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. read more

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. He wrote his autobiography in 2011. read more

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). read more

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 more

Adrian Vandenberg is back with the Moonkings (2014-02-22)

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Adrian Vandenberg
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Jan Hoving
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Sem Christoffel

In 2014 guitar player Adje ‘Adrian’ Vandenberg is finally back with a new album. And a new band, comprised of largely unknown youngsters. Singer Jan Hoving immediately catches the ears because he sounds a lot like David Coverdale. He used to be in the band that played as a support act in Tilburg for Whitesnake 2008 tour (video). No wonder Vandenberg contacted Hoving when the local soccer team FC Twente became national champion in 2011 and asked him to compose and play a song for the occassion. read more