JC_AOR

Coopers pale ale ain't too bad. Don't think I've ever had trouble finishing a drink. Although, maybe baileys or one of those cream drinks - yuck!

Wow! Great stuff, I can see this being very popular among Southern Rock fans and Rock fans in general. Catchy Southern Rock songs with great sounding guitars and a modern edge, I like it. Nice one!

This is one of those country songs that's more rock than country, i like it. Speaking of country rock, I just picked up the new 2009 Rascall Flatts and Keith Urban discs, both are very good.

Yeah definately some great songs. As for the EP, I'm not sure how to buy it. There are signs on the MySpace page but I think to buy from MySpace pages you have to have a MySpace account...this is where lots of bands miss out on CD sales from me. Maybe I should just make a MySpace account.

Happy Birthday Geoff!!

Hey Jez whats Tinted Windows like, I haven't heard of that one...

Yeah I see what your saying. I think the Blue-Spec and SACD formats actually have improvements to the way the data is encoded whereas the SHM and HQCD formats only claim to have better technology for reading the data. I'm certainly no guru when it comes to this sorta stuff but that's how I understand it.

I'm not sure if this has been discussed in detail somewhere else on the forum, but I'm curious about all of these Japanese high quality CD formats I've seen all over E-Bay. It seems there are a few different formats claiming to have superior sound quality over the average CD and what's also interesting is the huge number of titles geting re-released on these formats, particularly SHM. I haven't had the pleasure of actually hearing any for myself, but I'm wondering, are these high quality formats any good? Is the sound quality really that much better than a standard CD?? And do you think any of these formats will make enough of an impact on the market so that the regular CD format comes under threat? I've read several articles which state that this is all just a big format war involving Sony and others, and has more to do with copy protection than it does about improved sound quality. Any thoughts? I saw one description of a Blue-Spec copy of Boston - Don't Look Back which stated "Listening to this is a phenomenal experience, as if you are in the studio with the musicians!" Here's a few descriptions taken from the cdjapan.co.jp website: SHM The high quality SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing, SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc, allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. - From cdjapan.co.jp Blu-Spec Blu-spec CD format boasts a new approach to the faithful reproduction of music by utilizing the leading edge blue laser diode technologies optimized for the manufacturing of Blu-ray. During the manufacturing of CD, laser beam is pinpointed to encode data on the microscopic tracks molded on the polycarbonate plastic constituting the surface of the disc. Compared to the conventional laser beam used for the manufacturing of standard CD, the blue laser beam used for the manufacturing of Blu-spec CD has a shorter wavelength, allowing more accurate encoding of the data. The use of the laser also eliminates the need to use cooling fans that cause vibrations. Furthermore, polycarbonate plastic optimized for Blu-ray is used to ensure accurate reading of the data. Amazingly and importantly, Blu-spec CD format is fully compatible with standard CD players. - From cdjapan.co.jp HQCD HQCD (HiQualityCD) format achieves high quality audio through the use of a polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency derived from LCD display manufacturing technologies enabling more accurate reading of the CD data. In addition, a special alloy is used as the material of the reflective layer instead of the standard aluminum. HQCD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. - From cdjapan.co.jp SACD SACDs present higher audio fidelity through the use of a propietary format which offers a maximum bitrate up to 64 times higher than that of standard CDs. Though SACD releases can only be played in special SACD players, discs that are labeled "SACD Hybrid" include an additional CD layer of audio that can be played back on standard CD players (though quality is limited to CD quality through standard CD player playback). SACD releases can contain either or both stereo and 5.1 channel mixes. - From cdjapan.co.jp

I've only heard a couple of sample clips from this guy but he is certainly worth looking out for. He lists his main influences as Butch Walker and Bon Jovi. Originally from Sydney, where he was part of a band called 'The Love Vandals', he re-located to Melbourne in 2006. His first solo release, an EP titled 'Breaking Me Down' is out now. Bobby Kidd on MySpace

Edguy have just released a live DVD 'Fucking With F***' which was recorded on November 3 2006 in Sao Paolo, Brazil as part of the Rocket Ride world tour. There is also a two disc live CD set. I'm not sure on how this thing is going to be packaged ie. whether we get the DVD and two disc live CD set all in one bundle or if we have to buy them separately. For those interested, in addition to the 100 minute concert there is a stack of behind the scenes stuff, interviews and all that type of shit. A very lengthy DVD all up. Obviously with a band like Edguy your never going to please everyone as there are two main schools of fans - one school who lean toward the early releases and another school of fans (like myself) who are more into the later releases. But as the Edguy concert I went to on the Hellfire Club world tour was up there as one of the best live shows I've ever seen (3rd best gig ever), I'm really looking forward to geting this. Check out the Edguy hellicopter!! Very cool!! Here's the track listing: 01. Catch Of The Century [Rocket Ride] 02. Sacrifice [Rocket Ride] 03. Babylon [Theater Of Salvation] 04. Lavatory Love Machine [Hellfire Club] 05. Vain Glory Opera [Vain Glory Opera] 06. Land Of The Miracle [Theater Of Salvation] 07. Fucking With Fire [Rocket Ride] 08. Superheroes [Rocket Ride] 09. Save Me [Rocket Ride] 10. Tears Of A Mandrake [Mandrake] 11. Mysteria [Hellfire Club] 12. Avantasia [Avantasia - The Metal Opera] 13. King Of Fools [Hellfire Club] 14. Out Of Control [Vain Glory Opera]

I've seen Firehouse numerous times and it doesn't matter if it is a festival, fairgrounds, bar or arena, they always seem like they want to be there and play for the crowd. I saw Aerosmith (Jackyl opened for them) but I don't remember a single thing about the concert. Not sure what that means. Probably means you enjoyed yourself!

Yes ICON, I'd like to have seen them back in the 80's as well. Another band that springs to mind is Boston, but I heard they were'nt big on touring is that true?

Being an Aussie I've been fairly deprived of good live shows. Here's a few I'd pay (or would have paid) good money to see live... Harem Scarem !!!!! Bad English John Waite (solo gig) Alias (think they toured with REO Speedwagon at the time??) Bryan Adams (would love to have seen him play a huge venue back in the Waking Up The Neighbours period) Danger Danger Firehouse Kix Bonfire (great live band I've heard) Skid Row (in their early days) Foreigner (w/ Lou Gramm) Aerosmith (on a late 80's tour) Journey (would like to see them in their current form)

Yeah 'Still Bleeding' is a cool song as well. That was probably my next favourite.

Just saw on your last.fm profile your most played song is 7Th Heaven - Better This Way. That's good by me, great song that one!!! Welcome to the forum!

After listening to the TOTALLY AWESOME 'The Way Of The World' I was wondering why this great band wasn't posted in the Hard Rock section of the forum, then I played 'Pray' and can se why...very heavy stuff. I've played a few of the other songs listed above and it all ranges from modern melodic Hard Rock sounding through to some screaming Heavy Metal. This isn't a bad thing though as the songs are really good. I found myself enjoying what I've heard so far. I'm just a little bit hesitant about how these differeing intensities will flow on the same CD. Great find Lennie! PS Everyone should at least play 'The Way Of The World' - great song!

where the hell did you get that? Aloha, right from the sunny Hawaii. Mighty Burt had an evilbay auction for it No chance to find this one in your country??? If it's the Aussie AOR band, no it's pretty scarce here. Would love to find a copy.

Ok, I've only played the CD twice but so far I love it and in particular the later part of the album really stands out for me. Love the baking vocals, love the guitar solos, some nice lyrics, not much I can complain about here. Also a great job on the packaging which is good to see. Fav tracks in order: 1. Same Mistake (Brilliant tune!!!) 2. Fine Line 3. Those Were The Days 4. Love Won't Wait 5. Talk To Me 6. She's Crazy To be honest when I first opened the booklet and saw there was a song called 'Talk To Me' which was credited to another artist I was really hoping it would be a cover of 'Talk To Me' by Rat Bat Blue - love that song! Love this one too! I really think track 9 'Same Mistake' is under rated, haven't seen a lot of comments about it.

Yeah I've got that album on vinyl. Also have a few 7" singles though as I recall the singles I have are under the name "John Justin" (without the Thunderwings) though I could be wrong about that. Some pretty cool rock. Nothing more nothing less.

I've been playing this one in the car over the past few days. It's a really nice mini album/EP. Production is a little rough but the songs are awesome and I do think the vocals suit this album well. It's not going to blow anyone away but I doubt if many Melodic Hard Rock fans would not enjoy this release.

Yeah great song! I didn't mind a few of their others either.

'Amore' is avaliable at the bands website. Not my favourite of theirs, but good all the same Awesome! Thanks Jez! Ordered it straight away. Does anyone have the Both Sides Live Album? Is it any good? I got the 'Both Sides Live' a few weeks ago and it is a cracking live album. Disc one is a full electric live show, whilst disc two is an acoustic Radio show, featuring drastically different versions. Really good stuff and definitely worth getting. What did you think of 'Time Stand Still' disc from last year? - I thought it was really really good, with some classic Hooters tracks on there. Yeah 'Time Stand Still' is a great album. It doesn't really have a single standout track for me but every track is a good one. It's just a really good rock album that you can put on and play all the way through. No disappointments. I like the cover of 'Bys Of Summer', probably the slowest cover of that song that I've heard (and yes I've heard a few of them). I'll have to pick up that 'Both Sides Live' album now...

Canada probably has the best selection of melodic rock bands in the world? Would you agree or is that a wild statement? Alias is my favourite as I loved their debut when it came out. From the list above my picks are: 1. Harem Scarem 2. Killer Dwarfs 3. Boulevard 4. Brighton Rock 5. Refugee 6. Loverboy

If you think that's wierd, I heard Eric Martin singing 'I Will Always Love You' (Whitney Houston) on one of his recent solo discs. But yeah as for the Amore disc, I'm not expecting great things from it but I feel I need to own it to complete the classic Hooters discography in my collection. But you're right, when it comes to the Hooters you can't beat the Nervous Night album.

Yeah good news that is. Doesn't matter if it's Masterplan, Jorn solo or any other Jorn project, he always performs well and I'm always keen to hear it!