CD REVIEWS

LOVE, LIFE & HOPE by Boston
(Frontier Records)

Extremely fresh, purely awesome, and retaining the classic sound all at once is Boston's 6th album called 'Love, Life & Hope'. Boston's trademark excellent guitar work, loud drums, cool synthesizer and organ play, and, of course, strong lead and harmony vocals are all present. Nothing's changed. All of these earlier aspects of Boston's success are evident on this album as well. Tom Scholz and his band have once again combined all of these factors into this album, and the result is a combination of great rock and roll songs. Vocalists on the album include the late Brad Delp (R.I.P.), Kimberley Dahme, David Victor formerly of Velocity, Tommy DeCarlo and Tom Scholz himself. Songs such as "Heaven on Earth", "Didn't Mean to Fall In Love", and the title track, ."Life, Love & Hope" showcase the great guitar, synthesizer, and drum work which made Boston famous. All eleven tracks are solid. All were recorded to analogue tape on the same machines and equipment used for band's hits for the past 35 years.' Boston will never be able to top their classic debut and near-perfect follow-up 'Don't Look Back'. But this is a damn good album. The guitar solos really stand out and the playing is fierce. It rocks a lot harder than 'Corporate America'. I was worried about the loss of Brad Delp on vocals, but Kimberley Dahme, David Victor, Tommy DeCarlo and even Tom do an outstanding job. All in all, 'Life, Love & Hope' is a must for any Boston fan and highly recommended for anyone who has a good taste in rock music. Welcome back Tom! - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

WESTERN SAND, Ep by Western Sand
(Independent Release)

UK rockers, Western Sand are on a mission. They intend on putting Rock n' Roll and the south of England back on the map! Judging by what the band has served up on their self titled debut EP I'd say they are well on their way in making that happen. Western Sand re-defines southern rock for a modern audience. By any standard, this band is unconventional they take the larger than life essence of classic rock and modernize it with a driving attack that is equal parts classic and modern hard rock. There are very few new bands out right now that sound this powerful or versatile. They may have that hard and heavy vibe, but make no mistake Western Sand is southern rock to the core. The band is made up of, Tyler Hains on electric guitar & lead vocals, Jimmy Bradshaw on electric guitar, Findlay Hotchkiss on bass & vocals and Nathan J. Kay on drums/percussion & vocals. While there are echoes of the past in their music that recalls Led Zeppelin and they have an honesty often associated with bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Crowes it merely acts as a foundation for their music. From the opening swagger of "A Place I Call Home", to the down right dirty groove of, "Take It Away", it's obvious these lads known how to throw down when it comes to kicking out the jams! The last two tracks, "Broken Bones", "Welcome To The Badlands" finish off the short but rocking experience. Bottom line, Western Sand is a four-piece, southern hard rock revival band loaded with guitars that rage and a shuddering rhythmic attack that will rock you for days. Western Sand comes highly recommended to any classic rock or southern rock music fan. A refreshing new band that has a great future ahead of them. I'm pretty sure you'll be hearing from these lads for a very long time to come! - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

MORE CATASTROPHE, Ep by Outloud
(Bad Reputation Records)

When the Greek-American melodic hard rock band Outloud broke out in 2009, Chandler Mogel, guitarist/keyboardist Bob Katsionis, guitarist Tony Kash and drummer Mark Cross joined by bassist Sverd Soth, had one objective in mind and that was to make the music world take notice. They did that with the release of their self titled debut. The album took the rock music by storm and was considered by many as one the best releases in 2009. In 2011 the band released their sophomore album, 'Love Catastrophe', with the same results as their acclaimed debut. Which brings us to 'More Catastrophe', which features left over tracks and a few other odds and ends from the 'Love Catastrophe' sessions. "Saints On Fire", kicks things off. A melodic rock gem that is straight forward and very catchy. The next two tracks, "Cross The Line" and "Mr. Long Gone", both also from the 'Love Catastrophe' sessions are upbeat movers that are rock solid. The Christmas theme gem, "The Last Days Of Christmas", a heartfelt ballad that will pull at your heart strings. The Flamenco version of "Falling Rain" is up next. A smooth mover that sounds amazing. From the band's debut, an amazing piano version of, "We Run". I mentioned odds and ends. The band serve up, "El Foco", sung in Spanish, which sounds great. The last two tracks, "W.F.Y.L" (Waiting for Your Love) an acoustic version of the song from the 'Love Catastrophe' sessions and "Lovesigh 2012" finish off the album...but hold on! There's even 'More Catastrophe'. There is a HD video of, "Waiting For Your Love". If you are a fan of Outloud, this Ep is a must. If your a fan of good melodic rock music , I would recommend you check out the band's first two albums and get caught up. These guys will have you rocking and rolling from the first note to the last note. Great stuff. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access


ROAD NOT TAKEN by Iron Bridge Band
( Messej Media)

The debut release, 'Road Not Taken' by Iron Bridge Band is pure melodic rock gold! The key element to the success of Iron Bridge Band is creating a modern rock sounding opus while pushing the genre into the future, with powerhouse rhythms and top notch production making it a classic and contemporary release. Every song has that vintage classic rock vibe, and every aspect from the songwriting to the musicianship to the vocals to the production is absolutely top notch. Iron Bridge Band is Chandler Mogel on vocals, Steve Walsh on guitars, Lanie Suky on bass and Scott Suky on drums. 'Road Not Taken' is a record that should be getting heavy rotation on American FM rock radio stations. In my opinion, it's as good if not better than just about anything on the Billboard Top 100 Rock Albums right now. Vocalist Chandler Mogel does a simply flawless job of delivering everything a rock record needs: power, melody, and soaring energy. Whether it is the outstanding rhythm section on amazing songs like "Thunder In A Sacred Place", "Best Wine" , "Petticoat Road" or the heartfelt "Wildflower" to the rocking "Smokin' Gun". One thing is for sure, listening to this album will be a memorable one. The production is incredibly clear, it's obvious that the band put their hearts and souls into every song.
With 'Road Not Taken', the Iron Bridge Band has made it perfectly clear , they are here to stay for the long run. If you like melodic rock you NEED this album in your collection. There have been some really good melodic rock releases so far this year but with 'Road Not Taken', Iron Bridge Band makes a strong case for being on the top of the "Best of 2013" list. This is a must-have melodic rock album any way you look at it. If you like melodic rock - old, new, European, American, whatever, you owe to yourself to check out 'Road Not Taken' by Iron Bridge Band. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

FORGIVE & REGRET by Beautiful Strangers
(Vandalize Records)

Beautiful Strangers are a five piece rock band from The UK. They are, Stuart Dade Davies on vocals, Michael James and Richie Lewis on guitars, Jon Roach on bass and David Davies on drums. If you like rock that has a meaning other than just trying to make money then you'll enjoy the band's debut release, 'Forgive & Regret'. It is always great to hear a new coming on the scene band playing their own songs and not stuff written by an outside song writer. The band open their album with the stimulating rocker, "Junkie" where the stage is set for the rest of the album in the form a great mix of straight ahead in your face badass attitude rockers like, "Kick Me When I'm Down", "Shame, Shame, Shame" and groove laden swagger of, "Damaged Goods". As well as delivering melodic gems as in, "I Can't Lie" and "Another Thing". Very impressive first outing. The Beautiful Strangers promise to be one of the hottest new rock bands to arrive on today's rock music scene. Delivering a rock sound full of power and groove with lots of hooks and a great doses of melody that sounds refreshingly original yet classic. So, if you like no-frills hard rock, check out Beautiful Strangers and get your hands on their debut, 'Forgive & Regret' and crank it up for all it's worth. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Definitely looking forward to hearing what these lads come up with next! Cheers Gents for a job well done! - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

NINE LIVES by Von Hertzen Brothers
(Universal Music)

The Von Hertzen Brothers are back with their latest release, 'Nine Lives', the band's fifth. For those new to the Von Hertzen Brothers, the band is made up of , Mikko Von Hertzen - vocals, guitar , Kie Von Hertzen - guitar and vocals, Jonne von Hertzen - bass and vocals, Mikko Kaakkuriniemi - drums and Juha Kuoppala on keyboards. They have huge fan base overseas and are hoping to make a buzz here in America with their latest outing. 'Nine Lives' is completely satisfying from beginning to end. It is quite diverse and incredibly successful in all the areas which it explores. Rock anthems like, "Insomniac" "Coming Home" will make you just want to get up and rock out along with the Brothers Von Hertzen. While more melodic numbers like, "Flowers and Rust" and "One May Never Know" are sure to move you. Then there is, "The World Without" and "Prospect For Escape" that shows a progressive side to the brother's musical repertoire. The diversity in the way the brothers deliver their musical vision is what attracted me to them in the first place. Musically it is impossible to pigeon hole this band of brothers. They are a rock band, but they also have that progressive rock vibe about them as well, but that's not really a genre that is capable of being defined. Think of a swirling stew of influences blended together to concoct something palatable, aromatic, and biting. Everything combined creates something completely different. If I were to draw a comparison I would say they sound like Porcupine Tree with hints of Brian Wilson and Queen harmonies. I know, it sounds odd but somehow it makes perfect sense. Although their music embraces so many unique rhythms and abstract scales, there is something special about the Von Hertzen Brothers that makes them approachable and intriguing. If your up for something adventurous that challenges your expectations, give the Von Hertzen Brothers a listen. And if you know any music fans who are sick of commercial music, point them in the Von Hertzen Brother's direction. Chances are, they won't be disappointed. And neither will you. - Highly Recommended
Tony aka The Atomic Chaser @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

DIG by Heaven &,Earth
(Quatro Valley Records)

A legit contender for "Rock Album Of The Year" has emerged in the form of ,'Dig' by Heaven & Earth. Powered by Stuart Smith on guitars, Joe Retta on vocals, Chuck Wright on bass, Richie Onori on drums and Arlan Schierbaum on keyboards. H&E have their sights on resurrecting the sanctity of classic rock music and rocking the masses in the process. This is the band's third effort and in my opinion the best the band has ever sounded. Produced by Dave Jenkins who’s turned the knobs for everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power. 'Dig' is pure classic rock. It's fresh and vigorous. The sonic wall of classic rock sounds full of energy and is wrapped around amazing songs and tasteful production. From the moment you press play H&E go in for the kill with the majestic mover,"Victorious', a powerful rocker that draws you in and prepares you for the rocking experience that awaits. "No Money, No Love" is up next and pulls no punches! A straight ahead mover in the vein of Deep Purple meets Rainbow. The immensity of the music in crafting the songs gives this album a sense of the sum being greater than all of its parts. Heaven & Earth have come together and created a album that without a doubt is destined to become a true rock classic . Twelve tracks in total not a weak track among them. Stuart Smith provides a lot of energy and passion with his signature guitar technique. His guitar playing sounds as fresh and energetic as ever. Joe Retta' s vocals are simply superb while the rhythm section of Chuck Wright and Richie Onori give the band it's rock solid foundation. Let's not forget, Arlan Schierbaum on keyboards, a true wizard whose playing reminded of a mix between Tony Carey and Keith Emerson. What Heaven & Earth have done with 'Dig' is re-awaken the true spirit of the old masters. Bands like Rainbow, Whitesnake and Deep Purple made history with their classic albums. In the 21st Century there needs to be a new messenger to carry the torch and amaze a new generation of rock music fans. Messengers like Heaven & Earth, who have it all: experience, personality, and amazing musical skills undoubtedly on a world-class level. 'Dig' should be mandatory to be on the shelf of anyone that likes rock music. Yes it's that good. - Highly Recommended
The Atomic Chaser @The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine