NORWAY - Arrival [Frontiers]
Another 80's inspired melodic rock band [this one from New Jersey!] in the school of Journey, Night Ranger, Heart, and numerous others. Gotta say tho, after a few listens I like these guys. Sure the direction and formula ain't overly original, and the synths sound a beat thin in places, but the guitars come off aggressive and strong, the vocals are excellent, and the band has a knack for writing memorable tunes,... despite the 80s tag. Stand-outs include rockers like "Givin It All", "I Don't Wanna Love You", "Heaven In Your Arms", along with more melodic numbers like "When You Close Your Eyes" [gheesh, what titles!], and the slightly Bon Jovi-ish "Can't Live Without You". Well worth checking out! Check out www.norwayrocks.com

AXEL RUDI PELL - The Masquerade Ball / Oceans Of Time / The Ballads [SPV]
Renowned German metal guitarist, who's been around for eons, and has like 10 albums to his name, now with 3 getting a US release, most notably his latest 2. Pell, to his credit, has always had good singers, and his latest albums feature the strong voice of Johnny Gioelli - Ex of HARDLINE. Both albums follow a similar pattern of huge riffs, big guitar rockers, a ballad or 2, and at least 2 big epic pieces. "Oceans Of Time" features memorable rockers like "Carousel" [clocking in at 8 minutes, with one long confused solo], and "Ride The Rainbow", alongside epics like "The Gates Of The Seven Seals" and the title track.

"The Masquerade Ball" is just as impressive with cuts like "Earls Of Black", "Voodoo Nights", and a pretty decent cover of Uriah Heep's "July Morning" [although Ferdy Doernberg's keyboard intro reminds me more of Bloodrock's "DOA" than the Heep classic!]. At any rate, Pell's stuff here is appealing for rockers, with all the riffs, and guitar heroics, big guitar sound, reminiscent of Blackmore and Schenker; and Gieolli's vocals are great! Last up is a re-issue of "The Ballads", which immediately begs the question - Why ? Taken from some of Pell's previous albums, and a few cuts that never made it, The Ballads chalks up some decent ballads, a few covers, and a few painful moments, such as a cover of "Forever Young" [one of many featuring Jeff Scott Soto on vox], or Bob Rock's vocals on a cover of Deep Purple's "When A Blind Man Cries". Also includes a cover of Rainbow's "Tearin Out My Heart", and a number of instrumentals [another Why !]. Apparently there's a Volume 2 to this as well! Hmm. For more on this guy, check out his official site www.axel-rudi-pell.de

WARRANT - Latest & Greatest [Cleopatra]
For whatever reason 80s almost has-beens WARRANT decided to re-record their biggest [hmm] "hits" with a new line-up, throw in a few decent new tracks, and a few pointless remixes to let the die-hards know they ain't dead yet! I imagine if i were a die-hard I'd appreciate this a lot more, and as easy as it seems to be cynical about such a release, I must admit that I'll take these re-workings over many of the originals now. To their credit, many of the hits have been beefed up, with less of the 80s production schlock and a more raw approach. Although Jani Lane [is this guy still wearing eye-liner?] doesn't quite hit the high notes he used to [see "I Saw Red"] - he does a decent job throughout. Interesting to note too that the tracks are now credited to Lane, where as on the originals they were credited to multiple bandmembers. Ends oddly with a bunch of goofy remixed versions [including 2 of "Down Boys"!]. For more info check out www.warrant.net

URBAN TALE - One Day I'll Make You Mine [Single, Tale Music]
Finnish band's single CD release. The track featured here [in long and radio edit versions] is of the classic 80s sugary power-ballad school. With a singer that reminds me instantly of Steve Perry, and in places of Jimi Jameson [Survivor]. The song is very much in the mold of the above mentioned bands as well, with a nice piano beginning, build up, harmonies, tasteful guitar, orchestrated keys, very memorable [despite the sappy punch-line]... Although these sorts of tracks may not be in style in some places on the globe [ie North America!], it is a very good and well produced song; much in the same vein as Uriah Heep's more recent version of Survivor's "Across The Miles". Me hopes these guys can produce equally as solid rockers as well! For more info check out www.saunalahti.fi/~pudas/urbantale

JETHRO TULL - J-Tull Dot Com / IAN ANDERSON - The Secret Language Of Birds [Fuel 2000]
Admittedly I ain't followed Tull much over the years, so I wasn't sure what to expect here. "Dot Com" starts out impressively with the upbeat "Spiral" that retains the feel of the classic Tull sound with a catchy hook and flute interplay. The title track kinda drifts off into a lightweight atmospheric piece, with a poppy chorus reminiscent of soft poppy 80s Brit stuff. Not until 'Hunt By Numbers" do things really pick up a good deal, and again this one retains the ole Tull feel, with some cool hammond thrown in as well.

Elsewhere Ian Anderson and company come up with various songs that make this overall kinda lightweight, although definitely unique, coming off like a cultural experience, with tribal influences, lots of flutes and accordion.. I always thought Jethro Tull was something of a heavier rock band, now I just don't know!... Me wishes there were a few more tracks more along the lines of the opener. Ian Anderson's latest solo album is definitely a departure from the newest Tull. "The Secret Language Of Birds" being a most interesting collection of acoustic tracks, with plenty of Anderson's flute and some guests on a few tracks, no big drums here, no rockers! This is one of those discs that is really for special listening moments I suppose. Plenty of Celtic melodies, tribal beats, poetic lyrics, and Anderson's distinctive voice. If you like the lighter Tull stuff and/or just Anderson's voice and poetry, you'll dig this, other than that, really for special tastes. PS> Beautiful packaging, with interesting track notes. For more info check out www.j-tull.com

PLATYPUS - Ice Cycles [InsideOut]
The 2nd disc from this , err 'supergroup' [ha ha] featuring a few guys from Dream Theater, Derek Sherinian [keys], and Ty tabor [Kings X]. Where the band's debut album geered more towards classic rock influences of Deep Purple, Kansas, and Heep,.... this 2nd disc is a bit more laid back and slower paced, taking on more alternative tones in places [note the boring and seemingly never ending "Cry"!]. In fact they really don't rock until the 6th track "25" [an instrumental], and even then Sherinian's synth breaks seem to wreck what could be the 1 great rock tune on the disc! The band also do the big 10 and a half minute aimless prog piece titled "Partial To The Bean" [broken up into 7 mini-titles, most using 'Yoko' in them]. Here's hoping the band revert back to the more upbeat styles of the debut in the future.

JUNKYARD - Shut Up, We're Tryin To Practice [Cleopatra]
No idea who these guys are [1 out of 10 for packaging! plus I can't find the bio!]... Regardless, for the most part Junkyard's live set from The Palace in Hollywood is tough to take. The band is an all out rough guitar, riff, screaming vocals, and fast drums gritty hard rock band. The vocals are painful for the most part, with this guy sounding like a cross between Axl Rose and the annoying guy from The Black Crowes; hard to follow or decipher, and the CD leaves all the goofy between song commentary in. The band rock out on a version of Ray Charles "Hallelujah, I Love Her", while managing to butcher ZZ Top's "Tush" for the encore. Elsewhere some of this may appeal to those who are simply looking for some rough edged, dirty guitar rock to party to.

MOLLY HATCHET - Live At The Agora, Atlanta : '79
Molly Hatchet were one of the great Southern Rock bands to come out of the 70s rock scene, like Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Hatchet being a bit more metalized and boogie than their contemporaries, and perhaps less diverse, and historically perhaps less commercially successful [at least than Skynyrd!]. This performance comes from the band's first national tour, following the recording of the band's 2nd LP "Flirtin With Disaster", thus drawing on merely the first 2 albums, and adding a rendition of the Robert Johnson blues standard "Crossroads", Jimmie Rodgers "T For Texas", and the obligatory southern band jam in the 12 minute "Harp Jam". Oddly omitted this night was perhaps the band's biggest known song "Flirtin With Disaster"; yet still there's a number of the classics here such as "Bounty Hunter", "Gator County", "The Creeper", and the Greg Allman penned "Dreams I'll Never See". The band sounds in fine form and to be having a good time, and the sound is very good [taken from radio tapes]. Danny Joe Brown's vocals are a bit low in the mix at times, but for the most part his distinctive southern voice comes off strong; especially on the encore [disc closer] "Boogie No More". If you're into Southern rock at all, Molly Hatchet were one of the essential bands of the era, and this disc captures the band early on - energetic and boogyin'. The band is still recording and touring to this day, albeit with No original members! [Huh!?] For more info on the band check out www.mollyhatchet.com

SAMMY HAGAR - Ten 13 [Cabo Wabo / Beyond]
After 2 post Van Halen albums which saw Sammy trying his best to be hip, Hagar has taken the advice of many o' fans and returned to his roots as a rocker. Tracks like "Let Sally Drive", "Ten 13", and "3 In The Middle" all hark back to the early 80s hard riff rock of 'Standing Hampton', while "The Message" could have fit nicely as a heavy Van Halen track 10 years ago, and the more pop oriented "Deeper Kinda Love" has the feel of the '3 Lock Box' era.

STREET LEGAL -Thunderdome [Frontiers]
I've heard some good new bands in recent times [ie Norway, Slice Of Lemon, ...], but these guys probably take first prize if I were to choose a best new band! Hailing from Norway, these guys draw influences from such classic bands as UFO, Whitesnake, and Thin Lizzy - soundwise and vocally. The lead off and title track is a classic heavy, thundering rocker very reminiscent of Thin Lizzy at their best. Being a trio, Street Legal use guest keyboard players sparingly and in good style. Big rockers like "Shadow Dance" , "Wrong Side Of Town" [my fave track here!], and "Stranger In The Night" are all big on guitar, memorable riffs, melodies, underlying hammond, and big drums. More melodic numbers like "Chasing The Rainbow" and "Powertool" are each unique with Schenker and Van Halen guitar influences, the latter featuring a killer intro before the verse comes in with a lighter pop tone, and then builds up to a big chorus -- classic! [Nice hammond here too!] The band also throw in 2 of the most distinctive ballads I've heard in eons, "Calling To You" - which starts on acoustic guitar with light drums, harmonies, and then builds up to a heavier chorus, and a classy guitar solo [shades of Neil Schon]; the 2nd ballad being a simple string and harmony song titled "Shine On". Very highly recommended!! For more info check out www.streetlegal.no

MICHAEL NITRO - Counting The Days [Seymour]
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Michael Nitro is [apparently] a guy who's been on the scene for some time. Drawing on ideas anywhere from the simple riff rock of early Alice Cooper, to the countrified title track and on to motown inspired funk numbers like "Get A Life" [this guy cites Stevie Wonder as a big influence, amongst others] and "I'm Ready". Best picks here [IMO] would be the slightly southern acoustic based track "Catalina Song" and [more so] the hard blues rock riff of "Hell's Train", which is followed up with the simple acoustic ballad "Belgium". A decent collection of songs, that make it near impossible to classify this guy. Vocally good, tho' I'm stuck for comparisons; a solid blues/rock/folk type of voice tho. For more info check out www.michaelnitro.com

400 HORSES - 4000 Horses [A2]
New British band hailing from Birmingham with the old time approach of straight ahead gritty rock played in fun mode. The band makes use of brass on a few tracks, and plenty of neat hooks and riffs giving them an appeal of Aerosmith, AC/DC, 70s Kiss, and even the Stones. Lead off track "Guilty As Sin" could easily pass for a late 80s Aerosmith rocker. The upbeat "Over And Done" which features brass, harmonies, and a catchy hook [reminiscent of old Kiss IMO] is another memorable tune; and the disc's closing track is "Don't Give A Damn" - a light minded party anthem, with a cool guitar break [vocally and musically this one reminds me of heavier Lenny Kravitz!]. Overall a decent disc of guitar based rockers, not earth-shattering heavy, as it borders on that Aerosmith party style for the most part. Some excellent tunes, tho' lacking in that one killer stand-out that'll wanna make me keep going back. Worth checking out for fans of the above mentioned bands, despite clocking in at under 40 minutes, and skimpy packaging! I'd imagine these guys are a decent live act too.

STEVE WALSH - Glossololia [Magna Carta]
So, here Kansas man Steve Walsh teams up with modern progster Trent Gardner, and what could be a classic rock masterpiece we gets Walsh [in parts] being a product of someone's prog producing training. A few really painful cuts like the lead off heavy title track and the techno goofiness of "Heart Attack", as well as a few other moments of 'talk', and techno babble. But all is not lost, if you like Walsh's voice [and I Do!], you'll dig plenty here, particularly lighter cuts like "Nothing" and the beginning of "Haunted Man' where Walsh sounds like Don Henley [Not crazy 'bout the music beyond that tho']. Classic cuts include the 10 minute dramatic "Smackin The Clowns", which features lighter moments, a heavy build up, hammond, and acoustics. The closing cut "Rebecca" also stands out musically, with a great vocal, slower pace, haunting backing vox, and tasteful guitar [Mike Slamer does a good job throughout this disc]. Definitely a grower, once ya get beyond the techno crap. For more info check out www.magnacarta.net

LOTUS - Quartet Conspiracy [Record Heaven]
Swedish band, now on their 3rd release and have added former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson as a full-time member and producer. The band's influences include such 70s heavy bands qas Cactus, Mountain, Captain Beyond, and also [likely] Black Sabbath! The band's sound of heavy Sabbathy riffs, and heavy drum sound [ala Bonham in places] give them a big 70s style, yet with a refreshing enough sound and songs that make Lotus a modern metal band. Tracks like the opener "Eyeball", which is based on a heavy chugging riff, and rides on the lead slide guitar work and heavy rhythm section. This disc is full of heavy guitar power rockers like "Puzzle Of Confusion", "Great Favorite Star", the darker "Piece In Mind" [featuring John Norum on guitar!], and the Mountain heavy "Sometimes A Mule, Always A Dog". Quartet Conspiracy only barely lets up on the ballad [and single] "Butterfly Effect" [features some tasty piano and orchestra arrangements by Robertson, as well as slide guitar], and the unique 70s darkness of "Genetic Jesus" with Floydian like backing vox, a heavy Sabbathy riff, hammond, and the coolest guitar break on the album. Niklas Borjesson's vocal work is solid throughout, perfectly fitting the band's heavy approach. Very good heavy hard rock, that will appeal definitely to fans of Sabbath, Captain Beyond, Lizzy, and other guitar heavy classic bands. For more info check out www.recordheaven.net

SOUL ANGEL - Demo [Brain Storm]
North Carolina based band of veteran musicians who are preparing to release a full CD early in 2001. This being a 3 track demo to give a sample of what's to come. The band list numerous influences, anywhere from Alice Cooper, to Robin Trower, Todd Rundgren, the Beatles, and various others. The lead off track is "Long Shot", and easily the favorite and most promising here. It's an upbeat classic rocker, which begins in Pink Floydian style, and then reminds me of mid 70s Heep, with a nice melody, hammond, and a brilliant guitar solo reminiscent of Mick Box and Robin Trower in places. The synths & hammond give this one a powerful 70s flavor, with a blues edged vocal from Mack Avent.

The 2nd track I am not as crazy about; "Too Close To The Fire" is a pop/rocker in the vein of Traveling Willburys or even lighter Bad Company at times. It retains the hammond and the chorus is fine, but definitely could be heavier [yet a decent guitar solo though!], and the vocal seems a bit out of place. Last up is the band's title track. It starts out promising with a big 70s build up intro [hammond and all!] that is reminiscent of the old Heep style, and the hammond remains a vital part of the song. The acoustic guitar comes in for the verse[s], before it picks up for the chorus with heavier guitar and heavier hammond. Soul Angel is a promising act for fans of 70s classic stuff, just wish they'd be heavier all the way through and lose a bit of the country-folk influences. The hammond and guitar work is outstanding, as is the rhythm section is strong. Vocals could be perhaps mixed a bit better, or higher, but surely something to watch for. For more info check out www.soulangelonline.homestead.com

TEN - Babylon [Frontiers]
The new studio disc from UK singer/songwriter/producer Gary Hughes is even a step up on the fairly impressive "Spellbound" release. Here a bit heavier, Ten revolve "Babylon" on a story in the future [2999 AD!], where the world is divided into Zones and Domes. With a short list of characters, Hughes and company [including guitarist Vinny Burns and new addition - keyboardist : Don Airey!] present one excellent rock album and story to boot. With classic rock influenced hard rock in the vein of Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and more AOR influences like Foreigner, Babylon as a story based disc is excellent, as well as having some stand-out tracks in it such as the 2 lead off cuts - "The Stranger" and "Barricade". The Whitesnake sounding heavy ballad "Give In This Time", where Hughes delivers a very nice vocal in the school of Lou Gramm, while on the next heavy track "Love Became The Law" he comes off more of a bluesy Coverdale.

Great guitar work by Vinny Burns throughout [neat Zeppelin influenced intro to "Timeless"], and the addition of Airey on keys is cool, with some decent piano moments and use of hammond in places. Closes beautifully with the epic ballad "Valentine", which features a lengthy piano vocal section, then kicks in with some big heavy guitars, and one spectacular vocal performance before coming back to rest on the piano. Well worth checking out!! Hughes is a very appealing vocalist along the likes of Coverdale, Gramm, and Paul Rodgers, and with Babylon being heavier than your average AOR/HR band I think this will appeal to quite an audience of classic rock and '80s hard rockers alike. For more info check out www.ten-online.com OR write to the Ten Fan Club : 12 Normanby Street; Pemberton, Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 8BS, UK.

Copyright - KJJ, Sept 2000.Interview, Sept 2000.

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