NEW REVIEWS • 0-9 • A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z • VARIOUS ARTISTS • GRADING

FAIR WARNING | 4 | (Frontiers Records, 2000)

Heart On The Run / Through The Fire / Break Free / Forever / Tell Me I'm Wrong / Dream / I Fight / Time Will Tell / Eyes Of Love / Find My Way / Night Falls / Wait / For The Young

German group Fair Warning seems to have continued along that already stamped path they started on some 8-9 years ago. Their fourth album apptly titled "4" sounds to me nothing different really than their self titled Rafe McKenna produced 1992 WEA debut.
Which means melodic hardrock made famous by other Germans acts i.e. Bonfire, Scorpions and Zeno. Although it means a lot of routine sounding numbers, "Eyes Of Love" and "Find My Way" are two bright shining examples, I can't dismiss their believe in what they deliver. Although I would love to hear them branch out more it sums up good.

Review by: Stefan
FAITH NATION | Ordinary People | (SongHaus Music, 1999)

Arms Around The World / Make It Simple / Don't Leave Me Now / How Can I / Love Is An Ocean / Ordinary People / On The Water / When The Love Goes Away / Hold On / Free
Recently reviewed in Raised On Radio #7 I feel I don't have much to add to the review other than the fact that it now has been picked up by Song Haus for a more proper release in the States.
This is Minneapolis based Faith Nation's second album and first with ex The brave vocalist James Salters. It shows a slightly more progressive side to the band, yet retaining the AOR-flavour in the songs. It is not far from what White Heart made themselves known for on their latterday records.
Tracks like "Make It Simple", the AOR-dash of "Don't Leave Me Now", and "Free" stand out as favourite cuts on the album which promises more of the future. Check it out!

Review by: Larry

FAKE I.D. | Dreaming Ezekiel | (MTM Music, 1997)

Above And Beyond The Call Of Love / Heartbreak Moon / Nothing Next To You / Tied To The Mast / Half A Heart / Even The Strong / Tears Don't Put Out The Fire / Hearts Break Like Promises / Go Easy / I'm A Fighter

I could keep it very short and simple, BUY! But let me give you some arguments why you should have a copy of this CD.
The song quality is very high, only a few minor disasters. All songs are signed Barlow/Minto. That is the same team that wrote/co-wrote the entire Alien-debut from 1988 (except for "Only One Woman").
What I really think makes this record so special is the vocal performance from Gene Miller. Who previous only seems to have been doing backing vocals, on records as well as in live situations behind a variety of artists.
His hi-pitched vocals sounds like a mix between Mark Free, Tony Harnell and Van Stephenson. Something in that direction anyway.
Fans of a softer/poppier sounding rock/AOR will fall in love with songs like: "Above And Beyond The Call Of Love", "I'm A Fighter", "Heartbreak Moon and "Nothing Next To You" where Gene's emotional vocal performance almost makes you cry.
Just buy it will ya!

Review by: Stefan

CHARLIE FARREN | Deja Blue (The Color Of Love) | (F-Man Music, 1999)

Deja Blue / Heart Thunder / Resurrected / Nobody's Somebody / She Knows / Impossible World / You And Me / Crazy Moon / Let's Fall / Three Cheers For Love / Apricot / Nobody Good Enough

Here is a "solo-release" from Charlie Farren (even though "Greasetown" is also basically a solo-release). This could be described as "Charlie Farren un-plugged" of some sort. The songs are low-key, a bit jazzier in their approach, stripped down to the bone and the delivery is, once again, nothing but spectacular! With songs like "Heart Thunder", "Nobody's Somebody" (co-written with Barry Godreau!), and the utterly brilliant and low-key "She Knows", I find it hard to believe that he has to remain in the background. Maybe he doesn't have the ambition to stand on top of the world, but he surely has the qualifications to. With all respect to other musicians and artists, but these days there are few who manage to deliver their material with so much passion and conviction as Charlie. Now please check him out!.

Review by: Larry

FARRENHEIT | Raise The Roof! | (F-Man Music, 1999)

Last Of The Long Time Lovers / Push / Shaking The Chains / Raise The Roof / Dirty Old Town / Sister Of Mercy / Walking Out Loud / Tougher Than Nails / Blind Man's Bluff / Animal Dance

The bulk of this release was reviewed back in RoR #6. This release has a few extra tracks and a different song order. First of all, this CD rocks. Big time! It is a bit harder then their debut. Ballsier and harder edged yet without losing any of the melodies the debut had. I won't dig too deep into mentioning songs as I already have done it once, but of the additional tracks, the title track is a straight ahead menacing track which simply kills. So, I have to add another half to the overall grading as this is BRILLIANT!

Review by: Larry

FARRENHEIT | Greasetown | (F-Man Music, 1999)

Greasetown / Stop Talking In Your Sleep / Love Street / B-Line / Who's Going To Carry You Home / Ride 'M Cowboy / In Fashion / Signal In The Noise / Seaside Love / Doesn't Love Come Here Anymore

The bulk of this release was once released under Charlie's own name on cassette only a few years ago. This is a bit more mellow than "RTR!", slightly jazzier, and a lot more alike the FARRENHEIT debut. It is a fabulous release this one, too. "Stop Talking In Your Sleep", "Signal In The Noise", "Love Street", well, the list can go on, are all magnificent showcases of Charlie Farren's songwriting skills.

Review by: Larry

MICHAEL FELHENDLER | By My Window | (Solna Records, 1998)

Dream About It / Hey You / I Threw A Stone / Heaven / The World's On Fire / By My Window / Love Is A Fire / Finally Friends / Maze Of Love / Like A Rainbow / You Made Me Believe In Love / Eternal Lovers

On a sunny day this is quite harmless westcoast influenced pop. The production, handled by former Alien vocalist Daniel Zangger Borch, is really sad. The drum machines really sucks. Unspectacular.

Review by: Stefan

FIORE | Today Till Tomorrow | (MTM Music, 1998)

Out Of Love / All Along / It Can Only Get Better / Anything / Don't Take It Too Fast / Today Till Tomorrow / Strong Enough / How Many Times / Corner Of My Mind / Whatever I Want / Someday Soon

Anyone remember Preview? They did a superb AOR-record on Geffen Records in 1983.
After a 15 year long absence vocalist Jon Fiore steps out of "backing vocals" obscurity with the new project Fiore.
Involved as much is Harem Scarem vocalist Harry Hess. He has written 6 songs, 3 with Harem Scarem guitarist Pete Lesperance (who also co-produces the album + plays guitar on 7 songs) and 2 with Helix members.
Add to that drums played by Darren Smith, also from Harem Scarem.
With also Jon's voice being a lot raspier today, something in the vein as Harry Hess, the Harem Scarem comparisons are unavoidable.
The songs are mostly built around a strong chorus part with great harmonies. And of course Lesperance's superb guitar playing.
The 1st half of the album is splendid with highlights as "Out Of Love" & "Anything".
Unfortunately the record looses some focus somewhere in the middle and never really recaptures.

Review by: Stefan

FIORE | Body Electric | (MTM Music, 1998)

Fool Youself / Good For Nothing / Everyday / The Only way We'll Know / Destiny / I Will Wait / Keep Me Satisfied / The Ladder / Come And Gone / All I Feel

Fiore's debut "Today Till Tomorrow", which was released January 1998, was/is a good record, but definitely nowhere near the qualities of this new release "Body Electric", officially released December 14th 1998.
As then Harem Scarem vocalist Harry Hess, with additional help from Scarem's guitarist Pete Lesperance also produces this new one. On "Today Till Tomorrow" Jon's voice never came to its right as it seemed to drown in Harry Hess' production, but that has been adjusted now and his voice comes out clear in the mix. The production has also been updated, and reminds a bit of recent Harem Scarem productions. More naked and a really alive feeling.
As a whole this record sound more Jon Fiore, which might have to do with that he this time has been involved in the songwriting. He has co-written 7 songs with Harry who are responsible for the other 3. Of course it still sounds much Harem Scarem, but I think they've been able to get out more of Jon's identity this time, which sound very refreshing.
I'm also really glad that they've put out a record in some kind of a "classic" format - 10 songs. In these CD times too often there are way too many songs on records. Sure it's nice to get a release with 13-14 songs, but those extra 3-4 songs often turns out as fillers only. "Body Electric" has no fillers what so ever. From opener "Fool Yourself" to closer "All I Feel" it's quality guitaroriented and melody- & chorus strong AOR/melodic rock.
This is great! It's really an excellent piece of work, buy it!

Review by: Stefan

FIREFLY | Where You Gonna Run | (Escape Music Ltd., 1998)

Where You Gonna Run / Holes In The Wall / Money / Calling Out Your Name / Scion / One Silent Voice / What Will Be There Tomorrow / Take Me Back / 120 P.S.I / Lydia / I Will, You Won't

I LOVE this stuff!!! Yes, I am lost in a moment of AOR-euphoria!!! This album caught me by surprise as I hadn't expected THIS major AOR-smash! But on the other hand with guys like Bob Gilles (from Innocent), Ricky Phillips (Babys, Bad English, etc) and Ron Wikso (Foreigner, The Storm) being part of the band/project, maybe I should have. The "star of the show" though, is vocalist John Pratt, whose voice is strong and he pulls a heavy load in this album!
With tracks like the radio friendly "Holes In The Wall", "Calling Out Your Name" and the brutally brilliant "Take Me Back", this is partly some of the finest AOR I've heard this year! Imagine a mix between early Winger, Von Groove, Hardline and Steelhouse Lane. Yet, they have a touch of Westcoast and even traces of a band like Saga can be found in there somewhere! Great production, too, which is polished, yet guitar oriented.
Definitely an album for every AOR-nutcase out there to buy, buy buy!!!!

Review by: Larry

FLESH & BLOOD | Blues For Daze | (Now & Then Records, 1997)

Feel The Power / Shake Ya Tail Feather / Bed Of Roses / Boogie Chile / Riverside / Jenny Doesn't Live Here Anymore / I Know Where You Been / Voodoo Moon / Blues For Daze (Mr. Blue) / Man Enough / Sweet Sister Rose / Judgement Day

Mark Mangold & the boys (Tyketto-vocalist Danny Vaughn, Asia/Savatage-guitarist Al Pitrelli, Chuck Bonfante & Mitch Destefano. See picture left) has got the blues. Even though I can be down and feel blue I certainly don't want to go any deeper with an album like this.
I really don't know why I had expected something in the style where these guys have made a name.
I also don't know exactly why Now & Then releases an album like this. I really don't think it will attract their AOR/melodic rock audience.
Whatever reason there might be I certainly hope it wasn't just because of the names and their earlier work.

Review by: Stefan

FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS | Below The Belt | (Escape Music Ltd., 1981/1998)

Come Back / Sweetheart / She's A Runner / You're My Girl / One For All / Tonight / Running Into The Night / Tell Me Why / Annie Goes To Hollywood / Don't Stop / (I've Had) The Time Of My Life

The debut from Franke & The Knockouts is another terrific AOR-classic re-issued for your pleasure. When listening to this, it's obvious how much Franke and his knockouts have influenced the AOR scene with their (three) classic efforts.
This was originally released in 1981 and contains tracks like "Sweetheart", "She's A Runner", "You're My Girl", and Running Into The Night", which all are top-notch AOR! Definitely a must in every collection!

Review by: Larry

FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS | Below The Belt | (Escape Music Ltd., 1982/1998)

Never Had It Better / Without You (No Another Lonely Night) / Just What I Want / Any Way That You Want Me / Morning Sun (Dream On) / Shakedown / Keep On Fighting / Have No Fear / Gina / Every Little Bit Helps

The second album from Franke &The Knockouts re-issued on Escape Music. This is not as overly fantastic album as its follower, but it's still a great CD. Kicking off with "Never Had It Better", it's obvious that this is a great record! After the initial bulldozer of a track Franke and his Knockouts takes another blow in the shape of "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)" and then the brilliant "Just What I Want".
There's also a bonus track called "Every Little Bit Helps" and despite not being bad it sounds a bit out of place, as it's obviously a newer song with a different approach than the CD in general. This is yet another album worthy every AOR collection. Two down, one to go...

Review by: Larry

FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS | Makin' The Point | (Escape Music Ltd., 1984/1998)

Outrageous / You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You) / Come Rain Or Shine / You're All That Really Matters / Carrie Why? / So Cool (Nobody's Fool) / One Good Reason / Blame It On My Heart / Can't Get Enough Of You / Hungry Eyes

8, 9, 10 and out! Phew! Escape has done it again. Another fabulous classic AOR gem re-issued on CD!!! This time it's in the shape of Franke Pr-vite's band aptly called Franke & The Knockouts! This is the 3rd album from Franke & The Knockouts. This is a must have CD. Make that a MUST! As simple as that.
The Knockouts consisted during this period of drummer Tico Torres (who later joined Bon Jovi), guitarist Bobby Messano (Starz, Joe Lynn Turner, etc), bassist Leigh Foxx and keyboardplayer Tommy Ayers with vocalist Franke Previte as the icing of the cake.
The opening, slightly Foreigner-esque track "Outrageous" sets the standard and is followed by the stupendous "You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You)". "Come Rain or Shine" and "All That Really Matters" are two of the slower, but nonetheless brilliant tracks on this magnificent album. The keyboard-dominated "Carrie Why?" is another fabulous highlight.
A bonustrack is also included in the shape of the original version of "Hungry Eyes" (sung by Eric Carmen on the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack). Being from 1984 this still sounds as fresh and timeless as ever before. Great remastering courtesy of Suha Gun.
Simply awesome!!! Buy, buy, buy...

Review by: Larry

FERGIE FREDERIKSEN | Equilibrium | (MTM Music, 1999)

Blaze Of Love / Mata Hari / Equilibrium / All For Love / Best I Can Be / Crazy / Tell Me Diana / Falling Into Place / Died In The Midst Of A Dream / Language Of Love

I remember how Toto's Steve Lukather explained in an interview that their next record would be this over produced thing that all so called critics would hate and the fans love. As it turned out they were only words. "Mindfields" never reached the level of expectation I had. Besides "Mad About You", "Melanie" and "One Road" I found it surprisingly uninteresting.
At them same time MTM Music released former Toto vocalist Fergie Frederiksen's debut solo album "Equilibrium". He probably had a tighter budget and still outdoes Toto almost making them look like a bunch of wannabe's. The quality of the material on Fergie's debut is unbelievable and that he can sing is no secret.
I know I'm not the only one who was a bit disappointed with the album "Frederiksen/Phillips" from Fergie and former Bad English bassman Ricky Phillips back in 1995 (Empire Records), but this time around it's a whole different story. Where the previous release were all over the place with AOR, rock, R'n'B etc. Fergie has this time almost exclusively concentrated on more Westcoast tinged material, with some ounces of AOR thrown in there.
As with the record with Ricky Phillips there are a lot of famous "names" contributing with their talents, songwritng as well as playing. Some people providing songs are Jim Peterik, Ricky Phillips, Martin Page, Bruce Gowdy, Steve Kipner, Bobby Caldwell and Richard Page. Main players are Bruce Gowdy, Ricky Phillips and Ron Wikso. But also some tremendous contributions from guys like Time Pierce, Jason Scheff, Guy Allison and Neal Schon. Being the people they are there's a lot to live up to and I think there's no question about their greatness.
The remake of Starship's "Blaze Of Love" starts up the album in its most guitar oriented moment. Fergie seems to bet better than ever. He delivers with such energy and intensity. Ass a whole I think I prefer Starship's big budget production. "Mata Hari" and "Equilibrium" moves into more Westcoastish territories but still with an AORish feel. "All For Love" and "Best I Can Be" are pure heaven. Soft, tender tracks with harmonies so smoothly delivered (by Kelly Hansen, Ricky Phillips, Jason Scheff and Jeff Scott Soto) you start wondering if it's really true.
Westcoast heaven continues with "Crazy" and "Tell Me Diana". Next track up "Falling Into Place" is written by Richard Page (Pages, Mr Mister). As always almost with Page the songs seems to have a somewhat different twist. Very stripped back with a slide guitar making the chorus unforgettable.
"Died In The Midst Of A Dream" moves back to the mood of "All For Love" and "Best I Can Be". A soft sound but still enough energy to keep it interesting and beyond!
"The Truth Is Good Enough" (written by Peterik/Frederiksen) is another highlight. A beautiful ballad in the vein of some of the ballads Peterik did with Survivor in the mid-eighties. "Language Of Love" rounds of the album leaving me wanting more. Wanting more of that Westcoast sound. Wanting more of Fergie Frederiksen and his mates.
Toto, is it something you eat?

Review by: Stefan