Author: Gerard

Pomp Rock, a sub genre overview

Oxford Dictionaries defines Pomp Rock as: “A genre of rock music, especially prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s, typically characterized by prominent keyboards and drums and heavy use of guitar effects, often regarded as bombastic or grandiose in its delivery.” Earliest use is attributed to British weekly pop/rock music newspaper Melody Maker in the 1970s.

The term was used mainly by the British music press to identify Symphonic/Progressive Rock played by American bands. In the US these bands usually were labeled as AOR.

Thus Pomp Rock is a sub genre of Symphonic/Progressive Rock. Kansas and Styx are the best known representatives, but there are a lot of more obscure bands that are also well worth checking out.

Missing link beween Symphonic Rock and Adult Oriented Rock

Before we elaborate on that, it’s interesting to note that Pomp Rock in a way is a missing link between Symphonic/Progressive Rock and AOR.… Read the rest

Adult Oriented Rock (AOR), a brief genre overview

Adult oriented rock (AOR) is a music genre that is characterized by a rich, layered sound, slick production and a heavy reliance on pop/rock hooks (rateyourmusic.com). This genre had its heyday in the early 1980s, but luckily it never really left since.

The genre most defining bands are Journey, Foreigner, Toto and Survivor.

Journey‘s 7th studio album Escape (1981) is essential.

Foreigner‘s 4th one, fittingly called 4, that came out in the same year as Journey‘s Escape is another essential AOR album, as is its successor Agent Provocator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS82LDXPqnM&index=4&list=PLlna-50p3WXtojzyekRcTMEx9lkIgSwQt

Toto‘s 4th album Toto IV (1982), not only proofs that at least some AOR bands at a certain point in time were not awfully inventive in the naming of their albums, but is also a true classic in the genre, that’s a perfect link between the sheer perfection and melodic quality of West Coast music and the power of Rock (courtesy of Steve Lukather).… Read the rest

Classic proto hard rock: Vanilla Fudge debut (1967)

Songwriting certainly isn’t the reason this LP is a classic. It consists entirely of half-speed covers and three short original instrumental compositions. The fact that the covers were played in a new, bombastic version however, makes it special. It’s an album that marks the start of a new era. The flower people were about to make place for Hard Rock. In 1967 the Fudge’s heavy version of You Keep Me Hangin’ On was a top ten hit in the US:

Vanilla Fudge was a big influence for bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. In 1969 the group broke up. Drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert formed the solid Hard Rock outfit Cactus and then Beck, Bogert And Appice with Jeff Beck. Lead singer and keyboardist Mark Stein turned up with the great Tommy Bolin and Alice Cooper.… Read the rest

For Danger Danger fans good things still came in two in April 2016

     

Last month some very interesting Danger Danger spin-off albums were released. The Defiants, (comprised of Danger Danger alumni including singer Paul Laine) debuted with a strong album. And a few days ago original (and current) singer Ted Poley released a new solo CD. For Danger Danger good things still seem to come in twos.

Two excellent pop rock debut albums (November 2015)

Space Elevator Album Cover

Though already released in March 2014, Space Elevator‘s debut album  is only recently available on iTunes. It contains excellent songs and very good performances of all artists involved, including veteran bass player Neil Murray and impressive singer The Duchess. If you like your AOR or Pop Rock classy, female fronted & with some theatrical hints this is definitely for you! Melodicrock.nl rating: 91/100.

Find out more about the album in an interview with guitarist David Young (of musical We Will Rock You fame).

To see some of the well done videos check out Space Elevator’s YouTube channel here. An example:

Another classy affair is the debut album of Cats In Space that came out in October 2014.

It features 70’s style Pop music that sounds like ‘E.L.O.… Read the rest

Noteworthy releases by three well known acts (November 2015)

Everyone who loves the classic Leppard sound of the 1980s will surely have a good time with Def Leppard‘s new album. They’re not breaking new ground but do what they do best and most of the magic’s still there. Melodicrock.nl rating: 80/100. The opening song:

Unfortunately the same can not be said of Bryan Adams new album, even though he teams up with songwriter Jim Vallence again after a long time. The album features short 1960s/70s style pop songs that are alright but nowhere near the sophisticated yet expressive melodic rock songs the tandem was famous for in the 1980s. Maybe expectations were to high. Let’s hope the collaboration lasts and that Adams employs a more rock oriented producer for the next album. Melodicrock.nl rating: 50/100.… Read the rest