy. I suggest fans of Bret Michaels style vocalists or anyone who enjoys strong songs that are extremely melodic should not miss out on this new talent! You can hear tracks from the cd at: www.mp3.com/cotyriversband - you won't be disappointed!
Coty Rivers Band is looking for a record deal and I can't see them being an independent band for much longer. If you want to e-mail Coty Rivers, you can do so at: CotyRivers@aol.com

Review by: Rob

PHIL CRISTIAN | No Prisoner | (Empire Records, 1988/97)

Just Another Broken Heart / Hey Andrea / Prisoner / Million Miles Away / Nothing Good In Goodbye / Facing The Fire / Waiting 4 U / Pain For The Pleasure / Living In I Bad World / Mary, Mary / Mama Don't Cry / China's Crying / Nina'a Song

This album was originally out 1988, but never took off. It has been quite hard to find, so if you haven't got it, it's an album you should have and even if you do have it you could consider buying the re-issue as it also includes 4 bonustracks. "China's Crying" is perhaps the best bonustrack. The album rounds off with the instrumental "Nina's Song".
I already liked this album in its original format songs like; "Hey Andrea", "Prisoner", "Facing The Fire" and "Waiting 4 U" are all superb, maybe a little poppier sound, but never the less great eighties AOR!
It would be really foolish not to buy this one when you have been given a second chance.

Review by: Stefan

CROWN OF THORNS | Lost Cathedral | (Frontiers Records, 1998)

Lost Cathederal / Live And Die / Motorcycle Loretta / Lyin' / Free Me / Greed Of Love / Cold Blooded Bitch / End Of The Road / Although We're Fools / Waisted Prime / Hell Of A Night / If You Need Me

Here is an album I didn't believe I would be that hot about when I first heard about it. Sure, the debut album from Crown Of Thorns, was good. Their last album though sounded tired and quite frankly, it lacked songs! But I am glad to admit that my fear was unjustified, as this CD shows regained strentgh, especially in the songwriting department.
With tracks like "Live And Die", "End Of The Road" and the "All The Young Dudes"-pastiche in "Although We're Fools" they show that they're definitely back on track! But, every rose has its thorn (nah, that one was far-fetched...), and to be critical I would have enjoyed a more polished production, it's a bit too raw for my taste.
But I guess that's up for you to decide. It's a wonderful collection of songs though, and in the long run that's what really matters!

Review by: Larry