The history of TIMMY goes way back to the mid-60s when the members started playing music. This mini-album titled 'The Atlanta Project' was recorded back in 1984. The band recorded the 4 songs on this album along with guest bassist Andy West of "The Dixie Dregs", and producer Eddy Offord, YES, POLICE, ELP). Although their musical influences also come from these bands, I can't hear much of a similarity, because this band is pure early 80s AOR/Pomprock that reminds me of bands like SYNCH, LE ROUX, RATHSKELLER, THRILLS…

So basically you get a lot of wonderful keyboards (the band has two members who playing keyboards and singing), super melodic harmonyvocals, catchy hooklines all over the place, superb memorable choruses, sharp guitar riffs and this is all packed in a radio-format early 80s typed rocksound. I still can't believe in all those years nobody has ever mentioned this TIMMY, because the 4 songs of this mini record all really superb pure Classic 80s AOR/Pomp tunes from a very high quality.

The CD starts with "Nuclear affair", a fantastic pure 80s uptempo classic AOR tune that basically contains everything you need to hear (keys, harmonies, hooklines, chorus). The song can easily be compared to the likes of THRILLS, SYNCH, DAKOTA, and THRILLS. In the exact same style is also the next tune "Baby lady". Then we get to hear "Broadway Hollywood", another classy 80s AOR tune that is a bit more in the style of FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS, ALLIANCE (1982)…

And also closing track "Back up slow down" has that feeling, a totally classy early 80s AOR sound. I can easily add it a couple more times that you need to get a copy of this record a.s.a.p. This CD only has 4 tracks, but they are a dream come true for anyone that likes that good old early 80s polished AOR/Pomp/Radio-rocksound of mentioned bands.

Originally recorded in 1984, but now finally it has seen the light of day on CD by the label Rudolf Music (http://www.rudolfmusic.com) You can download some of the songs through their website and also via the website of TIMMY at: http://www.abrown.com/timmy.htm and http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/17/timmy.html The story ain't over yet for TIMMY, because there will be lots more releases of their music in the near future, so also more reviews on this site. For now, also read the review below of the band EYE which is the follow-up band to TIMMY.

Rating: 9,5/10

EYE released an album in 1989 through Eternal Youth Enterprises. EYE featured all members from TIMMY, except bassist Andy West. I haven't mentioned the line-up and I thought I would give it to you right now. The line-up of EYE is as follows: John Harrison - Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Peter Penhallow - Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Don MacLeod - Guitar, Vocals and Paul Chatterton - Drums. This is the same line-up as on the TIMMY record, except bassist Andy West, but he is now one of the additional musicians. Musically nothing has changed and so we get to hear again brilliant classy 80s AOR. I believe this
album has not been re-released, so I am actually discussing an album from 1989 and so this should have been a review for the Classic AOR page. Nevertheless I have also put it on our recent reviewspage, so nobody is missing this review.

There are 11 songs on the album and is has been produced very well by the band and Greg Schnitzer. Opener "I'm after you" has the classy 80s AOR sound written all over. This fantastic uptempo AOR song bares similarities to bands like SYNCH, FORTUNE
(1985), THE INNOCENT, SURVIVOR, LE ROUX, JOURNEY… Just listen to those wonderful keys and harmonyvocals, this is simply AOR HEAVEN! Next track "The hero is dead" is a bit weak midtempo poprocker that is not really something special. Following track "Under the weather" takes us right back into Classic 80s AOR and is in the exact same style as LE ROUX, SYNCH and RATHSKELLER. This song has wonderful harmonies, hooklines and a great melodic guitarsolo.

"Big boy - Get with it" follows and is nice AOR/Radiorock, kinda like JOURNEY. Another Classic 80s AOR tune follows, this song is called "Baby lady" and yes it is the same song TIMMY (see above review) recorded a few years earlier. Again classy 80s AOR can be heard in the next song "Honestly lovely", but this song is not so sensational, still a catchy tune in the old THRILLS style.

The next two tracks ("It might rain" and "Nuclear affair") are both superb classic 80s AOR tunes, and I can't say it enough, but these songs are really a must for the die-hard AOR fans of bands like SYNCH, RATHSKELLER, WINTERS REIGN… "Right time, right place" follows, a great 80s AOR tune (yes again!) a la DAKOTA, SYNCH…

"You don't know me" is up next and just like the rest of this wonderful CD also this song is classic 80s AOR, this one though reminds me a lot of THE AUTOMATIX (the MCA recording band). The closing track of this Classic AOR masterpiece is one of the few weaker songs. The final track is called "Reddi Freddi" and this is a weak 70s styled Rock'n'Roll tune like TED NUGENT would have done perhaps, but the song has nothing to do with the style of the other songs.

My only conclusion is that if you like that typical early 80s Classic AOR/Radiorock sound of bands such as RATHSKELLER, SYNCH, DAKOTA, THRILLS, LE ROUX… then you will love this EYE. I don't know if the CD is available anymore, but try at least e-mailing the band at: abs@abrown.com and visit the website of TIMMY (which is the same band) at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/17/timmy.html Very soon an interview with these guys, because this band can not be ignored any longer.

Rating: 9/10

The Classic AOR debut album of STAN BUSH has finally been re-issued on to CD, it's about time! I still rate this record very high and find it one of Stan's best records. Especially side-A (now the first five songs on the CD) featured some brilliant early 80s Classic AOR/Radiorock, in the exact same style as early 80s acts such as PREVIEW, MICHAEL BOLTON (first two records), STAN MEISSNER, SURVIVOR… Just listen to songs such as "It's hot" (written in 1979, when Stan played in BOULDER), "Fire in my heart" (Classic AOR Rock at it's best), "Can't live without love" (very emotional Classic AOR Ballad), "Say the word" and "Love has taken me away" (you don't hear such catchy AOR choruses anymore, very much in the PREVIEW style).

You just fall in love with these songs and play them over and over again. A CD like this is perfect for the summer, because it sounds all very cheerful and easy. This is just superbly produced polished AOR/Radiorock in the best early 80s tradition. The second part of the CD is a little less sensational, but still great AOR. Scrap the LP off your want lists, because the STAN BUSH debut is now out on CD and anyone into Classic AOR should buy this CD without any doubts.

Rating: 9/10

I reviewed the advanced demo CDR of this album a long time ago and in the meantime Phil has recorded lots of new songs I believe. Nevertheless it is important to let you know that the 'Thunder in the east' CD of PHIL VINCENT has now officially been released by the American AOR label Songhaus Music. This is Phil's best CD, because the songs (and production) are just pure 80s AOR.

Songs like "Friend or foe", "Guilty", "Eye to eye", "Trying to lose you", "Fooling yourself" and "Forever and a day" are superb pure 80s typed AOR songs with lots of keys, harmonyvocals, hooklines and very catchy super melodic
choruses. This CD is a definite must for all fans of the 80s AOR of WHITE SISTER, ARC ANGEL mixed with the old DOKKEN. Get this CD as soon as possible!

Rating: 9,5/10

Two years ago I got the advanced promo tape of the second album of the AOR sensation FAITH NATION. I was blown away, because it was one of the best independent pure AOR records I heard in a long time. It took a long time for the band to release the CD on an independent label. There was talk of releasing it in Europe through Escape Music, but somehow this caused many problems with as result that the record never got released over here. In the USA the CD was released, but it was so hard to get that Songhaus Music has decided to re-release it.

So now finally everyone can enjoy this wonderful record of FAITH NATION, one of the best bands from the USA. 'Ordinary people' can not be missed by anyone who likes good-old fashioned AOR a la HARLAN CAGE, SURVIVOR and JOURNEY, yet with an own style for sure. My favourites were (and still are) "Love is an ocean" (superb Classic AOR Ballad), "How can I?", "Arms around the world" (with wonderful Pompous Keyboards), "On the water" and "Don't leave me now". I am glad Songhaus Music has re-released the CD, because this is a masterpiece that should be heard by everyone!

Rating: 9,5/10

SongHaus Music sent me a package including 4 CDs. 3 of them are Classic AOR masterpieces and now here's a review of album number four, the only non-AOR album from the 4 albums. It's the American BRITTON with their new album 'Alien romper room'. Do not confuse them with the Canadian BRITTON, although they play in the exact same style. BRITTON hasn't changed much happily and so we can again hear great 80s influenced American Melodic Hardrock with many good harmonyvocals, just like their previous efforts.

There are 11 songs on the album, from uptempo rockers to ballads and midtempo rockers, like a mix between DOKKEN, RATT and AUTOGRAPH. The best songs are the melodic rockers "Open your heart" (huge harmonies), "Alien romper room", "Angel" and "This won't hurt a bit" and the wonderful Melodic semi-ballad "Destiny finds us" (very calm, but super melodic). If you like that Arena/US Rock from the 80s, you'll love this band. More info on any of the SongHaus Music releases can be seen on their website at: http://www.songhausmusic.com

Rating: 8/10

MAX CHERRY is a band from Florida. They sent me a CDR which was called ‘A well kept secret’. The album features 8 songs and musically the band has a bit of an own sound which is quite melodic actually. There are no real uptempo rockers (except one song) and the sound I very updated and has some 90s influences. Happily the lead and harmonyvocals are very melodic and so this band is very radio-friendly. I have had a couple of similar sounding bands lately such as 2ND NATURE, MARICOPA HAZE… I really like this kind of melodic poprock.

The first song is “Watcha gonna do”, at first sight very 90s orientated, but later on the song develops into a great midtempo melodic rocker that sounds a little like FIORE. This opening tune is radio-ready and could turn out to a big hit if it is backed with some good promotion. The lead vocals of guitarist Justin Moore are very impressive. Next tune is “Radio song”, a slow calmer semi ballad that again has that 90s approach (so has the whole record), but still features some nice harmonies. Bands like NELSON and INNUENDO could’ve come up with a song like this.

“Save a prayer” follows and after a calm start, this song develops into a great melodic rocker in the NELSON/WINGER style. Next track “Redameer” is a good semi melodic rockballad. I really like the NELSON typed harmonyvocals in the semi melodic rocker “Glad you’re gone”. Following track “Sunday” is the only uptempo melodic poprocker on the album and actually a quite good one. The first weaker song is the 90s rocker “My way”. The CD closes nicely with “If you leave”. This final track is also the best song of the whole CD, because this semi melodic rocker has a great chorus. This is a band worth to check out at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/99/max_cherry.html

Rating: 7,5/10

This demo-CDR of SCOTT SUDBURY features 5 new tracks. He is still working on his new CD, but these songs give me an idea of how it will sound like. Not much has changed, only the line-up, because old SURVIVOR drummer Pete Mendillo played on the songs and Scott is also trying to get him into the band's line-up for a longer period.

Anyway, the new songs are quite good. "Good enough for me" opens the CDR and is a great pure early 80s melodic poprocker like SURVIVOR - 1980/81 meets EDDIE MONEY, very cool keyboards are being used! Next track "You'll come through" is a nice poprocker, a bit in the 70s style. Then comes the best song, "It must be you", another great uptempo melodic poprocker in the early 80s style of RICK SPRINGFIELD, including a very catchy beat and chorus.

"I've heard it all before" follows and is a nice semi melodic poprocker. Closing track of this CDR is "If you still loved me", a nice semi melodic rockballad. Scott is really doing a
great job and I look forward to an official CD release in the near future, in the meantime do check out his website at: http://www.scottsudbury.com

Rating: 8/10

It's been a while since I reviewed the demo tape of this American project formed around guitarist Jim Agnello. The new Demo CDR I got features 4 new songs by COLUMN A. The band has a new lead singer called Roy Pace, who has a very good voice. Musically it is a little less pure AOR than the debut demo tape. Nevertheless the 4 songs are sounding great and are very much reminding me of MARK SPIRO, BRETT WALKER and sometimes RICK SPRINGFIELD. First song is "Livin' proof", a nice lighter AOR/Poprocker in the early 80s style of RICK SPRINGFIELD, yet with an updated rocksound.

Next track is "My work here's not done", a nice midtempo AOR tune a la BRETT WALKER. The other two songs on the CDR are the best songs. These are "Begging you" and "Inherith the earth" (I believe both were also on the demo tape), both great calmer semi AOR ballads with very good lead vocals a la MARK SPIRO. This summer the band will hopefully release a full CD and I really look forward to that release. In the meantime, contact COLUMN A at: JAGNEL56@AOL.COM

Rating: 8,5/10

This ARK is a new project from Tore Ostby (CONCEPTION), John Macaluso (TNT, RIOT) and Jorn Lande (THE SNAKES). They have released a CD on the German label Rising Sun Records. Musically it hasn't much to do with the melodic hardrock of the member's bands. Opener "Burning down" for example is a very modern sounding rocker. The experimental rhythms of next track "Where the wind blows" also sounds very modern, but this song has a good melodic chorus in which some WHITESNAKE/TALISMAN influences shine through.

ARK is more like an experiment of these musicians who wanted to do something totally different than what they usually do. For example, "The hunchback of notre dame" is very experimental modern industrial influenced music which wouldn't have make any record of RIOT, TNT, CONCEPTION or THE SNAKES. The same goes for "Singers at the world's dawn", songs like these are the opposite of the melodic rockstyle. I can not recommend this one to Melodic Rockfans, but also fans of TNT, RIOT and CONCEPTION need to pass on this record, unless you want to hear a totally different sounding.

Rating: -

LEFAY has just released its third CD. The band's music hasn't changed much and so again we can hear very heavy Progressive Metal with some elements of Thrash/Speed Metal from the 80s. This CD is way too heavy for most Melodic Rockfans, but if you like that heavy guitarsound from the 80s (think of bands like XENTRIX, VOIVOD) and screaming
vocals, then you might get into LEFAY's music. More info at the band's label's website at: http://www.noiserecords.com

Rating: -

FRANK KRISTOFFERSEN is another multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Norway, but now lives in Canada where he has learned all his music capabilities he now has achieved. His CD 'The lessons I have learned' sums up everything he has learned through the years and takes us into a musical trip in the life of Frank. There are 12 songs on the album, which was well produced by Frank himself. The music is very 90s orientated, while still holding the 80s melodies tight and every now and then he is even playing that good old 80s rock'n'roll.

The start is pretty nice with the songs "I'd love to get my hands on you" (melodic poprocker) and "Love" (semi ballad in the BON JOVI style). The next couple of tunes are a bit much 90s orientated and are therefore perfectly suitable for radio-airplay. I rather hear some more songs like "Thinking of her". This is definitely the best track of the whole CD. "Thinking of her" is a very good uptempo 80s typed melodic poprocker like BRYAN ADAMS and RICK SPRINGFIELD in their 80s days. The song sounds very cheerful, straight-ahead with tight harmonies. A few more songs in this style on a future CD would be very interesting.

After this song, Frank moves again in a very 90s orientated pop/rocksound on songs like "Lessons" and "Shaggy town" that sound very much like the last RICK SPRINGFIELD album titled 'Karma'. If you like both 80s and 90s melodic pop/rock, then you need to check out Frank's CD at: http://www.mp3.com/frankk

Rating: 6,5/10

Ahh this is just what the Japanese like, a live album from one of my favourite progressive bands, Spock's Beard. This album (their second live album) runs in at a total of 50 minutes 18 seconds and runs into six tracks which were recorded live in Tilburg, Holland in September last year.

The sound is clear and the musicianship as always is very tight and powerful, most of the songs are pulled from the recent "Day For Night" album , we get to hear the brilliant "Day For Night", "Skin", "Gibberish" this song is so technically wondrous, it amazes me how they can do it live as it must be very difficult to play as "Gibberish" has so many complexed melodies, the 20 minute work out of "The Healing Colors Of Sound" gets a good crowd reaction and watching them perform this song live must be totally mindblowing.

A song called "Mouth Of Madness" is lifted from the underrated "The Kindness Of Strangers" album, and the band also include the excellent "June" which is also from "T.K.O.S." album, the crowd know all the lyrics to this song and singalong to their hearts
content, it's brilliant and Neal Morse sings with a brilliant range like a mixtures of Gary Cherone and Danny Bowes from THUNDER, this is a peaceful ballad and I can't wait to hear a studio version of this awesome song.

Live Spock's Beard are simply a treat, everything works live as it does on record , the songs all stand up and the band sound as if they are really having a blast, godamn it I'm gutted I couldn't get tickets for their gigs with Dream Theater now, that'll teach me. I'll be there down the frontrow next time for sure.

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

If you still miss LA GUNS, then Wisconsin rockers Mercy Child may have enough edge to fill your craving for the much missed rockers.

But Mercy Child are also far more melodic than LA GUNS and lean into a bone crunching guitar attack of eighties METALLICA and even ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION. This cd contains a batch of five songs that all sit nicely next to each other, you want guitars, you got it, you want sleaze, you got it, you wannna rock well you can have
that too, as Mercy Child have alot to offer, but also alot to learn and need to get themselves into a studio that can really polish up their sound. Until then you can contact the band at their website http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Basement/7180/main.htm or email them at atomicmayhem@yahoo.com and if you ask nicely they may send you a cd. Mercy Child are cool and I think that this is only the beginning of great things from this band.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

I've been meaning to review this album for sometime, but due to the fact that various friends kept on borrowing it time never seemed to allow me to achieve this up until now. Cut Throat are from California and this album rocks big time, it has a killer production and the songs are fast and hard hitting.

The band are constantly working hard and have developed themselves into a killing live outlet and are getting asked to open for many of the bigger bands. What you have is ten songs of classic late eighties heavy metal and hard rock like SKID ROW, WINGER, SPREAD EAGLE, EROTIC SUICIDE, GUNS N' ROSES, THE ALMIGHTY and BON JOVI (Slippery When Wet circa 1986).

SKID ROW though would be the obvious comparison, the songs are almost a copy of da skids' "Slave To The Grind" album, this is seriously kick arse stuff, best songs are "So Far Down", "Lock Me Up", "Shallow Grave" and "Took It Away" all of which rock with the best of 'em.

This band mean it and if this style of music has any future then it's going to be CUT THROAT who will gain themselves the fame and glory that beckons them. Someone sign 'em fast!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

http://members.aol.com/cthroatgtr

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Nicky Baldrian)

Canny chap, John Kalodner. He gets his Portrait imprint off to a solid start with a roster of veterans such as Ratt, Great White, and Cinderella, then having established a firm grounding, launches the first new Portrait band, Mars Electric- great name-onto the market.Looking like Orgy after fashion tips from mid-1970's Freddie Mercury, and with vocalist Jacob Bunton looking like a glam Eric Martin, you might be forgiven for expecting a fad-obsessed right-on indie whine fest. No way, amigos. This is prime-time stadium rock, stripped of all the oft-visited cliches, blessed with technical awareness but with fire and awareness in it's make-up tray.

Opener, "Someday" is a lippy Nelson, with Harry Hess meets a metal Julian Cope
vocals from Bunton, and a hook that makes itself very much at home in the old memory banks. Brilliant! And then "Another day(on top of the world)", with it's wry lyrics, sweeping string arrangements, and it's skycraping chorus is probably the ballad of this year, last year, and next year! "Far Away" is a convertible on a black-lane highway sort of song, with a classic solo from guitarist Chris Simmons, and Eagles gone snotty harmonies. It makes the listener feel so good!

We've all been waiting for the one band to help turn things around, and with the backing of Kalodner's acumen. Mars Electric is that band. Granted they do not look like Firehouse circa 1990, but they look good in their own terms, and once past the look, you will discover a great stadium band with it's eye firmly fixed on tomorrow.If you do not like this album, you should be locked away with only your copy of "Slippery when Wet" and your yellowing
"New Jersey" posters for company. Essential.

Rating: 9,5/10 (Review by Andrew Paul)