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AMANDA MARSHALL | Tuesday's Child | (Epic / Sony Music, 1999)

Believe In You / Love Lift Me / Why Don't You Love Me? / Too Little, Too Late / If I Didn't Have You / Ride / Right Here All Along / Wishful Thinking / Shades Of Grey / Give Up Giving In / Best Of Me / Never Said Goodbye / Out Of Bounds

She may not be tall, but she has a big voice this 26 year old Canadian. Her self-titled debut was released in October 1995 and with the single "Let It Rain" it took off big time and sales reached impressive 2 million copies. Apparently her soft acoustic driven pop/rock had something people were looking for.
Not too experienced with songwriting back then she had several contributions from producer of the record David Tyson, Dean McTaggart (The Arrows), Marc Jordan, Kim Bullard and Christopher Ward. Amanda did write "Sitting On Top Of The World" herself plus she co-wrote "Let's Get Lost" and the magnificent mid paced "Dark Horse". That also well known musicians like Kenny Aronoff (drums), Leland Sklar (bass) and Tim Pierce (guitars) contributed with their talents didn't hurt either.
How she would be able to follow up such splendid debut I was curious to find out. "Believe In You" opens the record in the same vein as "Let It Rain" did on the predecessor. Acoustic with a chorus that showcases her powerful vocal capacity. This track also shows Amanda's growth as a songwriter. On this record she's been involved in 12 of the 13 tracks, most of them are collaborations with Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame. "Love Lift Me" is more up-tempo. A wonderful melodic "makes you want to sing along" chorus with great harmonies from Bazilian. "Why Don't You Love Me?" (by Marshall/Bazilian and Desmond Child) and "Too Little, Too Late" are two other gems in the same field.
5th track "If I Didn't Have You" has got "it". It's sentimental and it totally swept my feet off the floor. This could be a smash hit. "Ride is yet another Marshall/Bazilian/Child composition in the acoustic driven pop tradition. "Right Here All Along" (written by Amanda and veteran Carole King) and "Never said Goodbye" are two smooth soothing songs with a jazzy feel. Great!
It's only in "Shades Of Grey" and "Best Of Me" where she tries to capture a rawer feel that I think it's a dull record, otherwise this is joyful journey.
This one has to be heard. Go the her official site and listen to clips off of both her records at www.amandamarshall.com.

Review by: Stefan
MARVELOUS 3 | Ready Sex Go | (Elektra Entertainment, 2000)

Little Head / Grant Park / Get Over / Sugarbuzz / Supernatural Blonde / Radio Tokyo / Cold As Hell / Beautiful / I'm Losing You / This Time / Better Off Alone / I Cold Change / Cigarette Lighter Love Song / Promotional Track
They had a minor hit with their last album "Hey! Album" and the infectious single "Freak Of The Week" and now they are here to follow up with "Ready Sex Go". It has been praised by some and it is understandable as Marvelous 3 offers guitardriven, hookladen, powerful pop/rock.
Compared with similar recent releases i.e. Mars Electric and Neve, which by all means are good albums, Marvelous 3 sounds more exciting. But as many releases starts sounding samey when a genre becomes what everybody wants, Marvelous 3's "Ready Sex Go" also suffers from that phenomena.
Still, I have to say that vocalist/guitarist/songwriter/producer Butch Walker have done some great songwriting on this album, perhaps better than the "Hey! Album".
Get this in favour of any poor produced AOR release any day!

Review by: Stefan

RICHARD MARX | Greatest Hits | (Capitol Records, Inc., 1997)

Don't Mean Nothing / Endless Summer Nights / Now And Forever / Should've Known Better / Angelia / Hold On To The Nights / Angel's Lullaby / Take This Heart / Satisfied / Until I Find You Again / Hazard / The Way She Loves Me / Keep Coming Back / Children Of The Night / Touch Of Heaven / Right Here Waiting

A Laughing stock or a genius? Maybe something in between?
Fact is though, that Marx in his best moments has created classic cuts. "Angelia" (Richard says in the booklet: "One of my favorites. I got the name, which has been constantly mispronounced, from a flight attendant on a flight to Texas. The extent of our relationship was her serving me a ginger ale, but what a great name. I was heavy into Def Leppard's "Hysteria" CD at the time, hence the guitar and drum sounds here. Mutt Lange I'm not, but I'm proud of this one. David Cole's mix is outstanding."), "Should've Known Better" and "Take This Heart" are all nothing but pure radio fodder!! All of course featured here.
Other big hits featured are "Endless Summer Nights", "Hazard", "Hold On To The Nights", "Now And Forever" and "Right Here Waiting".
On the subject of songs that would have been featured then? Well, personally I think at least 3 killer tunes has been left out: "Too Late To Say Goodbye", "Big Boy Now" and "One More Try".
Even if it's a pretty good package of hits it's probably not needed in your collection as nothing new or unreleased stuff are offered.

Review by: Stefan

MELODICA | Melodica | (Frontiers Records, 2000)

It's Not Enough / Never Let You Go / Come Runnin' / Best Friend / Hardest Part Of Love / Forget About You / Playing With Fire / Long Way From Home / Sleeping With The Enemy / Take Me Away / A Long Time Ago

This recording has been quite the object for debate lately. Melodica features former Danger Danger/Bone Machine vocalist Ted Poley, who I always thought was a decent singer. Not at all spectacular but he could deliver the stuff.
Just as with Danger Danger and Bone Machine this is a slice of melodic rock/AOR even if not as classy as either of his previous bands.
Although the songs might not be top notch and the productions certainly isn't either there's another thing making this one of the worst records ever heard. It is the too much out of tunes vocal deliverance from Ted Poley that actually is horrible. So horrible I rather forget he ever made this one CD.
Dear fans, if any magazine/webzine/fanzine claims this is a good performance coming from Mr. Poley do NOT pay any attention! They are probably just too busy kissing ass.

Review by: Stefan
MELODICA | Lovemetal | (Frontiers Records, 2001)

Summer Nights / Head Over Heels / Lovemetal / Broken Promises / I'll Never Break Your Heart / Out Of My Mind / Shake / Crazy / Keep On Runnin' / What Number Are You? / Gotta Save Yourself (Instrumental)

If anyone read my review of the debut "Long Way From Home" from Melodica, with former Danger Danger/Bone Machine vocalist Ted Poley and guitarist Gerhard Pichler, you would know the level of my expectation on this second album named "Lovemetal". If there ever were any.
"Lovemetal" is better, not shockingly though, in every department compared with its predecessor. Still I think Ted Poley sounds a bit off here and there, thankfully not as horrible as it was on "Long Way From Home". Gerhard Pichler does not either convince in delivering the goods when the sound is soft radio friendly rock. He isn't any Michael Thompson nor is he a Michael Landau or Tim Pierce. Maybe that's would this album could've used? Maybe Ted's singing sounds off because the semi metal deliverance from Pichler?
Ted and Gerhard have penned a minor stack of, if not original, but decent AOR songs. "Summer Nights", "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "Keep On Runnin'" reveals that Ted Poley still has something to contribute.
Applause and hats off to him for trying to make one of few pure AOR records in 2001. The heart seems to be in the right place, now Ted "only" needs to find some guitarplayer/songwriting partner who can bring out the better part of him. A guitar player that doesn't have metal ringing in his ears.
To top it off, the songs aren't original but better than the overall performance.

Review by: Stefan

DAVE MENDENHALL | The Lost Years | (Songhaus Music, 1998)

On The Air Tonight / What Happened To Me / It's All Over Now / All Along The Watchtower / One More Night / Turn Your Heart Around (Lost Version) / When A Man Loves A Woman / Turn Of A Card / Serenity / King Tone Blues / I Never Wanted / Turn Your Heart Around / Fool's Paradise / Lookin' For More

Sounding a bit harsh and ironic maybe this album should've stayed lost. A not too wild guess is that this album compiles material from a wide spawn of years. The quality differs all the way from songs to production. Not to mention the variety and style of the material that makes the record a bit unfocused and my overall opinion very shattered. Rock'n'roll moments as "Fool's Paradise" and blues tones as in "King Tone Blues" aren't exactly of my liking. The more rock/AOR tinged sounds in "What Happened To Me", "It's All Over Now" and "Turn Your Heart Around" speaks more to me. Not to mention opener "On The Air Tonight" which is simply a beautiful mid tempo AOR tune.

Review by: Stefan

METROPOLIS | The Power Of The Night | (MTM Music, 1999)

Wild And Blue / The Darkest Side Of The Night / Never Look Back / Walk Through The Fire / Restless Moon / A Million Miles Away / Love And Desire / Whatever It Is / The Eyes Of Love / The Best Is Good Enough / Running After A Dream / The Power Of The Night

A quite stunning CD from Stan Meissner and Peter Fredette. Not very original in its approach perhaps, but darned good all the way through! If AOR is your game, you should definitely play this one! Songs like "The Darkest Side Of The Night", "Never Look Back", "The Best Is Good Enough", and "Running After A Dream", are all top-notch AOR! The title track is a moody ballad, which is great, and perhaps the best song, "Restless Moon", is sheerly brilliant!
Buy buy buy!

Review by: Larry

MILLENIUM | Angelfire | (Frontiers Records, 1999)

Nations / Shaman / Beyond The Pain / Until The End Of Time / Angelfire / Heaven Sent / Julia / Bound For Glory / Run / Waiting For Godot / Remember / Saving Grace / Color Of Night / Hide Behind My Face / Dawn

When I listen to this release I would have never guessed that Millenium are an American band. Their style is very European and will most likely appeal to fans of: Ten, UFO and Eyewitness (two Eyewitness members are in this band). The thing that turns me off most about this band is the singer. Quite a number of the songs are well written and have some catchy melody lines happening. Ralph Santolla is an incredible guitarist whose style reminds me very much of Peter Lesperance of Harem Scarem (the way Pete played on the "Mood Swings" release).

The first six songs are fairly heavy and seem to sound the same, it isn't till the ballad "Julia" starts that I start to take notice of how much potential these guys really have. "Bound For Glory" is a decent rocker and "Remember" is a cool one minute and twelve second Acappella. The track that I really like is "Saving Grace" this is where that Harem Scarem comparison comes in - awesome song! "Color of Night" is also a catchy rocker with some heavy riffs. "Hide Behind My Face" is a little different sounding as well and my second favourite song on the disc with a fantastic sounding guitar solo. The cd ends with an instrumental and a short bonus track to follow.

I know a lot of people really enjoy this cd and it's fair to say that I'm not a fan of European style rock - so I'm probably not the right person to review this. Keep in mind that if you like the bands I mentioned in my review, you probably will like this disc. The songs are fairly strong, but sound too much alike in my opinion. If you like Gary Hughes (TEN) style vocalists you will probably like Todd Plant's voice as well.

Review by: Rob
MILLENIUM | Hour Glass | (Frontiers Records, 2000)

Power to Love / Wheels Are Turning / Hourglass / No More Miracles / Superstar / Rocket Ride / I Will Follow / I Still Believe / Masquerade / Chasing Time
Here's the third release from hard rockers Millenium. This cd shows them taking on a slightly different sound, which has much to do with their new vocalist Jorn Lande. I wasn't really impressed with their last cd "Angelfire" - but that had a lot to do with me not liking their last vocalists style. I must say Jorn Lande suits my tastes much more. Vocally he reminds me a lot of David Coverdale and that can only be a good thing. Ralph Santolla does some incredible guitar solos (as usual) and the rest of the band are as tight as ever.
"Power to Love" is a superb high energy arena rocker. "Wheels Are Turning" is equally as enjoyable and keeps up the energy of the first track. "Hourglass" sounds VERY much like Whitesnake and is a definite highlight on the album. "No More Miracles" is a piano ballad that will appeal to the AOR fans. Other highlights include: the bluesy "I Will Follow," and the closing track "Chasing Time" which has that strong Whitesnake vibe again.
I'd have to say this cd is a huge improvement from their last one and I look forward to hearing more from this line up. If you liked their other cd's - you'll be sure to love this one. If you haven't ever heard Millenium before, I'd check out this cd first because it is their best.

Review by: Rob

GARY MOORE | A Different Beat | (Castle Music Ltd., 1999)

Go On Home / Lost In Your Love / Worry No More / Fire / Surrender / Houseful of Blues / Bring My Baby Back / Can't Help Myself / Fatboy / We Want Love / Can't Help Myself (E-Z Rollers Remix)

Gary Moore is responsible for one of my favorite blues albums of all time entitled "Still Got the Blues." Well, I haven't heard any of his work since that release. I can tell you if you are looking for a "Still Got the Blues Part II" it isn't happening with this release. This is a very "experimental" album to say the least! Gary uses a variety of dance drum beats and sampling. Most fans won't like much of this cd. I found some of the tracks pretty good like the opener "Go On Home", the Kip Winger(ish) number "Surrender", the awesome Jimi Hendrix cover of "Fire" and the dance number "Fatboy" that sounds more like something FAT BOY SLIM would do! I'd say six of the twelve songs are quite good - but the rest I can do without!

Review by: Rob

MICHAEL MORALES | That's The Way | (MTM Music, 1999)

Better Way / Change The World / Where Does Love Live? / That's The Way / Blood / Let You In / What Kind Of Fool / Let You In / Maria / I Remind Me Of You / Driving Back To Your Heart / No Way Out

Michael Morales' two previous releases ("S/T", 1989, and "Thump!", 1991), contained radio-friendly, straight-ahead rock alá Rick Springfield. Now MTM has persuaded Michael to release a third album which obviously was highly anticipated among AOR fans worldwide.

Better Way - Stefan Edström: "The opener starts off in some kind of a funky pace to blossom into a melodic mood for the chorus, which isn't that hard to sing along to." Larry Schörling: "Agreed! An ok opener, with a funky beat and quite addictive chorus. Good!

Change The World - LS: "Good song. MOR kinda mould. Not very original, but still a great sing-along song." SE: "A more mainstream song that has a clear guitar sound, which gives Morales' voice a chance to come out really well."

Where Does Love Live? - SE: "Another song in the same vein, but it is more up-tempo. Not bad at all if you'd ask me." LS: "Phew! I love this stuff! Same here, not very original, but it is a driving tune with a chorus crammed with hooks hard to resist! A trademark Morales song!"

That's The Way - LS: "...pour some sugar on me...", nah, Def Leppard should sue him! What a rip-off!" SE: "In the area of ripping off someone else this has got to be one of the worst examples ever, for cryin' out loud! The band is Def Leppard and the song has got to be "Pour Some Sugar On Me". Needless to say he fails massive in this attempt." LS: "Absolutely!"

Blood - SE: "Starts off with some patented "Mutt" Lange whoas that I believe might upset some people because it could have been done too many times, but personally I can't get enough. Otherwise this is a definitive high light of the album that, at times, sounds like Def Leppard's "Animal". Whoa, whoa!" LS: "Again, Morales borrows more than he probably should (if he wants to keep his money to himself), but it is indeed a VERY addictive, Mutt Lange-ish chorus, love it or loathe it, it is still hard to resist.Whoa, whoa!"

Let You In - LS: "Sounds like yet another track Leppard could have written, or actually, it sounds like Bryan Adams' "Thought I Died..." Anyhow, it has "Mutt" Lange written all over it!" SE: "This song just adds more chorus strong radio rock to this album. Once again "Mutt" Lange inspired big backing vocals in a song with pure AOR class!"

What Kind Of Fool - SE: "Approved, but honestly not one of the strongest songs on this record - or in his career for that matter." LS: "Nah..this track doesn't move me at all. Sloppy ballad that is plainly weak."

No Tomorrow - LS: "Well, what do you say?" SE: "How about: A rocking tune, but oh so boring and stereotype. The opening line "I'm the king of rock and roll," says a lot doesn't it? LS: "You just hit the nail on its head!"

Maria - SE: "A soft guitar intro that proceeds into a well tried AOR-riff that brings us into the song without any bumps along the road. A mid-tempo rocker with a chorus easy to remember. LS: "Hmmm...my first thought was "This is something that Stefan would like" and viola: Stefan loves it! And so do I!"

I Remind Me Of You - LS: "Radio-friendly, safe, harmless AOR-fodder. You either love it or hate it. Sounds like a B-side from Morales. Good, but nothing else." SE: "Why not deliver radio rockers while you're good at it? Michael seems to have had that device when doing this record. In the same vein as several of the previous tracks on this album and this one's okay too, but nothing magic really."

Driving Back To Your Heart - SE: "Sure, there are many songs in a mid-tempo:ish format on this disc and this is yet another one. Personally I love it! And when they are of a calibre like this I give Morales standing ovations! A crisp and clear sound that gives all instruments a chance to really breathe." LS: "Oh my...Following the same formula as ever before, but this one is really tasty. Morales at his best, but a bit uninspired chorus."

No Way Out - LS: "The best track on the album? Probably! Sheer and pure FM-rock! Wonderful! Amazing! Better keep my mouth shot and leave out some of the available superlatives!" SE: "What a tremendous way to close the album! More pure radio rock in medium tempo. This time a fat keyboard makes the foundation throughout song that has one of this year's choruses!?" LS: "It's amazingly brilliant, that's for sure!"

Review by: Larry & Stefan

MOTHERLAND | Better Than This | (MDM Records, 2000)

Kingmaker / Help You With Your Life / Be All and the End All / Evergreen / Mr. Sunshine / Lay Me Down / You Made Me / She Wrote A Letter / Stand / Under Her Wing (Remix)

Motherland are a new band from Swansea, Wales and here we are presented with their debut cd "Better Than This." The overall sound of Motherland is acoustic based with strong vocal harmonies. This band is really focused on strong hook-laden, soulful tracks that are primed for modern rock radio in North America.
They list bands such as: Tonic, Matchbox Twenty and the Counting Crows as just a few of their influences. I can hear all those influences come through in their music - but they do it in a very subtle and classy way without ripping off any of the aforementioned bands. The band members are: Andrew R. Davies (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Andy Given (Bass, Keyboards), John Honour (Drums, Backing Vocals). Singer/Songwriter Andrew R. Davies is blessed with one incredible voice and reminds me of Jamie Walters at times (but I prefer Andrew's vocal style more).
Some highlights on the album are the opener "Kingmaker" which would be a hit if given half the chance of modern rock radio, "Mr. Sunshine" which is a song that Tonic would have been proud to have written and "Be All and the End All" which could be used on a Dawson's Creek soundtrack - excellent stuff!
There really isn't one weak song on the disc. The production is good, the songs are very strong and they have a good singer to boot. I think these guys have a very bright future ahead of them and it wouldn't surprise me if they got picked up by a major label someday soon.
If you want to look more into Motherland visit their website at www.motherlandonline.com.

Review by: Rob

MR. BIG | Get Over It | (Atlantic Recording Corp., 1999)

Electrified / Static / Hiding Place / Superfantastic / A Rose Alone / Hole in the Sun / How Does It Feel / Try to do Without it / Dancin' With My Devils / Mr. Never in a Million Years / My New Religion

Mr. Big have been around for over ten years now and this is the first line-up change they have had in the band. Paul Gilbert (former guitarist) decided to skip out on this release and concentrate on his solo career. So, instead of calling it quits, they recruited the guitar talents of Richie Kotzen (one time Poison guitarist). Richie's guitar style has always been heavily blues influenced and has given this band a little bit of a different sound. I think Richie compliments the band quite nicely, not only is he an incredible guitarist, he has a great voice as well.

From the first few notes of "Electrified" you can hear the guitar tone is very different, but the overall song rocks and is very well written. I can definitely see this song being on the "Lean Into It" release and it's no surprise this is the first single from this release. "Static" is a very intense blues-tinged number which has Eric Martin and Richie Kotzen sharing the lead vocals! Very strong chorus an overall incredible song! "Hiding Place" is an upbeat track with some stellar guitar playing. I like Paul Gilbert, but Richie's guitar playing has so much more personality to it. "Superfantastic" is the first acoustic ballad and if you like: "Going Where the Wind Blows," "To Be With You" and "Wild World" you won't be disappointed here either! "A Rose Alone"and "Try to Do Without It" sound like MR. BIG covering THE BLACK CROWES and they pull it off quite nicely! "Hole in the Sun" and "How Does It Feel" both have big sing-along-choruses and by this point in the album I'm thinking there isn't going to be a weak track on the thing! Then the next two tracks come and go without doing anything for me. The cd ends with
"My New Religion" a slower acoustic number that reminds me of the slower material on "Hey Man" - nice way to end the album!

If you like Mr. Big, that's reason enough to go buy this release. If you like blues rock albums this release is top notch class in this department as well.

Review by: Rob

MYSTIC HEALER | Mystic Healer | (MTM Music, 1998)

Crossed My Heart / If You Ever Fall / Tonight / You Hold My Heart / You Never Know With Magic / Standin' In the Line Of Fire / I Am The One / Never Say Never / Can't Wait On Love / Live Wire / It Must Be Love

I had no idea that in they years of 1998/1999 I would get to hear a record like this, it couldn't sound more mid 80's. And it couldn't really sound more AOR:ish.
Former Touch/Drive, She Said keyboardist Mark Mangold has collected songs he's written over the years that surprisingly hasn't been cut for some reason. Songwriter's/musicians he's collaborated with are people like Michael Bolton, Aldo Nova, Tamara Champlin and his partner in crime from Drive, She Said Al Fritsch.
As one could imagine the overall quality of the material is strong, it's just a few 2-3 songs towards the end of the disc that tends to be on the average side.
Being the leader of this project Mark has pushed the keyboards way up in the mix, who have a real 80's feel. I shouldn't really complain about that, but the guitars suffer from that which automatically takes away some energy from the songs.
Okay, you have a great set of songs, a good production, talented players (Mark Mangold of course, Al Fritsch, Bob & Bruce Kulick, Tony Bruno etc.), but you need the right leadvocalist to take it all the way. And Mark has now with Mystic Healer introduced the AOR-world to Mr. Todd Googins. He sounds like some kind of mix between Al Fritsch and former David Glen Isley (Giuffria), but of course he has his own unique touch.
If you're into AOR such as mid 80's Michael Bolton/early Drive, She Said songs like "Crossed My Heart", "If You Ever Fall", "Tonight", "You Hold My Heart", "You Never Know With Magic", "Standin' In the Line Of Fire" and the tremendous piano driven ballad "It Must Be Love" (what a lovely song!) will definitely save you from starvation..

Review by: Stefan

MÖTLEY CRÜE | Live | (Spitfire Records, 1999)

Disc1: Looks That Kill / Knock 'Em Dead Kid / Too Young To Fall In Love / Live Wire / Public Enemy #1 / Shout At The Devil / Merry-Go-Round / Ten Seconds To Love / Piece Of Your Action / Starry Eyes / Helter Skelter
Disc2: Smokin' In The Boys Room / Don't Go Away Mad / Wild Side / Girls, Girls, Girls / Dr. Feelgood / Without You / Primal Scream / Same Ol' Situation / Home Sweet Home / Kickstart My Heart

I don't think that the bad boys of rock'n'roll from Hollywood, California needs any bigger introduction. They bursted onto the scene in 1982 with the heavy rocking "Too Fast For Love", which I still consider being their finest moment to date.
After almost 2 decades of rocking, drinking, and D.O.'s they still kick major butt! This double live cd contains recordings from 1982 all the way to 1999. Though I generally find live albums a bit uninteresting this one sure is a blast.
As the songs like "Looks That Kill", "Live Wire" and "Shout At The Devil" passed by on the first disc the volume increased and was at maximum when track 9 "Piece Of Your Action" filled the speakers with that almost classic guitar solo from Mick Mars.
Disc 2 with its focus on material from 1985 and onward isn't as good though. "Wild Side", "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Dr. Feelgood" could never be dismissed though.
But there's no need to dissect this album really. This is pure entertainment and definitely more exciting than a live album from Toto - any day!

Review by: Stefan