When I run across music from the 80’s that I have never heard of, I always ask, “How did I miss that band?” I ask that same question in regards to the band Treat. How the heck did I miss this hard rock goodness?
I’ve been reading about their new album, Coupe de Grace, and how good it was. It hasn’t been released in the States yet, but I could get a taste of their back catalog with the album, Weapons of Choice. Whoa! These guys are awesome! Imagine Heart, mixed with a little Bon Jovi, mixed with some Kiss and Firehouse and some more modern hard rock of Harem Scarem or Pink Cream69. That’s what you get with Treat!
I will always refer to the 1980’s as the era in which the best music in the world was created. 80’s rock ‘n roll will always be my preferred music of choice. As the 90’s rolled around, grunge seemed to take over the world and all was bleak and hopeless.
Or so I used to believe. I’ve recently discovered that the 90’s was a great time of melodic rock; bands such as Pink Cream 69, Harem Scarem, Jaded Heart, Novella, and Mastedon were creating some unbelievably great music. It wasn’t the flashbang spandex big hair in your face rock of the 80’s, but a much more mature sound in which the bands took control of their music and craft.
I have recently “discovered” a band who call themselves Tall Stories. They released one self titled album in 1991 and another album entitled “Skyscrapers” in 2009. I downloaded the self titled album and was absolutely amazed. These guys were GOOD! This is an almost perfect melodic rock album.
A quick Google search reveals the following facts about the band:
Hailing from New York City, the band Tall Stories consisted of lead singer Steve Augeri, guitarist Jack Morer, bass player Kevin Totoian, and drummer Tom DeFaria. The band was generally dismissed as another slick, corporate-style rock act and had the misfortune of releasing their self-titled debut as grunge acts were breaking. The ill timing resulted in an album that sank without a trace despite garnering fairly strong support from the fading AOR format. Augeri went on to join Tyketto, but by the late ’90s, he had retired from music and was working in the maintenance department for the Gap chain in Manhattan. In 1998, he was tapped to replace Steve Perry as the lead singer for Journey.
There is some talent in this band! I’m waiting until payday so I can buy their 2009 album. If you love melodic, AOR style music, you’ll LOVE this band!!
Jeff Loomis – why have I never heard that name? I have been a metal fan for most of my life, and I love instrumental albums in the vein of Satriani, Vai, Johnson and Becker. Yet I have never heard of Jeff Loomis or his band Nevermore. I sure have missed out on some great music!
I have to give a shout out to Amazon.com’s recommendation feature. I was browsing through some music and Amazon thought I might like Jeff Loomis’ Zero Under Phase. Golly, were they right!
Zero Under Phase is a true heavy metal masterpiece. Heavy, thundering guitars that rip your face right off, fat bass lines and jammin’ drums – every song on Zero Under Phase is awesome. Don’t just take my word for it! Listen to two tracks from the album below:
[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/06%20Race%20against%20disaster.mp3?w=bea3fea7]
Track 6 – Race Against Disaster
[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/09%20Miles%20of%20machines.mp3?w=8148c6a5]
Track 9 – Miles of Machines
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