My Fave Albums Of All Time #17 AOR (you haven't heard or don't remember)

After last weekends post one some of my fave classic AOR albums, I thought it would be cool to list a few of my fave obscurities from the genre.  Just because they are a little more obscure or forgotten, does not mean that they are not incredible.  Most times it was a case of bad timing, poor management, record company politics, or a combination of those.  So for fun, here is a list of some of the forgotten gems in AOR that I have always enjoyed.

1. Signal - Loud & Clear (1989)

I don't remember how I stumbled across this one, but it was probably 10 years ago or so, and found out that ex King Kobra vocalist, Mark Free, sang on this project.  This record is a perfect example of how AOR/Hard Rock should sound. It is also a perfect example of the control record companies had over bands on their roster.  I read the band played something like 6 shows to promote the record, with no support from the big guys.  Oh well, we still have the record to listen to.  At the time this album should have been huge, almost every song has hit single potential, with brilliant songwriting and performances from Mark Free and co. Think 80's Foreigner and Bad Company mixed with Bad English.  This album is one of the best of the genre.  Gets regular spins by me. A Classic!

2. Airrace - Shaft Of Light (1984)

From the back pages of Hit Parader magazine, I discovered another classic of the genre.  Airrace is a British band that featured none other than Jason Bonham on drums.  This is their debut and only album (until last years Back To The Start).  Another album that should have been huge, great songs, great production (courtesy of Beau Hill (Ratt), and the stunning vocals of Keith Murrell. Shaft Of Light is full of melodic rock and the whole record is full of catchy rockin' tunes. Faves include First One Over The Line, Didn't Want To Lose Ya, and Brief Encounter. If the Simmons drums and keyboards were pushed out a bit, this record would be along more of the hard rock of the time.  A brilliant album, with fantastic vocals and guitar, not to mention Bonhams drumming.  A must have.

3. Giuffria - S/T (1984)

This one is a little more familiar to some.  Ex-Angel keyboardist Gregg Giuffria put this band together in the early 80's and did two albums.  The S/T is a slice of lush, prime AOR.  Keyboards are up front, along with some tasty playing from guitarist Craig Goldy.  Vocalist David Glen Eisley gets to show off his pipes all over the record.

This record did do a bit of business at the time, had two great singles in the amazing Call To The Heart and Lonely In Love, and the band had the opening slot on Deep Purples reunion tour.  As a fan of Giuffria's previous band, the mighty Angel, I have always dug this record.  Along with the above mentioned singles, Turn Me On and Line Of Fire feature a more rocking sound.  The album ends on a proggy note with Out Of (The) Blue.  Check it out!

4. Magnum - Vigilante (1986)

UK rockers Magnum had already released 5 records, including the massive On A Storytellers Night, before Vigilante was released in 1986. Well known in thier homeland, Magnum should be mentioned in the same breath as their US contemporaries Journey and Foreigner.  Roger Taylor of Queen took over production duties on Vigilante, and his influence can be heard throughout the record. That Queen influence, along with the incredible vocals of Bob Catley and guitar work of Tony Clarkin make this album a great experience. Songs like Lonely Night and When The World Comes Down should have been all over the radio in North America. Lots of rock on the record too with Red On The Highway and the title track.  Cover art notwithstanding, Vigilante stands amongst Magnum's best works.

5. New England - S/T (1979)

This AOR rarity from 1979 is one of my faves.  I found out about these guys because being a KISS fan, I knew that it was produced by him, and the band opened up for KISS in Canada and the US on their Dynasty tour.  I would say their sound is a blend of classic KISS and ELO.  This record is known mainly for the Top 40 hit Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya, but the entire record is full of great rock and AOR.  Tracks like P.U.N.K. and Shoot show that New England could rock with the best of them.  A really underrated act that should have been bigger.  Members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea went on to work with Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen in Alcatrazz.  Hunt this one down!

That's all for now, I'll be back with more of my fave albums and lost gems soon! MUYA!

My Fave Albums Of All Time #16 Classic AOR

I"ve been known to go on tangents with my music, listening to bands entire discographys, jumping from genre to genre...One day it's Malmsteen, and the next it's Styx.  That just how it goes.  As long as it's rocking, I'm usually on board.  Lately, I've been spinning alot of classic AOR (Album Oriented Rock).  The term was really just used for radio stations back in the day, but now it represents an entire genre of music.  It can be everyone from Air Supply and Michael Bolton to Journey and later 80's hard rock bands. Soaring vocals, and lots of keys.  So having said that, I stick to the stuff that is more guitar and hard rock based, rather than the really sappy style.  I thought it would be fun to compile a quick list of my Top 5 AOR albums.  I'm gonna do two lists, the first will be releases you are mostly familiar with, and the second list will be some of the hidden gems of the genre.  Enjoy!

1. Journey - Escape (1981)

Really for me, this is the Granddaddy of them all.  The peak of Journey's popularity, and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Journey had some good records before this one, but Escape is a bonafide classic.  Steve Perry, Neil Schon and new recruit Jonathan Cain (The Baby's), along with Steve Smith and Ross Valory took their classic sound to a whole new level with brilliant performances and production.  Don't Stop Believin', Who's Crying Now and Open Arms were the hits, but the secret to this album is the deeper tracks like Stone In Love, Mother, Father and the title track.  I loved this record as a kid, and do to this day.  A true rock classic, and an album I would think any rock fan should have in their collection. 9 million people can't be wrong.  Bask in it's awesomeness!

2. Foreigner - 4 (1981)

1981 was a great year for music, metal was exploding everywhere, and rock acts were releasing the best music of their careers.  Like Journey, Foreigner has some great records leading up to this, but this one blew the doors open.  Produced by the legendary Mutt Lange, Foreigner took their classic rock roots to a new level and landed them a #1 record.  No easy feat in 1981.  Trimmed down to a four piece, Foreigner continued on with a rockier sound with tunes like lead off track Night Life, I'm Gonna Win and the classic Juke Box Hero.  Lou Gramm proves once again he is one of the greatest American rock vocalists ever.  This record also contains the brilliant Urgent, as well as uber ballad Waiting for a Girl Like You. A record that sat along nicely with all my more metal releases.  A classic record.

3. Asia - Asia (1982)

Please, no 40 Year Old Virgin jokes...Supergroup Asia's debut landed on an unsuspecting rock audience in 1982.  Featuring members of classic prog bands Yes, King Crimson and ELP, Asia is a perfect blend of prog, rock and pop. It went to #1, and sold like pancakes.  Sure the hit Heat Of The Moment is the touchstone here, but 2nd single, Only Time Will Tell, and deep rockers like Wildest Dreams and Sole Survivor are what really grabbed me.  I vividly remember listening to my friends copy (Hi Pat!) in Junior High. A great record that contains killer performances with a pop rock attitude with prog rock sensibilities. Still sound good to these ears today.  Follow up Alpha, although a little lighter is another solid record from Asia.  Glad to hear that the original members are still working together.

4. Survivor - Vital Signs (1984)

Survivor is one of those bands that are known for "That Song".  Get over it people. While Eye Of The Tiger is a great song on a better album, Survivor have a wealth of great rock music in their catalog.  Vital Signs was the 2nd follow up to the above mentioned, and is a fantastic example of great AOR.  Brilliant vocals from new recruit Jimi Jamison, and a great blend of ballads and rockers, with some of the best choruses I have heard. Lots of fond High School memories with the hits I Can't Hold You Back, High On You, and one of the best ballads ever in The Search Is Over.  Again, there is more to the record than the hits.  Check out Broken Promises, Popular Girl and Everlasting.  A record I enjoy more now than I did at the time...and I love it now.  Hey, us metalheads need to clear the palate, right?

5. Styx - Pieces Of Eight (1978)

Maybe not a true AOR album, but after mentioning Journey and Foreigner, I have to say Styx because they are one of the best bands from the US ever, and this album features elements of AOR, Prog and Hard Rock.  Maybe Cornerstone would be a better choice for AOR, but I like Pieces Of Eight better.  Not a dud on this album, and features all the rocking pomp you would expect from Styx.  My fave Styx song Blue Collar Man is here, along with rockers Great White Hope, Queen Of Spades and Renegade. In this day and age, the younger people don't realize how incredible some of this music was (is).  At the time this baby went triple platinum and was a precursor for alot of the melodic rock and metal that dominated the 80's.  A great spin and an example of everything right with rock and roll. STYX!

That list was pretty easy to compile, but there are a hundred more I could add.  Although Hard Rock is my main deal, the above bands and albums have always been a big part of my life.  Next up this weekend is my Top 5 AOR you probably have not heard or remember! See ya next time for another blast from the past!