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Articles: 2001 Articles
40ft Ringo - 2001 Ten Song CD
Make no mistake, with a sound that fuses tub-thumping stadium rock and the contemporary bombast of nu-breed acts like Marvelous 3, Tsar and SR-71, 40 Ft Ringo's songs are so damn addictive, they should come with a health warning.


Aerosmith - 2001 Just Push Play
'Just Push Play' does nothing to suggest that the Boston rockers are convincingly back to their Columbia Records heyday of snarling, classic rock, nor does it confirm that Aerosmith are just spewing out more of the commercially minded rock..


Alva Star - 2001 Alligators In The Lobby
The title may be slightly mystifying, but Alva Star's mixture of irresistible pop hooks and rythymic, driving rock n' roll proves that great, addictive and memorable music is anything but rocket science.


Amun Re - 2001 Magic Kingdom
This outfit come from the Alpine climes of Austria. That country is more famous for producing Olympic class winter athletes, but now perhaps.. melodic rockers? Who knows, but whatever the case, an Austrian band immersed in all things Egyptian sounds mighty strange to me.


Anatomic - 2001 In For The Thrill
Despite adopting a new edgier name, Shy Tiger's metamorphis into Anatomic proves nothing has really changed. The Bay Area band gained opening slots for Bon Jovi and Night Ranger and sold respectable numbers of their debut CD 'Feed The Kitty' with a high energy brand of melodic hard rock, and if that album did it for you, then there's an excellent chance 'In For The Thrill' will hit the right buttons again.


Aries - 2001 Crash And Burn
If someone told me this was a classic midwest AOR album from 1979 or thereabouts, I would have fallen for it. There's more than a little Kansas influence, with smatterings of Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Uriah Heep.


At Vance - 2001 Dragonchaser
There is still the neo-classical metal that the band can do so well, but it lacks the extra spark that made 'Heart Of Steel' so appealing. Actually, 'Dragonchaser' doesn't have much of a spark at all.


Athenaeum - 2001 Athenaeum
It's good to see that not EVERY new rock band supported by major labels has to be a Blink 182 clone, Limp Bizkit rip-off or Linkin Park imitator. Step forward Athenaeum, a band with few pretensions, not much marketing potential but plenty of great tunes.


Avantasia - 2001 The Metal Opera
Tobias Sammet is in essence the lead vocalist for Edguy, and while he is definitely still a part of that band, he needed an outlet for some of the material he had written that didn't fit into the Edguy mould. Avantasia is quite an adventurous project melding grandiose, over-the-top orchestration with melodic speed metal guitars, operatic vocals (just look at the list of singers) and multi-layered choruses.


Badhoven - 2001 Behind The Masquerade
Awful name, dubious cover, originate from Austria.. Hardly AOR heaven isn't it? Not looking promising. But wait, these guys deliver pitch-perfect AOR, with a few neat twists and turns..


Baileys Comet - 2001 Judgement Day
Baileys Comet is the band founded by The Bailey Brothers, Dez and Mick. The brothers came to prominence in the 80's as hosts of MTV's Metal programme and also writing for Metal Hammer magazine.


Band Central Station - 2001 Now Arriving
These guys have been around for awhile, but never made it beyond their local hunting ground of Long Island New York. Though Boston and Journey are strong influences, you can also hear Norway and Diving For Pearls in their sound.


Beautiful Creatures - 2001 Beautiful Creatures
Rehashing a staple diet of AC/DC and Guns N Roses, the songs on 'Beautiful Creatures' will be nothing new to any self respecting rock fan.


Big Smile - 2001 Going Vertical
After doing an interview with Chris Brockway at the end of 1999, I was starting to wonder whether the boys with the big smile would actually get around to releasing 'Going Vertical'. Well, we're finally underway.. 'good things take time' is the old adage. And so it is with Big Smile's second album.


Bliss 66 - 2001 Trip To The 13th
Displaying an intriguing blend of hard rock aggression and pop subtlety, Detroit based Bliss 66 could well be the band to break out.


Boetz - 2001 Call To Arms
Proudly proclaiming the re-emergence of true hard rock is Ernest Robert Boetz (pronounced Bets). Ernie to you and I. His motto is 'God Bless America, and long live rock n roll'.


Bonfire - 2001 Strike Ten
Few melodic rock bands can boast a career that spans fifteen years and ten albums. Apart from the mediocre 'Knock Out' and the interesting acoustic/country flavoured 'Feels Like Coming Home', Bonfire has been steadily releasing good-to-excellent quality Euro melodic hard rock.


Brock, Kelly - 2001 So Close
Take a pinch of the Corrs, a little bit of Alisha's Attic and a real penchant for pop sensibilities, then you get a rough idea of what Canadian singer songwriter Kelly Brock is all about.


Brock, Terry - 2001 Back To Eden
Let's shift camp to Mr Brock, and all of his cohorts who have helped create a solo album for Terry which stands right alongside the best solo moments of Steve Perry, Hugo and Michael Bolton, integrated with the commercial style of a band like Survivor.


Broken Toyz - 2001 Out Of The Box [Demo]
Broken Toyz stick steadfastly to the 70's side of rock, with a sound reminiscent of Deep Purple to Led Zeppelin, with a dash of AC/DC mixed in.


Broke[N]Blue - 2001 Northern Light
For an indie effort this should be an inspiration as to how well it can be done on limited resources..


Bush, Stan - 2001 Language Of The Heart
For this new solo album, Stan has collaborated with Curt Cuomo, who worked on the Kiss albums 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Psycho Circus'. Curt co-writes on nine of the ten tracks, plays keyboards and produces this slightly more organic and stripped down sounding album.


Byrd, James - 2001 Flying Beyond The 9
James Byrd for those discerning punters out there is of course better known for his work with the eighties melodic rockers Fifth Angel, and his other band projects such as Atlantis Rising.


C4 (Featuring Michael Angelo) - 2001 Call To Arms
Michael Angelo's C4 is not going to win any prizes for being the CD of the year, but it's certainly worth tracking down as it gives an interesting twist to previously released versions of material from his former bands Nitro and Holland.


Cage - 2001 Astrology
Cage are an uncompromising pure metal band, and if you're a fan of 'Painkiller' era Judas Priest, Primal Fear and early Crimson Glory then you are going to have a very sore neck after listening to 'Astrology'.


Catley, Bob - 2001 Middle Earth
The legendary Magnum frontman returns with his third, and arguably best solo album. The musical feel is classic Magnum, circa 'On A Storyteller's Night' and 'Wings Of Heaven'.


Clarks, The - 2001 Live 2001
Despite an intensely loyal and sizeable local fan base, Pittsburgh based rockers The Clarks remain one of America's best kept musical secrets.


Cline, David Neil - 2001 Through Scrutiny
A veteran of the Detroit Metal scene, David has been forging his career since the 80's, with recent re-releases of EP's and albums that were previously only available on vinyl and cassette. 'Through Scrutiny' may have been released in the year 2001 but the material was written quite some time ago I believe, with some touch ups and re-recordings being made, resulting in this release.


Collective Soul - 2001 7even Year Itch
Collective Soul are definitely an interesting, if somewhat strange band. Over the course of a seven year career, the band has sold more than five million albums, but you would scarcely recognise any of the band members if you ran into them in the street.


Company Of Wolves - 2001 Steryl Spycase
An enjoyable romp of rock and rhythm/blues from this resurrected outfit from years gone by. Formed around the talented Kyf Brewer, some of you will remember his brief foray with his earlier band The Ravyns. COW was his second coming, and though signed with a big label, the band's timing was a bit unfortunate.


Coppertree - 2001 Coppertree
This self-titled CD is actually a re-recording and remix of much of the material on Coppertree's 2000 disc, 'Left Of Somewhere', and a big improvement it is too.


Cranberries, The - 2001 Wake Up And Smell The Coffee
The Cranberries have in a sense, come full circle with 'Wake Up And Smell The Coffee', and this may mean that in an ever-changing industry, their Celtic flavoured alternative pop can't go much further.


Crashing Angels - 2001 Crashing Angels
Thanks to MP3.com you can come across some impressive bands, and it was through MP3.com that I discovered this talented quintet from Vancouver, Canada.


Danger Danger - 2001 Cockroach
'Cockroach' was supposed to be Danger Danger's third release on Epic Records in 1993. Issues with lead vocalist roles prompted Epic to completely shelve the release - until 2001 that is..


Dare - 2001 Belief
'Belief' is not so much of a departure, but a combination of the commercial approach derived from their classic debut 'Out Of The Silence' merging into 'Calm Before The Storm'.


Demon Drive - 2001 Rock n Roll Star
For anyone familiar with either German or European melodic rock, the name Michael Voss and Demon Drive will be recognisable. His trademark voice is still a major part of Demon Drive, although it now fronts a less flamboyant, maturer outfit.


Doc Holliday - 2001 A Better Road
This might appear to be a new album, and I suppose technically it is. However, upon peeling back the layers you'll find that the material is in fact a mix of unreleased and re-recorded songs. All thankfully from that classic period of the early 80's.


Dreamtide - 2001 Here Comes The Flood
The year 2000 saw the turning of the tide and the turning of fortunes for German melodic rock heroes Fair Warning. With the departure of singer Tommy Heart to a new and different project that was Soul Doctor, the remaining members decided to pull the plug. Since then, lead guitarist Helge Engelke has resurfaced with this new band Dreamtide, and for fans of Fair Warning and Zeno in particular, rest easy.. the legacy continues.


Dustsucker - 2001 Hookers Planet
No, Dustsucker is not a new brand of vacuum cleaner, but a heavy rock band from Germany.


Emerald Rain - 2001 Perplexed In The Extreme
Compared to their previous work this album makes a step up in attitude and heaviness. The melody is definitely still evident but on a number of occasions it is moulded around some European heavy rock style riffing from Mike Dmitrovic.


Empire - 2001 Hypnotica
Fans of power vocals will love this. Definitely anyone interested in the heavier genres of melodic rock will do well to check this ablum out. Overall, you can't help but be impressed by an album which has good consistent material, two talented singers, and a stellar musical cast. Melodic metal never sounded so good.


Far Too Jones - 2001 Shame And Her Sister
With a blend of catchy, yet raw and edgy rock, 'Shame and Her Sister' is one of the best records I have heard in this genre in the past couple of years.


Fatal Attraction (Sweden) - 2001 Unknown World EP
A pleasant interlude from this Swedish indie quintet, with a heart and home between Scandi-land and the sun-drenched boulevards of L.A. It's AOR and West Coast all rolled into one.


First Shot - 2001 From The Hip
'From The Hip' traverse most AOR corners on the album, there's some bold hard rock down to some teary eyed ballads.


Flickerstick - 2001 Welcoming Home The Astronauts
If Reality TV is your preference, you'll probably remember Dallas-based Flickerstick as the band that overcame three other groups, adversity and near elimination to win VH1's 'Band's On The Run' contest during 2001.


Flying Blind - 2001 Push
California rockers Flying Blind admit in their own liner notes that they are an honest, generous bunch. As hardworking as the day is long, they only live to perform and write songs for us. Well, they have also been good enough to let their moniker unintentionally sum up the general idea about their atrocious debut CD 'Push'.


Francis, Chris - 2001 Chris Francis
This self-titled CD is the debut release from Chris Francis, who has since gone on to join british melodic rockers Ten.


Giant - 2001 III
Most, if not all of these tracks were recorded some time ago - some for the 'third' album which never materialised, and others from the 'Time To Burn' sessions that never made it.


Gonzalez, Jason - 2001 On The Edge Of The Edge
Most will recall Jason Gonzalez being the voice behind the band Just Jay. Jason's approach is not unlike the one taken by artists such as John Taglieri and Jim Steed, both chaps have been featured here at GDAZE.


Grand Illusion - 2001 The Book Of How To Make It
The Swedish band previously known as Promotion have changed their leopard spots somewhat on this breakthrough album for UK label Escape Music. Better known as a West Coast/AOR oriented outfit, the change of direction was sought once label boss Khalil Turk caught wind of their musical prowess.


Hackett, Steve - 2001 Live Archive
Every musician with a long-standing career deserves the box set treatment. Now, the ex-Genesis one-man vibrato-machine releases a four CD set of live material recorded across three decades.


Handsome Devil - 2001 Love And Kisses From The Underground
Perhaps it was a mere technical fault, or maybe a bad omen, but this debut album by Orange County natives Handsome Devil just would not play on my CD player when I first tried to review it. Whatever it was, after switching equipment, it soon became clear that it wasn't worth the effort anyway.


Haze (Italy) - 2001 Let Me Be Your Snake [Demo]
Not sure whether I should 'pelt' these boys or praise them! On the one hand they have the audacity to release a seven track CD with five cover songs on it, plus have a most gorgeous honeychild draped over the CD cover in the company of a snake!


Heartplay - 2001 The Album
Not much is known about Finland's Heartplay, but upon initial listening, I can tell you this: fans of genres as far afield as West Coast, hi-tech, and pure AOR will be making super quick inquiries as to this 9 track gem.


Hobbit - 2001 Rockin' The Shire
For the most part, these tracks represent the next batch of Hobbit recordings after the 'Two Feet Tall' phase, focusing on the early to mid 80's but still including a 70's track here and there.


Honeymoon Suite - 2001 Lemon Suite
With 'Lemon Tongue', it's apparent these guys have woken up from their Rip Van Winkle induced sleep into the heart of 2001 modern rock/pop.


Invertigo - 2001 Forum
This band should have been huge, a pity then that big record label politics fucked them around..


Journey - 2001 Arrival
In a nutshell, 'Arrival' is a solid mature release, with something there for all melodic rock fans. Their songs drift effortlessly upon Jonathan Cain's predominant keyboard/piano based motifs while Schon's guitar as always provides the perfect foil, with ease, grace and taste.


Judas Priest - 2001 Demolition
'Demolition' was released in 2001, but in that time it's become more forgotten than Glenn Tipton's 'Baptizm Of Fire' solo effort from 1997. It didn't help that four years had passed since 'Jugulator' (Priest's comeback after Rob Halford quit in 1992), an album lovably cornball, but missing some of the charm of the Halford years.


Jump - 2001 On Impulse
Outside of the UK, I think it's probably fair to say that Jump are an unknown quantity.. Chances are, those of you who are familiar with the band would have discovered them through their association with Marillion.


Killing Heidi - 2001 Reflector
Aussie newcomers Killing Heidi are clearly a band of extraordinary extremes - not to mention talent.


Knight Crawler - 2001 World Of Make Believe
Yes, despite the unfortunate name and image, Knight Crawler definitely have a home in AOR Central, and have parked up in the lot right beside a band like Captive Heart, such is the immediate comparison to them.


Koslen, Jonah (And The Heroes) - 2001 Orange
Rather like the Breathless debut, 'Orange' is full of light and shade, a heady cocktail of musical styles skillfully combining truly dynamic heavy AOR with deft lighter moments.


Kotsev, Nikolo - 2001 Nostradamus
Only a guy like Nikolo Kotsev and his merry band of players could pull off a project like this and go against the grain. Combined with a 35 piece Orchestra, the results are spectacular. With music encompassing two CD's, the various episodes of Nostradamus life which Kotsev thought would be interesting lyrically, have been converted into chapters of music..


Lapdog - 2001 Near Tonight
Scientific evidence aside, it appears it is actually possible to be reincarnated from a Toad to a Dog. Well, it certainly is if your name is Todd Nicholls or Randy Guss, former guitarist and drummer respectively of popular College-rockers Toad The Wet Sprocket.


Little River Band (LRB) - 2001 Where We Started From
The extensive career of the Little River Band continues into the 21st Century. Australia's favorite sons return with an album keeping true to their roots: mellow, melodic, and full of multi-part vocal harmonies, and a trademark sound which few other bands have attempted to emulate.


Lix - 2001 Lix
Thanks to the popularity in pomp rockers Hobbit, we see the posthumous release of a band and an album which sprung forth like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes of that first incarnation of Hobbit.


LuBrant, Keith - 2001 Face In The Crowd
New Jersey native Keith Lubrant has some tough competition in his home state as far as rock n roll goes. With that in mind, perhaps it's just as well he isn't trying to be another Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi, on his debut CD 'Face In The Crowd'. But from listening to the record, it's clear he still has a way to go until he can start playing arenas, buying mansions and making videos with Cindy Crawford.


M.D.G - 2001 M.D.G [EP]
The 'M.D.G. EP' comes thoroughly recommended to anyone with an ear for good melody and intelligent, well produced rock music.


Marathon - 2001 The Year Of You
Modern and edgy, whilst undeniably commercial and melodic, 'The Year of You' demonstrates Marathon have talent and ability in spades.


Marillion - 2001 Anoraknophobia
'Anorak - What's wrong with that?' ask Marillion, a band who've also claimed, with tongue firmly in cheek, they're 'uncool as fuck'. Given this evidence, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Los Marillos have given up completely on the idea of being contemporary.


Matthew J - 2001 Pop Culture Kills
It's modern, it's interesting, and there's appeal for all sorts of different audiences. It's not exactly nu-breed nor alternative, probably too guitar oriented me thinks.


Mattson, Lars Eric - 2001 Eternity
Although I haven't been too fussed with what I've previously heard from Lars Eric Mattsson, I have to acknowledge that 'Eternity' is a good Euro-style heavy rock album that bases its foundations on strong song writing and a modern production job.


McFadden, Duke - 2001 Complete
Followers of the band 707 will remember Duke McFadden as being one of it's original members. He never hung around for their third effort 'Megaforce', but he still had the inclination to put out his own music in any event. 'Complete' is his third indie effort..


Meldrum - 2001 Loaded Mental Cannon
As Paul Sabu sez, 'Hellzarockin' with this girl, no 'hows your fathers' here, solid grinding alternative hard rock all the way, with nigh a trace of Julie Andrews twaddling around in the meadow like a mad thing. Yes, it's growling and it's menacing.


Melodica - 2001 Love Metal
While their debut album earned them some harsh criticism, especially on the production front, I'm pleased to report that Melodica have just released one of the AOR albums of the year. Comparisons have been made to Bad English, but I would hasten to add Journey and at times classic Giant to the general mix, over and above the obvious Danger Danger tendencies.


Mormino, Brad - 2001 Love Hurts Anyway
Brad Mormino delivers a set of acoustic pop/rock reminiscent of Mitch Malloy and Mr Reality.


Moxy - 2001 V
What a comeback! Moxy.. who would've thought? Man, this is a steaming set of hot heavy rock, and a perfect testament to the late Bill Wade, for whom much of the kudos goes to, in the release and production of 'V'.


Nexx - 2001 Promo CD
Here's another band in the queue waiting to break out of the burgeoning Spanish melodic rock scene. Hot on the heels of bands such as Rafa Martin, La Fase, Elyte, Seven Ltd, and more recently the impressive 91 Suite, come Nexx.


No Soap Radio - 2001 No Soap Radio
There can't be many better ways of turning heads than blagging an exposure-guaranteed part in The Sopranos, as New Jersey natives No Soap Radio have managed to do.


Nobodys Fool - 2001 II
Coming out of Sydney Australia are this four piece named Nobodys Fool who are slowly making a name for themselves on the local Aussie scene.


Oleander - 2001 Unwind
This is a very promising record from a very promising band, and deserves to better the success of its predecessor by some margin.


Orange Crush - 2001 Songs For Ophelia (EP)
Say hello to Orange Crush and their debut 5 song EP 'Songs For Ophelia'. In other reviews they've been favourably compared to The Cutting Crew and I can see why.


P.O.D - 2001 Satellite
P.O.D are a massively popular Christian band. But with some absolutely huge, crunching riffs, plenty of frantic vocals and a positively pounding rhythm section, thankfully they do not resemble Stryper, the last bastions of the Bible to successfully cross over to the rock mainstream.


Paige, Jennifer - 2001 Positively Somewhere
I think I've just heard one of the potential pathfinders of the melodic rock/pop scene. Perhaps an indicator of where commercial melodic music is headed? Her name is Jennifer Paige. The perfect merger of todays dance oriented genre and heartfelt melodic pop. Not sure how she's managed such an accomplishment, but anyone who can sing with heartbreaking conviction with music swimming in rich melodies is doing bloody well in my books!


Paradise - 2001 Light The Fire
Paradise is the product of a partnership between Doug Johnson (Loverboy) and George Criston (Kick Axe, Criston/Harvey). The result is a powerful blend of AOR with hard rock sensibilities, which can best be described as Hard AOR.


Perahia, Joshua - 2001 Something To Say
Fans of Joshua Perahia's music will be well versed with his prior material, namely the heavy handed affairs that were his albums 'Surrender' and the magnificent 'Intense Defense', both from the 80's. Joshua returns in the new century with this new opus 'Something To Say'. Well, it appears he does indeed have something to say. A musical statement, though not given the same degree of sonic discharge as on those previous efforts. It is a slab of melodic rock lighter than before, but AOR it isn't.


Physical Rocket - 2001 Rising Is My Trend
Physical Rocket are among a number of Swedish bands who are angling for that retro market. It seems to be a style that bands from that neck of the woods are gravitating towards.. finding solace in music blasting out of the airwaves during the late sixties. One can tell from the album jacket that the scene is set circa 1968!


Pink Cream 69 - 2001 Endangered
This German based outfit are on a three-peat. Their last two albums 'Electrified' and 'Sonic Dynamite' are considered to be among their best. And that's during a career which has lasted them twelve years.


Pride - 2001 Far From The Edge
Take a dose of Tyketto approved mayhem, wrap it up in some Dare or Cornerstone like atmospheric melodies, and you've got a superb package which should guarantee quality time on the CD player.


Primitive Radio Gods - 2001 White Hot Peach
Such a modern approach is reflected in the music on the album, and thankfully the Primitive Radio Gods still sound as innovative and ahead of their time as ever.


Quiet Riot - 2001 Guilty Pleasures
'Guilty Pleasures' surprised me by not only exceeding 'Alive And Well' for hard rock consistency, but became in my opinion the finest album of their career. It appeared all the years of turmoil and in fighting had given the band precious experience into improving the caliber of their music.


Radio Silence - 2001 Sirens
It's a difficult album to review after only one or two listens, so I've given it about six listens to really look hard for redeeming features. Unfortunately there weren't very many ...


Radioactive - 2001 Ceremony Of Innocence
What could best be described as a labor of love for Sweden's ace guitarist Tommy Denander, is this album 'Ceremony Of Innocence'.


Renegade (Canada) - 2001 Back From The Dead
Though it was originally released in 2001, the material goes back years before: the late eighties in fact. Just how this lot managed to avoid detection is a lesson that perhaps is only rivalled by Osama Bin Laden.


Rivera/Bomma - 2001 Invisible Force
Christian duo Rivera/Bomma push the boundaries with their brand of melodic metal.


Roulette - 2001 Lifeline
Definitely a band who are lost in the 80's, lots of hair, lots of splash and dash, and a full compliment of sound.


Sahara (Sweden) - 2001 Sahara
Every year seems to throw up an AOR/West Coast surprise. Last year (2000) it was Patrik Tibell's T'Bell. This year (2001) it's Sahara.


Schon, Neal - 2001 Voice
Many of these songs on 'Voice' you will have heard before. These are Neal's instrumental takes on them, using the guitar as his voice of expression.


Seventh Key - 2001 Seventh Key
For a group of seasoned pro's you would expect something good. On this occasion I think they have gone way beyond the extra mile. Don't miss this, it is a very special experience.
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