STONE SOUP - Spooge [Japanese edition] (1997)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

Americans STONE SOUP recorded this, their debut album "Spooge" between 1989-90, but negotiations with a major label dropped, and ain't was until 1997 that the album was released, only in Europe and Japan.

This is one of the best Melodic Rock / AOR albums appeared during the nineties. With a sound reminiscent of Aldo Nova, Bon Jovi and even Foreigner, it blends American stadium rockers and anthemic AOR tunes plenty of great hooks and keyboards.
Clearly recorded in different sessions (but it doesn't affect the flawless), the first part of the CD is more rockier, as heard on the anthemic "Fighting The Good Fight", the catchy "The Ultimate Touch" and the Bonfire-like "Can't Sell Me Love".
On the simple but effective "Promises" the sound starts to turn more American AOR-rock, where, as on the fantastic mid-tempo "Hit Where It Hurts", they reminds you '80s Foreigner.

The keyboards and melodic structure of "Run For Your Love" has some Journey reminiscences, while the driving "Right Before My Eyes" (featuring an Aldo Nova guest guitar solo) is one of catchiest tracks here, very much in the vein of Aldo eighties work or Surgin.
I don't know who is the female vocalist (not credited) sharing vocals with Patrick Klein on the awesome keyboard driven action movie-AOR of "Youngblood", but trust me, the result is terrific. Definitely, my favorite song of the CD.
This not easy to find Japanese press of the of the album includes two bonuses, being "Rock You" just a cool rocker, but what really makes worth to have this Asian version is the anthemic "When The Walls Come Down". What a great song! A real highlight, driven by a melodic guitar riff over blasting drums and a never-ending chorus.


European cover

As said, "Spooge" is a very, very good slice of late '80s commercial Melodic Rock / AOR, full of hooks, driving guitar & keyboard lines and very well harmonized catchy choruses.
Taken from the Japan CD (which features a different album cover) at maximum quality incl. full scans.
Recommended!


01 - Fighting The Good Fight
02 - The Ultimate Touch
03 - Can't Sell Me Love
04 - Not A Day Goes By
05 - Promises
06 - Run For Your Love
07 - Youngblood
08 - Right Before My Eyes *
09 - Hit Where It Hurts
10 - Hard Fall
11 - Rock You (Japan bonus)
12 - When The Walls Come Down (Japan bonus)


Patrick Klein: lead vocals, guitar
Matt Wells: lead & rhythm guitar
Kanin Thomas: keyboards, programming
Michael Anderson: guitar, bass, vocals
Aldo Nova: guitar solo on *


STONE SOUP - Spooge [Japanese edition]