THE BURNS SISTERS - Endangered Species (1989)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

New York based THE BURNS SISTERS opted for an appropriate band name, as there's five sisters at the core: Annie, Marie, Terry (Theresa), Jeannie and Sheila Burns, all owner of fantastic voices. Yes, the five share their pipes in the band resulting in highly harmonized melodies.
The Burns Sisters were signed by major label Columbia Records in the mid-Eighties and released their first album in 1986, a rock&pop / AOR disc oriented to radio. But for this second effort "Endangered Species" the band management and the label opted for a rocking approach according to the time of release; 1989.

"Endangered Species" is a terrific Melodic Rock / AOR album with all the magic the genre had to offer in America circa 1989. Production is top notch, the guitars bite and the choruses are celestial.
Of course, grand part of this success should be thanked to AOR guru Bob Marlette (The Storm, Alice Cooper) who not only provide the awesome guitar riffs / solos and co-write the songs, but also was at charge of the musical direction.

There's not a single weak track on "Endangered Species"; you have a catchy rocker in "Love Me Like A Man", the pumping AOR of "We Wait For Freedom" (the best song Heart never wrote), the melodic bliss of "Remember Me" (akin Fiona), the moving "Greenlight", and if you need ballads "Hold On" is an AOR diamond, as the calm and multi-layered vocal arrangement of "The King Is Going To Fall".



"Endangered Species" is pretty unknown for many Melodic Rock / AOR fans due the album's failure to chart when released, and was forgotten soon. That was not because the lack of quality for sure, but at the time there was a change of management at Columbia Records and the record never got a proper release and promotion.
Well, it's time to enjoy this "Endangered Species" from beginning to end, at maximum quality and with complete artwork.


01 - Love Me Like A Man
02 - We Wait For Freedom
03 - The King Is Going To Fall
04 - Remember Me
05 - Hold On
06 - My Boyfriend's Back
07 - Greenlight
08 - Place To Rock
09 - Answers
10 - Last Eagle (For The People Of Big Mountain)

Annie Burns - Vocals
Jeannie Burns - Vocals
Terry Burns - Vocals
Marie Burns - Backing Vocals
Sheila Burns - Backing Vocals
Denny Fongheiser - Drums
Bob Marlette - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards




THE BURNS SISTERS - Endangered Species HQ
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SHARP EDGES - Slice Of Life (1983) CDrip

SHARP EDGES was a Canadian AOR band that sadly only released this miniLP "Slice Of Life" in 1983. Only 6 tracks but all good, contagious tunes with the unmistakable '80s sound.
Mixing commercial radio friendly choruses with rockin' AOR riffs, these guys were really, really good.

Opener "On The Edge" is a semi-midtempo rockers with an action-movie cadence, filled with stabbing keyboards and solid percussion. Dave Filchak's vocals are perfect for this, reminding me Larry Greene (Fortune), while Tom Lang plays a short but sharp guitar solo.
"Too Young" has a pure AOR pumping attack. Here Lang takes the mic and, apart of his sharp six-string work, he is really good singing too! His riffs and specially the swirling keyboards are a must on this track.

"Runaway" is a catchy funky version of Del Shannon classic (well done), and follower "Girl On The Airwaves" has a radio-rock approach wrapped with great harmony vocals. The slightly Hi-Tech style of "Schizophrenia" definitely has the typical Canadian AOR sound with 'that' drums.
"City Boy" is a another winner, an uptempo rockin' AOR with a great refrain / hook and constant catchiness.



Crisply produced by Canadian guru Ed Stasium (Vixen, Ratt), "Slice Of Life" is a great CanCon AOR representation of the first half of the Eighties. It's catchy, melodic and fun.
This is the rare CD edition done by a small Dutch label, transferred with a truly good sound quality. Seems there's a newly CD re-issue, including a b-side and a couple of remixes.
Highly Recommended to any '80s AOR fan.


01 - On The Edge
02 - Too Young
03 - Runaway
04 - Girl On The Airwaves
05 - Schizophrenia
06 - City Boy

Dave Filchak - Guitar, Vocals
Tom Lang - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Dan Zimmerman - Bass
George Klimow - Drums
John Webster - guest Keyboards




SHARP EDGES - Slice Of Life (1983)
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LISA HARTMAN - 'Til My Heart Stops (1988)

"Til My Heart Stops" by LISA HARTMAN is one of the best (if not the Best) produced records in 1988 speaking about female fronted AOR. Call it rock&pop, lite AOR, melodic synth rock, but definitively this is '80s AOR flavored, really modern production-wise and still sounds superb today.
The distinctive and good thing about this album are the upfront guitars in the mix. And of course, Lisa's smooth vocals that reminds me Patty Smyth (Scandal). We can hear as well similarities to Robin Beck, Liza Nemzo and why not, Heart.
Brilliantly produced by not other than Bill Wray (check his solo album posted on the blog), " ’Til My Heart Stops" has a punchy and crisp sound.

The opening keyboard lines of the first track "Tempt Me (If You Want To)" are to die for. This is pure Eighties. You only can get a song like this on an album recorded in that era. The guitars (courtesy of master Michael Landau) are from outer space. Also the killer chorus and powerful vocal delivery by Lisa.
"I Don't Need Love" is a terrific commercial midtempo followed by the radiable "Ooh, I'm Satisfied". Then another gem; "I Can't Get You Out Of My System" with its increscendo magical AOR vibe with extra-compressed drums.
Quirky keyboards ornament the melody of "Tender Kiss", a track with a monster rhythm guitar work and one of the most seasoned performances by Hartman.

"The Dress" is another winner: a charming soft melodic rocker penned by cult AORster James House.
"How Many Rivers" is slow and climatic. Here Lisa sounds like Luba, that's not a surprise because this song is written by her together with Bill Wray. I love the bridge before the short guitar solo.
"Imagination" is the only track that sounds pretty retro, circa 1983. Synth bass and programmed drums on a 'Flashdance' style tune. Then title track "'Til My Heart Stops Beating" is 'one of those' ballads. Really good vocals and arrangements ready for FM stations.



"Til My Heart Stops" is a pretty unknown album for many AOR fans perhaps due Hartman's pop origins. It's full of great tunes, strong vocals and superb musicianship (check personnel below). It's a perfect product of its time.
This is unfortunately Lisa Hartman last recording before she got married and decided to quit the business.
But what a great one it is.


1 - Tempt Me (If You Want To)
2 - I Don't Need Love
3 - Ooh, I'm Satisfied
4 - I Can't Get You Out Of My System
5 - Tender Kiss
6 - The Dress
7 - How Many Rivers
8 - Imagination
9 - 'Till My Heart Stops Beating

Lisa Hartman - Lead & Background Vocals
Michael Landau - Guitars
Trevor Rabin - Acoustic Guitar Solo (2)
Waddy Wachtel - Guitar (6, 7); Guitar Solo (6)
Larry Klein - Bass, Keyboards, Fairlight
Phil Brown - Bass, Guitar, Background Vocals
Steve Goldstein - Linn Programming, Keyboards, Bass
Mick Guzauski, Manu Katche - Percussion
Craig Krampf - Drum over-dubs
Kevin Raleigh - Background Vocals (4)
Timothy Schmidt - Background Vocals (8)
The Waters - Background Vocals (7)
Bill Wray - Producer, Background vocals (5, 7)




LISA HARTMAN - 'Til My Heart Stops 1988
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TODD HOBIN and The Heat - Turn It On (1984) +1

Fronting his own band, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist TODD HOBIN enjoyed considerable success in the Syracuse, New York area since the late Seventies. The group released three albums and some singles back in the day, and while he still performs with the original Todd Hobin Band and as solo artist, stopped recording (at least full albums) since the mid-Eighties when this miniLP "Turn It On" appeared in 1984.

"Turn It On" was the result of his new band assembled after the last tour he did, re-branded TODD HOBIN and The HEAT. The music inside is the typical radio-friendly melodic rock with AOR touches from the era, with the special flavor some independent bands had.
Mostly are uptempo and melodious tunes, heavily synth dominated with strong guitars riffs. Todd has an 'affected' voice, and his style fits like a glove into these well written songs, simple and effective.
Also keyboardist Doug Moncrief provides back-up lead vocals creating really smooth harmonies.



All are cool numbers, perhaps my favorite is the title track, featuring a very good mid-paced intro with a keyboard festival throughout the entire track.
Added as bonus is "Far Away Eyes", an outtake that in fact they did not included into the miniLP because is was not finished at the time of the recording. It's one of the best tracks here, with some Franke & The Knockouts and Starship on it, and lots, lots of keyboards.
Very nice for the collection!


1 - Everybody's Girl
2 - For A Girl Like You
3 - She
4 - Alibi
5 - Turn It On
6 - Far Away Eyes (outtake / bonus track)

Todd Hobin: lead vocals, guitars
Doug Moncrief: lead & backing vocals, keyboards & guitars
Mark Novak: bass & backing vocals
Shawn Hobin: drums & backing vocals




TODD HOBIN and The Heat - Turn It On
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PLANET 3 feat JAY GRAYDON - Gems Unearthed [Japan version +3] (2004)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

For any AOR fan, the name JAY GRAYDON needs no introduction. With twelve Grammy nominations (2 wins) this talented songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, producer, arranger and recording engineer is one of the greats from the legendary LA scene.
Graydon also found time for his own projects, like PLANET 3 (featuring as band mates the cream of the genre in Clif Magness and Glen Ballard) releasing a stupendous album in the early '90s.

With such busy personnel, few would have expected a new Planet 3 album, but that happened in 2004 with this "Gems Unearthed" a follow up CD with many previously unreleased songs as well as re-worked, alternate versions of a few songs from the first Planet 3 album.
You have here superb AOR melodies, uptempo / ballad tunes full of elegance and class.
There's irresistible tracks like the lush "Jenny's Still In Love", the '80s synth gem "Push It In", the stratospheric AOR of "Criminal" alongside classy FM ballads such as "I Don't Want To Say Goodnight" or the beauty of "Tonight You're Mine".
You know, classic '80s stuff in the vein of Toto, Chicago, Keane, etc.



This Japanese release features 3 additional tracks, taken from Graydon's solo work: one is the Grammy awarded monster ballad "After the Love Has Gone" (written by Graydon / David Foster / Bill Champlin) in a new version sung by Champlin.
The others are "Roxann" with the unforgettable Warren Wiebe on lead vocals, and "Holdin' On to Love" featuring Sherwood Ball, both excellent cuts as well.
Needless to say, production, mix, mastering, etc. in "Gems Unearthed" is top notch, pristine and clear.
A must.


01 - After the Love Has Gone *
02 - Holdin' On to Love *
03 - Roxann *
04 - Jenny's Still In Love
05 - Modern Girl
06 - Tonight You're Mine
07 - Push It In
08 - Mondo Rock
09 - Criminal
10 - Comin' Together
11 - I Don't Want To Say Goodnight
12 - Make My Day
13 - I Gotta Have It

* Japanese edition extra tracks

Jay Graydon: guitars, keyboards, programming
Clif Magness: vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming
Glen Ballard: keyboards, programming
with:
David Foster, Mark Portman: keyboards
Bill Cantos: keyboards, backing vocals
Kenji Sano: bass
Jerry Hey: horns
Jay Oliver: synths
Bill Champlin: vocals
Sherwood Ball: vocals
Warren Wiebe: vocals




PLANET 3 feat JAY GRAYDON Gems Unearthed [Japan version +3]
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GLORY - Danger In This Game [Japanese Edition] (1989)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

"Danger In This Game", arguably the best album from Swedes GLORY, deserved a place on this blog. And that's simply because this record is among the best Melodic Hard Rock ever created from the Scandinavian factory.
With lovely AOR touches in the best Swedish / Norwegian / Danish tradition, you need "Danger In This Game" alongside your Europe, Alien or Treat collection.

Since the first bars of powerful opener title track 'Danger In This Game' you have pure Scandi magic. The AORish 'Never Stop', if released 3 years before, easily could have competed with any Europe hit.
'Runaway' is a killer melodic rocker, while 'Feel The Fire' is one of the best mid-tempo / semi-ballad emerged from the genre (very Alien-like) complete with lovely keyboards.

But the star here is guitarist Jan Granwick: this underrated axeman shines all over the record with punchy rhythms and stratospheric solos. Just listen his work on the driving 'Like An Eagle'...
More gems arrive with 'I'm Hurt', 'This Is The Love' and the superb 'Survivor' (again, a sharp six-string work).



You need "Danger In This Game" in your Melodic Hard Rock / AOR collection. It's a rare case of all killers, no fillers. Even the instrumental last track ironically titled 'Exhibition' (to mock all guitar heroes) is great and with sense of a 'song', not just pyrotechnics.
This very hard to find Japanese release of "Danger In This Game" (different cover... and mastering?) sounds much better than any other in my opinion, brighter and punchier.
A Must Have.


01 - Danger In This Game
02 - Never Stop
03 - Feel The Fire
04 - This Is The Love
05 - Runaway
06 - Like An Eagle
07 - Harmony
08 - I'm Hurt
09 - Tell Me (If I'm Wrong)
10 - Survivor
11 - Exhibition

Peter Eriksson - vocals
Jan Granwick - guitars
Andy Loos - bass, backing vocals
Jonas Sandkvist - keyboards
Matt Driver - drums




GLORY Danger In This Game [Japanese Edition]
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LIMITED WARRANTY - Limited Warranty (1986) [Wounded Bird Records remaster]

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Originally from Minneapolis, LIMITED WARRANTY was one of these American bands from the '80s mixing influences from the British New Wave scene with US radio friendly melodies. Call it Hi-Tech, power rock&pop, light AOR, etc, the music from this quintet is always dynamic, catchy and accessible.

After an indie EP, Limited Warranty appeared in the National TV show 'Star Search' alongside, among others, the also Minneapolis based band Film At Eleven, whom later would evolve into Zurich.
Limited Warranty won the prize, and soon the band was signed by major label Atlantic (for his ATCO division). The self-titled full length debut was recorded in England produced by Brian Tench & Vince Ely, so it's not strange to hear some British flavor on some tracks.

"Limited Warranty" sound & style is not far from the aforementioned Zurich, yet more upbeat in the vein of greats Real Life, Cutting Crew and even the first Mr. Mister. But also there's some kind of 'Canadian sound' all over, pristine and clear.
All songs are pretty good, melodic, with fine instrumentation and smooth vocals.



"Limited Warranty" remained unreleased on CD until some years ago when excellent reissue label Wounded Bird Records did this superb remastering job from the original tapes.
Quite rare, even more this remastered CD version now out of print.


01 - Last To Know
02 - Hit You From Behind
03 - This Is Serious
04 - Beat Down The Door
05 - Yesterday's News
06 - Victory Line
07 - One Of A Kind
08 - Never Enough
09 - Domestic 17
10 - You Can Buy

Greg Sotebeer - Lead Vocals, Bass
Dale Goulett - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Jerry Brunskill - Drums, Vocals
Erik Newman - Guitars
Paul Hartwig - Keyboards, Vocals




LIMITED WARRANTY (1986) remastered
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SCOTT GRIMES - Livin' On The Run (2005)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

SCOTT GRIMES is a well-known actor in Hollywood, with a career started in the '80s (movie Critters as a young kid) and more recently in TV series Band of Brothers, ER, American Dad!, etc.
But his true passion is to sing, play the piano and compose songs. He released a self-titled debut album in 1989 on major label, but later concentrated in acting.

Movies and TV shows did not leave much time to the music, but in between Grimes managed to write and record a great number of songs, mainly with his songwriter friend Dave Harris.
After 16 years of his debut album, Scott Grimes released this collection of tunes under the title "Livin' On The Run" in 2005. Most were penned several years prior the CD release and taped at different stages with many session musicians involved.

"Livin' On The Run" was quite successful, with two singles ranking in the Billboard Top Forty Adult Contemporary Chart; the title track and "Sunset Blvd", the latter remaining in the Top 20 for 10 weeks.
Is not a surprise, because both songs and most the material included in the CD are catchy, radio-friendly poppy melodic rock tunes with a feel-good vibe.
Scott Grimes abilities behind the mic are second to none, being a skilled songwriter as well. He has co-written songs with many renowned artists, as example, John Spinks of The Outfield.
This gives you a pretty accurate idea of this album's sound & style: The Outfield blended with '80s Rick Springfield stuff and maybe some Bryan Adams.



"Livin' On The Run" is a really good, highly enjoyable collection of songs extremely melodic and catchy at first listen, skillfully produced by the legendary Tom Fletcher (Dokken, Ozzy, Steve Lukather, Scorpions).
Very Recommended.


01 - Livin' On The Run
02 - Sunset Blvd
03 - I Saw You
04 - Best Days Of My Life
05 - You Come Around
06 - Carrie
07 - I Wanna Be There
08 - Summerthing
09 - There Ain't Nothin'
10 - Rock 'n' Roll Girl
11 - Around And Around
12 - Without You
13 - Hollywood Sign
14 - Four
15 - Finale

Scott Grimes: vocals, guitar, piano
Jay Gore: guitar
Luke Miller: keyboards
Ricardo Belled: bass
Robin DiMaggio: drums, percussion
Paul Buckmaster: string arrangements
Dawn Bailey: background vocals
... and more




SCOTT GRIMES - Livin' On The Run
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1RKO - First Round Knock Out (2007) + bonus

Re-posted by request as although featured here on the blog in 2008, I never seen this one anywhere in the web.

1RKO or First Round Knock Out was formed in the new Century by bassist Brian Spangenberg - member of several groups in the Bay Area in California, most notably Circle Of Soul with which recorded the very good album '91 'Hands of Faith' - decided to join forces with singer Simon Daniels.
Simon, who grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he lived until his teens, it's a L.A. rock scene veteran. He was part of Jailhouse, which debut album 'Alive in a Mad World' (1989) sold over than 50.000 copies and had several videos in rotation on MTV Headbangers Ball.

So you have here veteran musicians from the late '80s L.A. hard rock scene, then expect infectious guitar hooks and catchy choruses.
Tired of labels, they decided go indie and recorded 'First Round Knock Out' by themselves, released in limited quantities in 2006. The fan's answer surprised and the album sold out.
A second edition (this one, with refreshed artwork) appeared in 2007 with two extra tracks.



1RKO sound & style brings to mind Night Ranger Gary Moon era, which to me, it's a plus. Also some Marchello / Vestry but more rough around the edges.
You have kickin', hard rockin' and melodic numbers in "The Man", "One More Time", "Right Now" or the very good cover of The Sweet's classic "Fox On The Run".
But my favorite is the killer melodic hard rocker "So Alive", driven by sharp guitars and featuring great harmony vocals.

As bonus I added two 1RKO unreleased tracks; a strong cover of AC/DC's staple "Hells Bells", and the classy melodic rock "Anything", a really good cut, again, recalling Night Ranger.
Very Recommended.


01 - Fox On The Run
02 - One More Time
03 - Black And White
04 - Right Now
05 - The Outcome
06 - So Alive
07 - The Man
08 - Hand In Hand
09 - Anything (unreleased) - bonus
10 - Hells Bells (unreleased) - bonus

Simon Daniels - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Derek Stephens - Guitars
Brian Spangenberg - Bass, Vocals
Rich Sacco - Drums




1RKO - First Round Knock Out (2007) +2
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