| AOR LA Attraction | MTM Music 0681-153 |
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French soft rock master Frederic Slama can always be relied upon to deliver a silky smooth album mixing Westcoast pop and easy going AOR. The moniker of his long running project reflects the very nature of the music he delivers – pure AOR. On this occasion, Frederic has teamed with pal Tommy Denander for a more collaborative effort. That means that Denander delivers much of the album's guitar work, programming, keyboards and also bass parts. No surprise then that this album is dominated by Tommy's trademark production style and guitar sound. Joining the duo on this record is Tommy's new pal Phillip Bardowell, who he did an album with in 2005 and who also guested on Tommy's current Radioactive album. So who's album is this? Is this a new AOR album, or a new Denander album? Well, AOR is the name on the marquee, but this latest album is more Denander than anything else. The 5 lead vocals delivered from Phillip Bardowell are all but a sequel to the duo's great 2005 In The Cut release. While the album delivers some tasteful examples of silky smooth Westcoast/AOR, it is these 5 tracks that stand out from the pack. How Could I Forget Her is a nice uptempo melodic rocker, while the uptempo, but heartfelt Like An Open Book is an album highlight and is as good as any track from the In The Cut release. Bardowell also sings on I Won't Give Up On You, Last Chance At Love and LA Winds. Of the non Bardowell sung tracks, One More Chance stands out as the best. The J. Lynn Johnson sung Westcoast track is as smooth as they come and features a strong, memorable chorus. Johnson also appears on The House Of Love, which is another strong track. Give A Little Love is somewhat of a u-turn for the album stylistically, featuring the soulful R&B of vocalist Dane Donohue. Classy Westcoast for those that live for the pink and fluffy. Guest musicians are always part of the AOR legacy and on this release we see Steve Lukather, Rick Riso, Peter Friestedt, Michael Landau, David Williams and more featured. Sadly the very sparse liner notes offer no details of their parts or particular songs, so it will left to guess work to figure out these guest spots.
I personally prefer the previous releases LA Reflection and Dreaming Of LA, but there remains good consistency with the AOR name.
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10/04/06: yulog - mdulrich@cox.net
02/03/06: mark ridout - mridout1@rogers.com
19/02/06: Stefan Weegink - Americafan1@hotmail.com
13/02/06: Chris - aorlover@hotmail.com
11/02/06: restless one - petermay@adam.com
11/02/06: Freddy De Keyzer - freddk100@hotmal.com
09/02/06: colin - dolphin3@free.fr
Rating: 10
this is by far some of the weakest music i have listened to in a while everything about this cd is sub par it reminded me of an 80's garage band that never made it very bland singing songwriting i was really unimpressed
Rating: 89
This CD is much better than I expected, but that is because it has a harder edge, which is welcomed. The problem is the some of the vocals are weak, Bardwell is great though. The sound and production are quite good and Tommy sounds great on guitar.
I really enjoyed the instumental version of Lost in your eyes
Hint for the next one, keep the harder direction, but use better vocalists!
Rating: 5
Bad Very bad... no words to describe it... the last 2 tracks are the only good tracks.... don't buy this album... they better could re-release those 1984 album 'SECRET OBSESSION' and the 1992 album 'L.A RENDEZ-VOUS' still waiting and hoping for the albums... all albums are ok but this is so f*cked up...AOR (this popgroup/project)is a westcoast-project... no AOR Project.. they have never put Bardowell on vocals (worst vocal ever heard on the aor discography)
Rating: 92
The 6 first songs of this cd are pure aor genius! a mix between Preview ,Franke & the knockouts ,I-ten, Stan Bush & Toto ! it's exactly the music we all loved in the early 80's with a great production and killer arrangements by mastermind Tommy Denander.Frederick Slama 's previous efforts were great but it lacked some power and were more for the westcoast music afficionados ! the rest of this album is quite cool too but less spectacular than the 6 first songs ! Track 9 "last chance at love" is also as good as any Tommy Denander or Survivor releases !
And i can't stop listening to the fabulous instrumental "lost in your eyes " with luke : great music while driving.
This new AOR is far better than the latest Toto album and it should deserve our full attention !
Rating: 80
The phillip bardowell song " Like an open book" is by far the standout song on this cd. I can't get the song out of my head,its that catchy! This ones as good as any of the standout tracks on 'In the cut'. Check it out- Superb.
Rating: 85
On par with Catley and O'Haro, and just behind Proto-Kaw and Ambition, but another goodie that beats Toto IMO !
I have to agree with colin, it's their best yet !
Very good AOR, not as good as Bardowell, but certainly worth your attention if you love good melodic songs !
And if you see the people involved the only question is : how can you go wrong with such a strong line-up ! ?
And they don't go wrong, I can assure you !
Goodie ! Check it out !
Never been so positive with my ratings in years for the start of a new year (only Ten disappoints me).
Rating: 95
One of the great surprise of 2006! fantastic songs and production by Slama & Denander!it has nothing to do in terms of sound & writing with the great bardowell album produced by Denander but it's a great mix between Ambition,Radioactive and the TOTO cd's (joseph williams era) ! it's a lot more rock than Slama's previous efforts and the solos by Steve Lukather , Landau ,Slama & Denander are the best i've heard in a long time in a melodic rock cd ! the previous Slama's were fine westcoast but this one is far better than the previous ones !
with Ambition & TOTO , certainly the best 2006 cd and way underated!
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