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This is the third album from Alliance, featuring an all star line up of
musicians, Robert Berry, vocals (Hush, GTR), Gary Pihl, guitars (Boston,
Sammy Hagar), Alan Fitzgerald, keyboards (Nightranger) and David Lauser,
drums (Sammy Hagar). The first two albums just recently been combined
onto digipack, re-mastered, new artwork and eight (yep EIGHT!!) bonus
tracks have been added. 10 years on from the first album and is Road To
Heaven a more than worthy successor to the previous two albums we ask
ourselves.
The album starts off with the title track, 'Road
To Heaven', a mid-tempo tune with it’s keyboard
opening then Robert Berry bringing his strong vocals to the table. A
melodic chorus and Gary Pihl laying down a bluesy style solo.
'I
Can Breathe' is definitely a standout track on
here. Another mid-tempo song with a wonderful melodic singalong chorus.
This is one of those songs you’ll find yourself singing for days
afterwards. The whole feel of this song is one of driving down a long
road with the top down, the sun blazing and the music blasting.
Next up is 'Make A Stand',
a piano and acoustic guitar led tune with Robert’s emotive vocals pouring
from the speakers. Fitz supplies some beautiful keyboard touches on this
one.
As
soon as I heard 'Anything Goes'
I immediately thought of The Babys, I have all the albums and am a big
fan. This song has a strong rockin’ groove with a powerful vocal from
Robert and some big melodies.
Following on is 'Like It Like That',
is a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Bad English album. Robert has
that John Waite inflection in his vocals and phrasing (listen to So This
Is Eden from the Backlash album). This is a keyboard and guitar heavy song
that just seeps into the brain and features an off the wall keyboard solo
and some great wah-wah guitar.
'Broken
Glass' is another well constructed song, big
melodies and powerrful vocals but has a so-so feel about it.
Then we have 'We Don’t Talk'
with it’s keyboard and acoustic guitar intro before the big guitar sound
kicks in. Another well executed song with powerful vocals and a catchy
chorus.
And so to 'Comin’ Home',
the John Waite vocal phrasing is evident in the verse. Faster-paced than
Like It Like That, keyboard and guitar driven with a groove all the way
through, the melodies big and powerful.
'Nothin’
Else I Can Do' is up next, a mid-tempo tune
with some pounding drums. This song has a U2 feel about on the chorus and
some great bluesy solo guitar work.
'Walkin’
Away' features a great vocal performance from
Robert and some quirky keyboards from Fitz. Another strong song with
great melodies. This has a 38 Special feel to it from the era when Max
Cral was in the band.
The album continues with 'Remember Those Days',
another piece of 80’s aor radio friendly music, lots of melody and a
catchy chorus.
A
staccato keyboard and guitar intro ushers in Not Done Til It’s Done, this
is a strong song that will have you grooving and shaking your ass as you
walk down the street.
The album finishes with 'Much More Innocent'.
This song has a Springsteen groove to it but with a smoother and more
melodic vocal and lots of keyboards.
And that’s it in a nutshell folks. Every member of this band is a
consummate muscian, the songs are well constructed with flowing melodies
and catchy choruses, This is essential for those who like powerful melodic
vocals, strong guitars and lush keyboards. For me the standout tracks
have to be I Can Breathe, Make A Stand, Like Me Like That and Comin’ Home.
Grab a copy and listen for yourself.
*Review by Brassy |
