pier_paolo_farina

 ‘This still youthful "Quick..." from 1990 works great as a light and overly sentimental but classy product, somewhat jazz, somewhat soul, quite funky and quite electronic.’

 ‘The second is an irresistibly romantic ballad, arranged with grace and effectiveness, that makes up for the extreme sentimentality with a beautiful melody and a lush interpretation.’

Alfie Zappacosta’s 1990 album Quick! Don’t Ask Any Questions offers a classy blend of pop, jazz, funk, and electronic sounds. The album features elegant piano work, a fine classical guitar presence, and blue-eyed soul influences reminiscent of Hall & Oates and Simply Red. Standout tracks include the danceable 'Nothing To Do With Love' and the romantic 'Simple Word To Say.' Though somewhat sentimental, the album is musically rich and emotionally engaging. Listen to Alfie Zappacosta’s soulful blend of funk, jazz, and pop in Quick! Don’t Ask Any Questions and explore a hidden '90s gem today!

 Tom Scholz, the factotum of this group/project... has lost his mind, and this is now established.

 The banality of these eleven songs is unbearable for anyone who has in their ears the magnificence of invaluable sound architectures such as 'Long Time' and 'More Than A Feeling.'

This review harshly critiques Boston's 2013 album 'Life, Hope & Love' as their weakest effort, a far cry from their iconic 1970s records. While Tom Scholz remains central, the album suffers from uninspired songs, poor use of electronic drums, and lackluster guitar solos. Vocal performances fragment rather than unify, resulting in a disappointing and amateurish final product. The reviewer laments the fall from the band's pioneering AOR glory to a decline in creativity and quality. Discover why Boston's latest album disappoints fans and critics alike—read the full review and explore their classic hits!

 "'Send Her My Love' is forever recorded in the annals of American melodic rock where everything is perfect."

 "The album earns its four stars in the end thanks to its three ballads: this has often been the case in the works of this group."

Journey's 1983 album Frontiers marks the peak of their established sound with no lineup changes since Escape. Highlights include iconic ballads like 'Send Her My Love' and 'Faithfully' that showcase the band's melodic strengths. The album mixes thrilling hits with average tracks, maintaining a characteristic inconsistency found in their work. Overall, Frontiers earns four stars driven mostly by its powerful ballads and polished production. Dive into Journey's Frontiers and experience the timeless rock ballads and hits that define 80s melodic rock.

 Mudanzas has its own unique sound, recalling the 'analog' early seventies like perhaps no other.

 "I Believe It" is an orthodox but remarkable slow blues in minor key, punctuated by the full-blast orchestral blaring.

Stray's 1973 album Mudanzas offers an earnest second-tier British blues rock experience enriched with orchestral elements and a distinctive guitar sound. While the album lacks standout hits and strong vocal presence, its analog vintage production and the track "I Believe It" provide memorable moments. The record showcases the band's solid musicianship within its era, though it falls short of being a classic. Explore Stray's Mudanzas for a nostalgic journey through 70s blues rock with a rich orchestral twist and unique guitar sound.

 The fifth album by Journey isn’t much, but it sold very well at the time (1979), riding the positive wave of Infinity.

 Steve Smith is one of those simply perfect and incredibly eclectic drummers who can play everything and adapt to anything.

Journey's fifth album, Evolution (1979), represents a transitional phase for the band. While it didn’t reach the creative heights of its predecessor Infinity, it introduced key lineup changes, notably the arrival of drummer Steve Smith. Steve Perry’s dominance as lead singer grew stronger. The album includes the hit 'Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’,' which helped its commercial success. Though not a landmark in rock history, Evolution paved the way for the band's future breakthrough. Discover Journey’s pivotal Evolution album—listen to the classic hit and explore the band’s rise to rock greatness!

 The band reappears for the last time as a quartet, this time also trying to assess who has the most effective lead vocals.

 We are on the eve of a necessary turning point, the most important in their career because there would not have been a commercial chance for a fourth album structured in this manner.

Journey's third album 'Next' shows moments of progress but largely remains a mediocre blend of melodic hard rock with progressive and fusion influences. Vocal duties are split between Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon, with mixed success. The production and arrangements improve sporadically, though some instrumental excesses and rigid drumming detract. The album foreshadows the band's need for a new direction, which would come with their next release. Explore Journey's 'Next' to hear the early sound that paved the way for their breakthrough albums.

 “'Look Into The Future' is a guitar overflowing but lyrical and dense track, which alone earns the extra star that this work deserves compared to the debut.”

 “For now, Journey is a well-prepared but somewhat anonymous rock band, with a guitarist in definite prominence and little else to note on the record.”

Journey's second album, 'Look Into The Future,' shows improvement over their debut but still lacks major highlights. Neal Schon emerges as a talented guitarist, pushing the sound forward. Vocalist Gregg Rolie does his best but is limited as a frontman. The album mixes hard rock and fusion, borrowing influences but struggles with memorable hooks. Overall, a well-prepared but anonymous early effort foreshadowing better times ahead. Discover Journey's early sound and Neal Schon's breakout guitar work—listen to 'Look Into The Future' today!

 This debut work (we are in 1975) is really poor in content, lacking direction, pretentious.

 Thus, this is a record for only completists, die-hard fans, and the curious.

Journey's 1975 debut album is marked by uncertainty and a lack of clear direction. While showcasing technical skills and progressive elements, it falls short of the band's later polished sound. The album appeals mainly to die-hard fans and completists interested in the band's origins. Key members Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie were still developing their signature styles. Overall, it reflects a slow start before Journey achieved fame. Discover Journey's raw beginnings and witness the evolution of a rock legend—listen to their debut album now!

 "'Too' is a grandiose hard rock album, in the dramatic/melancholic style of the 'fall of the gods', filled with beautiful melodic ideas."

 "My personal and convinced cult for Kingdom Come, what else can I write to convince someone to think like me..."

Kingdom Come’s 2000 album 'Too' offers a powerful blend of melodic hard rock with influences from Metallica and AC/DC. Lenny Wolf’s vocals and guitar work anchor a dramatic, tension-filled atmosphere throughout. The album showcases a refined rhythm guitar approach and memorable riffs with minimal solo indulgence. Several tracks revive Wolf’s earlier work with Stone Fury, highlighting his consistent artistic vision. This record stands as a cult favorite for hard rock fans seeking thoughtful yet powerful music. Dive into Kingdom Come's 'Too' and experience a stellar blend of melodic hard rock and powerful riffs — a true cult classic worth exploring!

 "Cornerstone is one of their best outings: extremely enjoyable music for those who appreciate star-spangled glamour."

 "Dennis De Young must rightfully be considered one of the great and high AOR voices of America alongside Steve Perry and Brad Delp."

Styx's 1979 album 'Cornerstone' marks their confident move from progressive rock to accessible pop rock and AOR. Featuring a diverse vocal blend and standout tracks like 'Babe' and 'Borrowed Time,' the album showcases the complementary talents of Dennis De Young, Tommy Shaw, and James Young. Despite later career struggles, 'Cornerstone' remains one of their best and most enjoyable releases. Dive into Styx's 'Cornerstone' to experience the classic blend of rock, pop, and unforgettable vocals today!