|
JOE LYNN TURNER SUNSTORM HOUSE OF DREAMS Frontier Records Promotional Digital Copy  In September 2006 Frontiers Records released the first Sunstorm album. Now, two and a half years later, it's time for a follow up of the succesfull first Sunstorm CD. This second Sunstorm CD continue where the first ended.  Opener "Divided" is at once a give away what we can expect on this new album. Excellent AOR in the style of Journey and Foreigner. After Rainbow came to an end in 1984 Joe Lynn Turner already proved us he could handle classy AOR on "Rescue You". Now almost 25 years later he shows us he still is able to sound like he did then. "Don't Give Up" is another good AOR track. "The Spirit Inside" has a fine Survivor touch. This would fit without problem between hits like "High On You" and "Can't Hold Back". "I Found Love" is a track back from the "Rescue You" days. It was in his live set at that time. Now finally on record. Good guitar licks and nice solo. Great vocals. "Say You Will" is one of those sensitive songs that could (or should!) be an US Radio hit. "Gutters of Gold" is a bit more rockin' and has some 80's Rainbow touches. Good guitarwork! "Save a Place in your Heart" is known from JLT's "Nothing's Changed" CD from 1995. This version is a little bit more AOR than the original. More real AOR come in tracks like "Forever Now", "Tears on the Pages" (a Jon Lind and Russ Ballard co-written tune) and the titletrack "House of Dreams". In 1987 JLT co-wrote "Walk On" with Desmond Child of Kiss and Bon Jovi fame for Jimmy Barnes. The Australian singer recorded it on his "Freight Train Heart" album. Now JLT has himself a go at this song. A touch of finesse rather than the Aussie rough throat make this into another great track. Where the first Sunstorm might have been a surprise this one is not. It is a logical follow-up and a steady collection of the best AOR you can imagine from JLT. Some might say this CD sound old fashioned, others would claim it's timeless. When you like this style of music you'll certainly love it. The vocals by Joe Lynn Turner are just excellent, crystal clear keyboards, good guitar work and a tight rhythm section. You just love it or hate it is as simple as that. Releasedate: Europe - April 17, 2009 / U.S.A & Japan - May 19 Rating: **** (4 out of 5)  |