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Hardline is a project of the former child prodigy Neal Schon. The guitarist had just left Bad English and, inspired by listening to future brothers-in-law Johnny and Joey Gioeli, respectively vocals and guitar, he decided to reprise the successful formula. To complete the line-up, the indispensable Deen Castronovo on drums and Todd Jensen on bass were enlisted.
The group’s debut album is titled "Double Eclipse," released in 1992, and it is one of the cornerstones of 90s AOR. Nothing new under the sun. It's a rock that combines energy and instrumental sophistication. Melodiousness combined with power. This work, nearly two decades later, remains damn fresh and current, embellished by truly refined and never banal arrangements.
Castronovo's thunderous drumming introduces "Life's a Bitch", an energetic and compelling opening track that culminates in a finale dominated by intense and lightning-like guitar. It is followed by the stately and powerful "Dr. Love," supported by an enveloping riff that preludes an inspired solo by the ever-present Schon. The subsequent "Rhythm from a Red Car" is instead a faster piece, with roaring guitars and radio-friendly melodies. The rhythm is broken by the passionate ballad "Change of Heart," which runs along the tracks of the most vivid AOR, exalting the voice and emotional interpretation of singer Johnny Gioeli. The energy returns with the following "Everything," the first of the tracks composed in collaboration with ex-Journey Jonathan Cain, characterized by a catchy chorus. "Taking Me Down" is another urgent and pressing song, with a refrain where the guitar mimics the voice. The album continues with the hit "Hot Cherie," a cover of Sweetheart, which is introduced by atmospheric keyboards and then develops into inspired and driving hard rock. Probably the best of the bunch. A pounding bass introduces "Bad Taste," a track with an almost rock'n'roll pace. The subsequent "Can’t Find My Way" is a refined ballad, with the usual masterful performance of the frontman and a motif that becomes indelibly etched in the mind.
The second track signed by Jonathan Cain comes with the mid-tempo with folk shades "I’ll Be There." The brief and melancholic acoustic instrumental "31-91" preludes the last track of the album, "In the Hands of Time," a dramatic and solemn ballad, accompanied by Schon’s acoustic.
And so this work will also be left in the hands of time. We are in the middle of the grunge period, the new cultural revolution, and AOR is music at the opposite ends. Melodies of times gone by. The group disbands after some tours with Van Halen, Extreme, and Mr. Big. And the admirable singer Johnny Gioeli will join the band of guitar hero Axel Rudi Pell. The reunion attempts in 2002 and 2009, without Neal Schon’s participation, do not revive the band's fortunes. Leaving us with this small but brilliant gem. And it's not a little.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Life's a Bitch (04:21)
Here comes daddy with the strap again
Toward my backside with the buckle end
Sing it, yeah, yeah, yeah... Life's a bitch
He said "I'll teach you something about the back of my hand
School can't teach you how to fight like a man"
Sing it, yeah, yeah, yeah... Life's a bitch
I can hear myself screaming out the backdoor, yeah
And I'm numb from the healing, I can't take no more
I can't take no more
[Refrain:]
Poor man poor, rich man rich
Hang on baby, cause life's a bitch
My old man waits up, it's a quarter to three
Smells my breath as he's talking to me
Sing it, yeah, yeah, yeah... Life's a bitch
In comes mama with her golden rules
Sayin' me and the boys are just dreamin' fools
Yeah, yeah, yeah
And I catch myself dreaming of the wild side, yeah
And life's wheels are spinning, gonna be one bumpy ride
Well oh yeah
[Refrain]
One step up
Two in the ditch
Hang on baby, cause life's a bitch
02 Dr. Love (05:31)
In the middle of a deep dark night
Your body's soaked in sweat
Well outside it's cold as ice
But you're burning up the bed
You've got a nasty little fever and it's climbing up high
Nothing you can do to stop the aching inside
I can relieve you, you know that I could
You've got it bad, baby I'll make it good
[Refrain:]
Hang on to Dr. Love
I've got what you need
Baby just call me
Hang on to Dr. Love
My love will set you free
(Just for one night gonna make it alright)
Your pretty head in spinning 'round
Your heart beats out of time
I'm gonna wear your body down
With what's been on your mind
You've got a dirty little secret and it's killing you slow
Nothing you can do to cool the fire down below
I can relieve you with a touch of my hands
I'll feed the fever, baby I am your man
[Refrain]
Time is the healer so they say
Don't you believe you can wait
You need me right away
The night is dark, as dark as shame
But I will heal you, treat your pain
Until you call my name
04 Change of Heart (04:42)
I can feel the time is slipping
And there is nothing I can do to get through to you
Night after night, fight after fight
Is every inch of hope gone, or is it hiding in you
Through the laughter there's always been pain
There's only heartache and no one's to blame
[Refrain:]
I feel the change of heart
Burning inside me
It tears us apart
I feel the change of heart
Not a word that you can say
Could change yesterday
Sometimes words don't come out easy
Though we try and try again, the hurt never ends
Maybe we'll learn to love tomorrow
It's my heart I've got to follow more faithfully
I can't stay another day
I've been living a lie in hope
And I'm praying there's a way
[Refrain]
You know we have tried
I have nothing to hide
There's no you and I
Yeah, stop talking about love
You're everything I wanted
You're everything that I need
[Refrain]
05 Everything (03:55)
Well we've come this far, it should last forever Something here so strong, it's holding us together Everything I do, well I do for you I didn't mean to let you down And if I lose control somehow you'll always know That I'll come back around I've got this feeling, I can't shake it, alright Hey baby, hey baby Can't let you walk away [Refrain:] Cause you're everything I want You've got everything I need I can't get over you No matter what I do You're everything to me Like a shot to my heart, girl you keep me going Everything you touch, girl you give so much My love is overflowing I've got this fever, I can't break it, alright Hey baby, hey baby Now don't you walk away [Refrain] There's a message in your eyes That keeps telling me you're mine I know you want to stay, can't let you slip away You're everything... yeah, oh yes you are You've got this hold on me, it's stronger every day You're the heart that beats in me, can't let you walk away
07 Hot Cherie (04:47)
Been too long since the last rain
Still the stars sizzle hot in the sky
And there, undressed in the shadows
Stands my sweet Cherie hiding from July
And all night you kept me up, up all night
Hoping that I could make you mine
[Refrain:]
You're getting me hot, Cherie
I want what you've got all over me
Isn't my love strong enough
I'm ready to rock you long and rough
You're getting me hot, Cherie
I want what you've got all over me
I'm going crazy
I can't wait for October
When the breeze from the lake, she's blowing cold
Well maybe she'll need me for some shelter
When the campfire dies and the tall tales have been told
And all night I've been working overtime
Hoping that I could make you mine
[Refrain]
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