SIMONE GAGLIARDI can be added to the growing list of Italian AOR acts. In the past we had BRUNO ROCK, DHAMM, ORO, HEAVENS TOUCH, GIANNI SIRAGUSA and a couple more. Now there's the vocalist Simone Gagliardi. I believe he doesn't play any instruments, but his music sure rocks. Like many Italian acts, also Simone is singing in
his own language. Musically it is pretty much pure AOR/Melodic Rock that reminds me of CODA, STAN BUSH and SURVIVOR at times.

There are 9 songs on the CD, although opener "T.V." is featured twice on the CD. Nevertheless, this opening tune really rocks hard. This is a lovely uptempo classy 80s AOR/Melodic Rocker a la CODA, a very catchy sound right from the start. A promising start and happily the CD develops in the same style, although less rocking. Next track "Prenditi L'anima" is a wonderful AOR ballad with some great piano-keys and very melodic 80s guitars too. This sensational AOR song sounds like a cross between SURVIVOR and STAN BUSH (yet with Italian lyrics of course). Then there's the semi instrumental melodic rocker "Percorso oscuro".

The sax in "Ancora una volta" is disturbing the song a little, but still this is a nice uptempo lighter AOR/Rocksong with a very fine chorus. Simone is at his best during the ballads, because the 80s sounding Power AOR ballad "E penso a te" is one of the best songs on the CD. Cheerful uptempo melodic rock can be heard in the next tune "Giu le mani". Yet another great AOR ballad is "Ciao" which is more sounding like the late 80s US Mainstream sound of acts like FIREHOUSE, DAMN YANKEES, BON JOVI…

The CD continues with "Storia di un amico", a nice semi melodic rocker. The CD closes with a live piano-version of opener "T.V.". So, this is another interesting AOR rocker from Italy to check out. More info can be found at: http://stage.vitaminic.it/simone_gagliardi and e-mail him at: totogatti@qualitex.it

Rating: 8/10

'Secrets of anthology' is the tenth CD of LANA LANE, who is called the queen of Symphonic Rock. I have to admit that almost every album is a masterpiece, but I doubt if I would call all her material Symphonic Rock, because (happily) many songs can easily be labelled as pure AOR/Melodic Rocksongs. Also her new CD is filled with both AOR/Melodic Rocksongs and Symphonic Rocksongs. And again sounds very melodic as always.

My favourite tracks are "Raining" (great uptempo Progressive AOR/Melodic Rock, very catchy AOR chorus, melodic guitarsound and a cool keyboardsolo), "Long winter
dreams" (superb melodies in this song, really wonderful pure AOR), "Secrets of astrology" (midtempo Symphonic melodic rocker), "Alexandria" (semi ballad), "Under the sun" (nice ballad) and "Asherah" (cool keys, good slowtempo melodic rocker).

Most of the rest of the CD is more leaning towards Progressive Rock, but still quite enjoyable to hear. The only song in which LANA LANE is stepping away from the usual style she does, is the song "Speed of sound", a very heavy fast Progressive Metal song. Anyone that likes LANA LANE earlier records will totally love this new one. Now we can wait for album number eleven!

Rating: 8/10

This is the second CD of the German Progressive Metal band IVORY TOWER. I remember that their debut was pretty heavy, but that's about 18 months ago and I have heard so many new stuff since then, I can't be sure of it. What I do know is that their new CD is actually very melodic. The first 3 songs are a bit weaker and heavier Progressive songs, also very long. Still they are melodic too of course, kinda like STRATOVARIUS, but probably too heavy, too many high pitched vocals and progressive for the melodic rockfans.

From track four on, the CD is turning into a very nice melodic rock orientated album. For example, "Game of life" is a great ballad with some very nice keys and melodic vocals, this wouldn't 'be out of place on a standard melodic rockalbum. And the songs "Peeping Tom", "Beyond the stars" and "Flight into the shelf" are pretty good melodic rockers with very nice choruses. The CD closes with the Progressive semi ballad "Treehouse". A fine release by IVORY TOWER and not only recommended to Progressive fans, also Melodic Rockfans should check this one out.

Rating: 8/10

This American band comes out of Aberdeen, Washington and they can not be described as a pure 80s typed AOR/Melodic Rockband, because their material features a much more Progressive Rocksound with 90s influences as well. Nevertheless, the band has been influenced by acts like STYX, BOSTON, JOURNEY, VAN HALEN… and you can still hear these 80s typed melodies through their songs. The band has actually created an own style that is hard to compare to any other band.

There are 14 songs on their CD. My favourites are "Imaginary friends" (great semi melodic rocker, slightly progressive, very good lead vocals and a wonderful sound quality), "Started shaking" (semi melodic rockballad, 90s influenced, but still 80s melodies), "Okay today" (semi melodic rocker with use of acoustic guitars, kinda like NELSON, JON BON JOVI, EXTREME…), "Lonely angel" (acoustic ballad with great melodic lead vocals from singer Russell Wilson) and "Sheena" (another acoustic melodic ballad).

Though I haven't mentioned yet the best song of the whole CD which is the closing track of 'What?'. This song is called "Diamond in the rough" and is a fantastic melodic 80s typed Arena AOR rocker with a huge chorus. This final track is totally different than the rest of the CD and shows a very melodic AOR orientated side of PLASTIC SMILE. The song reminds me of bands such as SAVANNAH and RESTLESS.

It would be great if the band could write some more songs in this style for future releases. Anyway, PLASTIC SMILE is a band worth to check out, because their songs sound very professional and capture some great melodies. Only don't expect a pure AOR/Melodic rockband here… more info at: http://www.plasticsmile.com and e-mail them at: jenandty@techline.com

Rating: 7,5/10

Kincaid are from Tennessee, and their debut album led by guitarist Bill Kincaid and vocalist Tron Luttrell is a treasure trove of mid eighties hard rock, with the title track "Can't Fight The Need" paving the way in the tradition on JOURNEY, SAMMY HAGAR, JIMMY BARNES, PRIOR PARK, AEROSMITH, BAD COMPANY, TORONTO etc.. Tron's voice is smooth like STEVE PERRY and husky like JIMMY BARNES and SAMMY HAGAR, whilst Bill churns out some cranky lead, like on "I Really Want You To Stay" a'la SAMMY HAGAR, and the the catchy "Don't Cha Wanna Dance" (pre Escape circa
JOURNEY).

This is an excellent album full of fantastic songs like "I'm Coming Home"and my favourite song "What You Say Girl" that get you singing along by the second play, topped with a decent production KINCAID should have no problems what so ever in catching the eyes of Joe public. Interview with the band on Friday.

Email: KncaidBand@aol.com

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Mostly Autumn are a British progressive band from York, England. Musically I can safely compare this band to SPOCK'S BEARD, LANA LANE, TORI AMOS, MARILLION, JANE FALLON, YES, GENESIS and loads more. The great thing about Mostly Autumn is their vast amount of musical enlightenment, there is so much music happening on both
these albums that you will either be left cold and bored to death or totally enthralled at the deep musical passages such as the beautiful arrangments on "The Last Climb", this song is very tender, the sound of birds tweeting away expands this song into a beautiful and caring piece of musical genius, which leads into the pompous "Heroes Never Die".

One of Mosty Autumns most thrilling tracks is "Folklore", this has some nice Irish influences and is very very inspiring, this could have been used in the Mel Gibson film "Braveheart" or even the film "High Spirits", it reminds me of THE CORRS a bit, and is very entertaining. The duet "Boundless Ocean" makes use of the flute which is played elegantly by Angela Goldthorpe, this is a very good ballad.

Much of the same is heard on the bands next album "The Spirit Of Autumn Past", this is features thirteen track with the best of the bunch being "Pieces Of love" floats around the room and is a moody piece led with some beautifull LANA LANE equisite vocals, also well cool is "Shindig", this has some more celtic influences and feature some superb melodies to die for."The Spirit Of Autumn Past (part1 and 2)" are superb and send the shivers right down your spine, the guitar playing reminds me of ERIC CLAPTON and in particular his music in the LETHAL WEAPON movies, in fact as the song progresses vocalist Bryan Josh reminds of STING. Overall both these albums come highly recommended, watch out for an interview with Mostly Autumn soon.

email jean@mostly-autumn.demon.co

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

There is not very much that one can write about this singer/songwriter which has not been written before. Almost two years have gone by since Bush and the semi legendary Barrage revamped themselves into gear for the excellent Frontiers/Now And Then release "Heaven", and his storming appearance at the gods festival last year was enough to make any self respecting AOR devotee foam at the mouth in sheer awe!!

So it was only a matter of time before this album that was originally released on columbia records in 1983 was to get the full CD reissue, and it's thanks to those wonderful people at Song Haus who have given Stan Bush's debut golden gem a new lease of life. Song Haus Music's reputation is fast becoming an essential part of todays melodic rock and AOR market with recent fantastic releases from the incredible Phil Vincent, Thrills, Faith Nation, Britton etc...

One of the nicest things about this album is that it hasn't faded with time. It still sounds totally brilliant and totally fresh and much like Michael Bolton's "Everybody's Crazy" album and with the recent comeback of Survivor it really does seem as if AOR is making a strong comeback, and it's only a matter of time before one of these bands makes the all important big jump into supernova stardom, this album is full of great uptempo catchy hard rock and pure AOR songs like excellent double attack of "All American Boy"and "Keep Your Love Alive", both songs are typical Bush penned material, but considering that this material is unbelievably seventeen years old, one can only marvel in Bush's magic as each song bursts out of the speaker and latches on to your ears forcing you to singalong, imagine what could have happened if BON JOVI had not come along, surely after all these years of hard graft Bush deserves a break?

Other great songs are "Love Has Taken Me Away", a synthesizer led song that sits very nicely along side SURVIVOR, the ballad "Time Isn't Changing You" is a massive gutwrenching tearjerker, just listen to Stan's voice on this song, a jaw dropping gorgeous song to tear your hair out over. "Round And Round" is another cool song, very uptempo and catchy, and perhaps a song that would be suited to both BARRAGE albums.

Overall this album is simply a must have, beg, steal, borrow, or sell your grandmothers false teeth, just don't miss out on this amazing and classic album from one of the most highly respected artists in the whole music buisness.

http://www.songhausmusic.com

Rating: 10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Let me introduce you all to a happening new hard rock band called Zak Daniels And The One Eyed Snakes. At first glance one could be forgiven for being put off due to the ridiculous band name, but when you put the disc into your boom box you are greated with a satisfying meal of hard rock heaven that bares similarities to TED NUGENT, MICHAEL MONROE, JOE SATRIANI, HENDRIX, MOTLEY CRUE, TORA TORA, AEROSMITH, SAMMY HAGAR, GUNS N' ROSES, GREAT WHITE and RATT, and everything falls simply into place.

Z.D.A.T.O.E.S are from California and feature Zak Daniels - vocals, guitars, harmonica, Jim "KAT" Katsikidies - lead guitars, Doug Lavery - drums and Jack Thiel on cyber space bass guitar, the album has been given a fat production sound by Zakulu and the Katman, the fifteen songs on offer are immensily

catchy, I actually found it quite hard to choose a favourite song as they all have their own identity, my favorites are currently "Highway 61 Revisited", "Tired Of Your Love", "Getting Ready For The Kill", "Womanizer", "Fast Ones" and "TV Re-Run". The afforementioned "Highway 61 Revisited" has a strong boogie feel ,a bit like a good rocking AEROSMITH tune filled with pleanty of swagger, the guitar work on this track is very much like JOE SATRIANI, I actually ended up putting "Highway 61" on to a compilation tape, it's a fantastic song and defintley the albums best track. BOB DYLAN originally wrote this song, but Zak and co have given it a breath of fresh air.

Onto the other songs, "Getting Ready For The Kill", is quite cool, and has some SLASH style guitar playing, the song starts sounding a bit like MICHAEL MONROE, and reminds me a little bit of DAVID LEE ROTH's "Sensible Shoes",

"Womaizer" is pure AEROSMITH, "Tired Of Your Love" is another of the albums killer cuts, this sounds like a funky southern boogie mix of GUNS N' ROSES, TED NUGENT and MICHAEL MONROE, a great song that stomps along into a very
catchy rhythm.

"Fast Ones", reminds me of AEROSMITH, RATT, MICHAEL MONROE and steals the riff from GUNS N' ROSES "You Could Be Mine", and "TV Re-run" is pure MICHAEL MONROE. This is a great album filled to the brim with good time hard rock music. RECOMMENDED.

Email: 1eye@thegrid.net or visit their website http://www.thegrid.net/1eye

Rating: 8,5/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)