SAFIRE - Safire (1995)

Australia never was a prolific land for AOR bands, but some good outfits come out from the land of Oz.

Safire is one of 'em, they play an infectious melodic hard rock / AOR music.

This 6 track only CD keep you interested from start to finnish, with catchy songs.

Great production for an indie release, now out of print and very hard to find original.

Give this a listen, you will love it.

1. Now You've Gone 3:35

2. Love Conquers All 4:30

3. After the Rain 4:39

4. In Your Eyes 4:34

5. Set You Free 4:10

6. White at Night 4:53

Steve Martret: guitars, backing vocals

Jason Old: lead vocals

Aaron Suter: keyboards, backing vocals

Mozz Walters: bass

Bill Georgio: drums

SAFIRE EP

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EXPORT - Living In The Fear Of The Private Eye (1986)

Export was an UK band in the same ligue as STRANGEWAYS, RIO and similar.

AOR at its best, with great choruses and keys here and there.

The guitar-man is the monster Steve Morris (HEARTLAND, SHADOWMAN, NEWMAN, GRAND ILLUSION, etc).

All songs are fantastic IMHO, very well played and produced.

1986=What a year!

Incredibly, this little gem never was released on CD, but no problem, this vinyl-rip sounds million bucks, you must hear this pristine rip!

Myself made artwork included.

Highly recommended.

1.Living In The Fear of The Private Eye

2.No Escape

3-Runnin' Back (For More)

4.Airwaves

5.You Make Me Wanna

6.Closer To You

7.Tear Me Apart

8.Summer Nights

9.Can't Say No

Harry Shaw – Lead Vocals

Steve Morris – Guitars

Chris Alderman – Bass

Lou Rosenthal – Drums

This album is reposted HERE

IAN THOMAS - Levity (1988) 320Kbps

Great canadian musician and composer, Ian Thomas recorded several albums in the '70s and '80s. Many of his songs have been recorded by top artists like Chicago, America and Santana among others.

'Levity' is his last solo album, and the only one released on cd. In Germany, the album was renamed 'Square One'.

You'll find here lush arrangements, superb vocals and high class production, similar Stan Meissner style.

Awesome Top Class AOR.

Highly Recommended!

Extremely rare and expensive, over 200 dollars EBay price.

Out of print.

1. Levity 4:21

2. Losing control 4:10

3. Only believe 4:14

4. Another chance 3:24

5. Back to square one 3:55

6. Modern man 4:12

7. All about her 4:26

8. These are not gods 4:32

9. Let the stone roll 5:25

Guitar, Keyboards & Vocals: Ian Thomas

Bass: Dave Pilch

Drums: Neil Wilkenson

Drums: Kevin McKenzie

Keyboards: Steve Piggot

Keyboards: Lou Pomanti

IAN THOMAS - Levity
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HALO - Halo (1990)

IMHO the best Christian AOR-HRock band.
Better than Petra or Guardian, 'cos the keys are more predominant here, but the guitars still heavy, and more diverse songs.
The lyrics are ok, no preach all the time.
Alot people will be surprised with this band, tons of energy and driven rockin'AOR.
Produced by the Elefante bros=good sound guaranteed.
Out Of Print .


1. Jesus Music 4:20
2. Lord of All 4:39
3. Good Feeling 4:13
4. Language Barrier 5:09
5. Skyrocket 3:45
6. Lose to Live 4:33
7. Sing (of His Glory) 4:21
8. Soul Searcher 3:49
9. Time to Run 4:01
10. Timeless 1:07

Scott Springer bass, lead vocals
Barry Graul guitar, vocals
Mike Graham drums, keyboards, vocals
John & Dino Elefante co-producers


Halo (1990)
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O'RYAN - Something Strong (1991)

Well guys and gals, this is almost a perfect album, with a total 80's feel, plenty of melody an sing-along songs.

Killer uptempo melodic tracks, even the ballads are strong. I can't name a highlight, all are fabulous, no fillers here.

Really good production and sound, similar style to Joseph Lee Wood (already posted here), Tim Feehan or earlier Stan Meissner.

Top class AOR. Highly recommended.

If you can find it, BUY IT.

1. Stronger Than Love

2. Reaction

3. Don't Let It Slip Away

4. Shaky Ground

5. Something Strong

6. Emer May

7. Blood Upon a Stone

8. Lying Eyes

9. Deeper Than the Ocean

Mervyn Spence: lead vocals, guitar, piano, bass

Dieter Petereit: keyboards, bass programming

Curt Cress: drums

Pit Low: keyboards

Peter Weihe: guitars

Hermann Weindorf: piano

Re-posted HERE
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MIKAEL ERLANDSSON - The Gift (2002) Japan edition + bonus

Mikael is a well known singer in Japan and Sweden.

His sweet voice was chosen for various AOR projects like Tommy Denander's "Radioactive" or "Heartbreak Radio".

But he find a stable band role in "Last Autumn's Dream", a great swedish outfit.

This is his 4th and last solo album, a fine collection of songs, well produced an well written.

'I Send You My Heart', 'Stop', 'Excuse Me Baby' are good examples, production could be better, it's ok.

Nothing to die for, but a good listen and an opportunity to discover this underrated artist.

If you like it, BUY IT.

1. Out Of Champagne 3:16

2. Stop (Following Me) 4:04

3. I Love You 4:14

4. Soul Is My Name 4:38

5. This Is Your Life 3:31

6. Million Dollar Girl 3:34

7. I Send You My Heart 3:40

8. My Day 3:38

9. Stay 3:59

10. Excuse Me Baby 3:53

11. Love's Got A Hold On Me 3:26

12. 24-Hours 2:28

13. It's Gonna Be Alright 4:25 (Japan bonus)

Mikael Erlandsson Lead Vocals, Keyboards

Jan Eliasson Lead Guitar

Mats Persson Bass, Guitar, Keyboards

Torbjoern Wassenius Guitar

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GREENWAY - Serious Business (1988)

April Wine's guitarrist on a solo album.

Well, this has almost nothing in common with his earlier band.

Influenced by these year's AOR wave ('88), this nice recording sound more like american AOR style ala Stan Meissner, Larry Greene, Aldo Nova.

In fact, Aldo play keys here and contribute in the songwriting department.

Well produced and mixed, 'In the Danger Zone' is an AOR classic of all time.

Out of print. (U$S 75 eBay price!)

1. In the Danger Zone 4:08

2. Right Track 3:21

3. Playin' to Win 3:21

4. Serious Business 4:21

5. I Can't Hold Back 4:59

6. Let It Go 5:04

7. R U Ready For Love 3:48

8. I Believe in You 3:54

9. It's Alright 3:48

10. I Can't Say No 4:16

Brian Greenway vocals, lead guitars, slide guitars, keyboards

Aldo Nova keyboards

Andy Newmark drums

Daniel Barbe keyboards

Marty Simon Synclavier, keyboards, co-producer

GREENWAY - Serious Business

NOVAK - Forever Endeavour (2005)

Great album from the 'new wave' of Scandi-AOR scene.

Andreas Novak comes from the progg territory, he was part of the 'MIND'S EYE' project with his friend, the monster musician Daniel Flores.

After 2 discs with M.E., Daniel encouraged Andreas to record a solo album.

The result is this varied, well played collection of songs, in the modern AOR vein, with melodic-rock feel.

'Nowhere To Run' is a killer opener, the ballad 'Another Woman' and 'Forever Endeavour' are good examples of how good this recording is.

Classic sound, big production, very well played.

Tommy Denander guest in a couple tracks.

If you like it, BUY IT.

1. Nowhere To Run 4:44

2. How Does It Feel 4:15

3. Save Me 3:19

4. Forever Endeavour 4:44

5. Another Woman 4:26

6. By Your Side 3:26

7. Extreme Fakeover 4:31

8. Follow Your Heart 3:57

9. Carry On 4:40

10. Don't You Remind Me 3:31

11. Back To The Free World 3:51

12. Gates Of Defeat 5:00

Andreas Novak Vocals, Guitars

Daniel Flores Drums, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Tommy Denander Guitar

Benny Janson Guitar

Kristian Niemann Guitar

Daniel Palmqvist Guitar

Johan Niemann Bass

Andreas Olson Bass

Martina Edoff Vocals on Track 5

NOVAK - Forever Endeavour

JOSEPH LEE WOOD - Joseph Lee Wood (1989)

What can I say 'bout this album?
It's a lost GEM.
Originally recorded in 1989, never seen the light of day 'till 2002.
Thanx to God, 'cos all tracks featured here are true diamonds.
Perfect AOR songwriting, catchy and mid-tempo passages, beautiful ballads.
Joseph's voice is clear and sweet, strong guitars, awesome keys and terrific choruses, the bandmates are pure class; Monty Smith (guitar) ex session and tourmember of Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Steppenwolf, Johnny Winter,etc ; Chris Leighton (drums) of Bo Diddley, Ben E. King, The Beach Boys, Diane Shuur, Randy Bachman and Gregg Fox (keys) ex T.K.O.
Production in charge of Tom Hill (Queensryche), 10 points.
My fav tracks: Love Is the Light , Time to Come Home, Love You Like I Love You, Talk to Me, but all are highlights, flavoured with classic 80's sound ala Stan Bush, Michael O'Brien, Zappacosta, Survivor and, call me nuts, I can hear some Firehouse somewhere...
Top Class AOR, Highly Recommended.
Thanx Troy!
If you like it, BUY IT.

1. Don't Stand So Far Away 4:15
2. Flirting Eyes 3:49
3. When's the Last Time You Felt Like a Woman 4:09
4. To Have and to Hold 4:44
5. Won't Stop Loving You 3:57
6. Love Is the Light 3:25
7. Talk to Me 4:41
8. Love You Like I Love You 5:01
9. Time to Come Home 4:10
10. Letters in the Rain 4:58

Joseph Lee Wood: lead and backing vocals
Marty Randles: bass, drums, rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Monty Smith: guitars, backing vocals
Chris Leighton: drums, percussion
Greg Fox: keyboards, backing vocals
Bo Wittmer: guest guitar in 'Love You Like I Love You'
Skyler Duryea: backing vocals
Producer: Tom Hill


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