DREAMER - WE GOT THE POWER (2008, AOR-FM RECORDS)
Grady Smith - vocals
Mark Moulin - lead guitar
Tom Slack - keyboards
Steve Elowe - rhythm guitars, vocals
Doug Lunn - bass
Larry Dent - drums

Background
Previously, Dreamer were featured in a review of their rare 4 track EP from 1982 on this website. As a result of reading that article, the band's former manager and confidante Mike McNulty, contacted us, saying that the band had some previously unreleased material that would be a good contender for a re-release. We put Mike onto Bruce Donachie at AOR-FM, and several months later - than union has resulted in this amazing CD. For me, this is the best AOR-FM release so far. The packaging is pretty special, the CD is a limited collectors edition with only 750 copies being printed. 'We Got The Power' contains those four tracks originally found on the 'Dreamer EP', plus another ten unreleased tracks. Steve Elowe joined the band to flesh out their live sound, and soon after Dreamer were playing bigger venues and even supported the Joe Perry Project. The band ventured into the Elefante's Pakaderm Studios to record a further ten songs, but their efforts weren't sustained, the band eventually breaking up. It is these ten songs produced by Dreamer keyboardist Tom Slack which now see the light of day on this CD, along with those four '82 tracks.

The Songs
Dreamer kick off with 'One In A Million', an energetic (if muscular) form of AOR that is based on a familiar set of keyboard stabs from ivory king Tom Slack.

'U.F.O Connection' is one of the highlights on the album for me. Again, Slack drives forth again with an insistent synth pattern which is offset by some swirling keys elsewhere. Not to be outdone, guitarist Mark Moulin throws his weight around too. The voiceover through the middle (one presumes to be an alien!) is kinda cool.

The band deliver a fast and racy effort on 'Queen', another energetic track fuelled by adrenalin and pep pills.

The title track 'We've Got The Power' is the pick of the bunch for me. An intense song, with deeply laden synths, pulsing bass lines and a killer chorus. I'm sure most of you who appreciate this style will understand what I'm on about.

'Don't Wanna Make You Cry' sees the band taking their foot off the accelerator. This one's a ballad in the vein of Detroit pompsters Sweet Crystal. It has some nice moments too.

'Really Wanna See You' sits well in the pop/rock vein, and is probably the band at its most commercial.

'Playing With The Devil' as per the songtitle, tries to rough it up a bit. Growling guitars precede events, but the whole thing turns out like Preview meeting Alliance at an AOR convention! I'm drooling at the prospect!

'Nothing To Lose', 'Angel Of The Night', 'Journey To Romance' and 'Cheap Shot Lovers' have been reviewed previously on the 'Dreamer EP' release. The liner notes disclose the fact the Johnny Almond from the band Mark-Almond was the guest saxophone player on 'Nothing To Lose'.

'Heart To Heart' is typical early 80's era AOR, beautiful in places, but the audio quality of this one is not as good as those heard before. A nice track nonetheless.

'Living On The Wrong Side Of Life' again suffers from patchy audio quality, but the song itself is a bit heavier and darker, not unlike material of that classic 1986 album from The Ladder.

The album is completed by 'Changing With The Times'. This one didn't quite do it for me, though as has been quoted by me on other GD reviews elsewhere, it would've died a death if placed in lesser hands!

In Summary
Bruce will admit that the audio quality lacks on some of the tracks (the last three in particular, I guess that is why they are placed so far down the track listing), so you'll need to see through that aspect to appreciate the songs. As musicians, these boys were top notch; from singer Graydon Smith right the way through to drummer Larry Dent. Since their breakup, the members went on to other projects. Obviously the band are still in touch with each other, hence the release of this retrospective CD. Kudos goes to Mike McNulty and Tom Slack, and of course our good friend Bruce Donachie for releasing this wonderful bit of history. Aah, this is what it's all about! So, get in quick, because 750 limited edition copies won't last very long..

URL: www.aor-fm.com
Sponsor: Bruce @ AOR-FM Records

Track Listing:
01 One In A Million
02 UFO Connection
03 Queen
04 We've Got The Power
05 Don't Wanna Make You Cry
06 Really Wanna See You
07 Playing With The Devil
08 Nothing To Lose
09 Angel Of The Night
10 Journey To Romance
11 Cheap Shot Lovers
12 Heart To Heart
13 Living On The Wrong Side Of Life
14 Changing With The Times

Rating:


Related Articles:

Dreamer - 1982 Dreamer EP

Dreamer - 2008 We Got The Power

All written content on this website is copyrighted.
Copying of material without permission is not permitted.