Castronovo, Blades and Aldrich... Now I have something to look forward

[KarpetRydOFunk]

I finally ordered it last night. My first purchase of 2015 albums. Also included Eclipse and Care of Night. I'm actually excited to be on top of things again.

[Glen]

Ive listened through twice now and it is an excellent album. Every song is a winner imo.

[AlphaMale]

Ive listened through twice now and it is an excellent album. Every song is a winner imo.

 

Totally agree!! Quite an awesome disc. Very impressed!

[Geoff]

Definitely one of the best 3 albums of the year so far (probably 3rd for me, at the moment). I was very impressed, but I expected to be more impressed. It's funny, I really like this, Eclipse and Care of Night, but all 3 first spin impressions were far less than anticipated. Maybe I built them up too much? I dunno? Nah, not really as I didn't have many expectations for Care Of Night. Not sure what it is, but the first spins this year so far are not great.

 

Looking forward to more spins and really getting into this. Some really cool drum work I noticed straight away.

[Nightrain]

For me, two spins in and this is around 85%, great but didn't blow me away instantly, probably gonna end up in the top 10 though

[Geoff]

For me, two spins in and this is around 85%, great but didn't blow me away instantly, probably gonna end up in the top 10 though

 

I'm still spinning and I think I know the "issue" with it. 'Turn back time' was the first song I heard from the album, and imo it is far and away the album highlight. In fact, if it's not my favourite song of 2015 I can't wait to hear what is. It is a truly killer track, and even though it's very good, the rest of the album just doesn't measure up to it.

 

Anyway, it's good AOR dressed in a ballsy suit and tie. Still love the drums (especially in said 'Turn back time') and I think it'll rate around the 80% mark too.

[gener8tr]

Y'all know I've been a fan of this one for a long time now, but I agree that's it's not nearly as special (for me, anyway) as something like the Blue Tears debut, or perhaps Metropolis "Power Of The Night" or even Atlantic "Power."

 

But that's because this isn't an overly polished, true AOR album... for me it's more of a "rock" album... like modern Journey as compared to "Raised On Radio," so it's not really fair to compare this one to any of the aforementioned titles, and I probably should not have... other than to specify what I mean what I mean by the word "special."

 

Anyway, Aldrich's guitar is the real winner here for me. So steady and melodic with incredible vibrato. The dude can flat-out play that Les Paul! Dare I say he's every bit as surgically precise as say, oh, Phil Collen. Now don't put words in my mouth... I know Collen should not be mentioned along-side the giants of the game, but as far as sheer precision, dude is incredible and never misses a single note. I wish he weren't such a wanker on stage now-a-days, however. That Jackson sustainer is a nice gimmick, but he relies on it FAR too often!

 

Probably a strong 88% for me. I wish Castronovo could go a register (is that the right term?) higher... and I also with he shared lead vocals a bit more with Blades. The tracks on-which he does are the best in my opinion.

[The Rocker]

Received mine today, 1 spin so far and I like what I'm hearing. As above mentioned, Aldrich really is the high light here for me also. For me 4 ballads is too many, 2 tops. I don't think the 4 ballads are bad, but just don't do anything for me, and I do like ballads so that's not it.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

I'm still waiting for this to arrive. I've listened to "Here Forever" so many times I lost count. I can't wait much longer.

[Geoff]

Received mine today, 1 spin so far and I like what I'm hearing. As above mentioned, Aldrich really is the high light here for me also. For me 4 ballads is too many, 2 tops. I don't think the 4 ballads are bad, but just don't do anything for me, and I do like ballads so that's not it.

 

Yeah, I love a good ballad as much as the next guy, but unfortunately they're basically the 4 weakest songs on the CD, more or less.

[Blue Charvel]

Really enjoying this one, in my top for the year thus far. Call me crazy but I get a real "Escape" era Journey vibe from it, which has always been my favorite Journey release, so an easy sell for me, especially when you add Doug's playing to the mix.

[The Rocker]

 

Received mine today, 1 spin so far and I like what I'm hearing. As above mentioned, Aldrich really is the high light here for me also. For me 4 ballads is too many, 2 tops. I don't think the 4 ballads are bad, but just don't do anything for me, and I do like ballads so that's not it.

 

Yeah, I love a good ballad as much as the next guy, but unfortunately they're basically the 4 weakest songs on the CD, more or less.

 

Yep

[The Rocker]

Really enjoying this one, in my top for the year thus far. Call me crazy but I get a real "Escape" era Journey vibe from it, which has always been my favorite Journey release, so an easy sell for me, especially when you add Doug's playing to the mix.

Yes, for me just a heavier Journey

[Glen]

 

Really enjoying this one, in my top for the year thus far. Call me crazy but I get a real "Escape" era Journey vibe from it, which has always been my favorite Journey release, so an easy sell for me, especially when you add Doug's playing to the mix.

Yes, for me just a heavier Journey

 

 

ie perfection ;-)

[AlphaMale]

I don't mind the 4 ballads at all. And I'm not really a ballad guy.

 

The rockers though steal the show IMO. Aldrich just smokes throughout. And I love Deen's voice. Killer disc.

[Nightrain]

I really like 'Dream On' which is very JOURNEY and that's one perfect track. 'Strangers To This Life' and 'Better World' are awesome as well. 'How To Mend A Broken Heart' and 'Turn Back Time' are awesome but not past the 9/10 mark, I agree the ballads are the weak point of this album and the weakest song is the one with Schon, but overall at least a nice score of 85% is warranted for this project. Great album and still good to have

[Glen]

Mmm I dont think Dream On is that much like Journey....not classic journey anyway - ie Perry era and before.

 

I know they wrote Dont Stop Believin but you find me one other inspiro rocker up to and including Raised On Radio.

[The Rocker]

So far my favorite is "Locked Out Of Paradise", just a great Melodic Rock song!!!

[Glen]

Strangers to this life

[KarpetRydOFunk]

...still waiting...

[AlphaMale]

...still waiting...

 

Worth the wait once it's in your hands!

[Glen]

 

...still waiting...

 

 

 

Worth the wait once it's in your hands!

I still havent received my disc.

 

Luckily with Amazon you can listen on the cloud from day one.

[The Rocker]

Strangers to this life

Great song!

[PeterS]

This one's a grower. Couldn't see what the fuss was about the first couple of listens but now on heavy rotate. Like it a lot.

[Nightrain]

Mmm I dont think Dream On is that much like Journey....not classic journey anyway - ie Perry era and before.

 

I know they wrote Dont Stop Believin but you find me one other inspiro rocker up to and including Raised On Radio.

 

Yeah I probably think the modern era of JOURNEY. But anyway, that's one hell of a track, super amazing !