Hiya Kurt,

I think the John Taglieri is quite good...as well as Brian Mcdonald...super smooth Leppardish AOR! Yeah!!!

But I can't agree about Mars Electric...there was so much hype about this album but it's no wonder the band aren't breaking any new ground...if you want to bring "back" melodic hard rock (which I hope never happens as the major labels ruin any music they get their hands on), you must have some "personality" to the band/music....someone who can command a big following

For example people like Steve Perry and Rick Springfield who were not only great musicians but also very charismatic and were able to draw a large audience based on their "personality"

Until that happens...I am very content listening to the many quality AOR releases from the independent European labels...Portrait has yet to release anything of any merit

Cheers

Vince

sfk kurt wrote:
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Personally I dont think there's been that many good AOR releases (though a ton of GREAT power pop). So, the 5 best melodic rock (in this site's sense):

Kharma
Jon Taglieri
Storyteller
Brian McDonald
Vaughan

If I can throw some power pop in:

Sister Hazel (probably the best album this year)
Mars Electric
Neve
Wonderland (think a modern day Queen!)
Hanson