Now, this is definitely a candidate for the Instagram group, AOR Sunday. Put together by Kansas’ Steve Walsh, guitarist Mike Slamer (ex-City Boy and the very underrated Steelhouse Lane), and bassist Billy Greer, this was the second of only two albums they originally released.
This is a very classy and well written record that the AOR crowd were lyrical about, and you can see why. Walsh’s voice is so good and complimented by the ripping guitar of Slamer, this is a classic of the genre. I’m not a fan of the old ballad as you by now, but Broken Glass is just superb. Epic vocal and melody, and Slamer’s guitar solo is sooo freakin’ good.
My favourite track is The Nightmare Begins. This song has the element of Prog added to the mix to lift it above the others. The main groove is superb and Slamer’s guitar sound is killer. I seriously think the label dropped the ball with theses guys as I’m sure Hit N’ Run would have made a great single if it was pushed right. It has everything that American radio were drooling over at the time. The same goes for I Can’t Wait, a superbly written tune that you can’t help to sing a long to. The production is so clear and crisp giving a punch to every song.
Seriously this is a top drawer album and a worthy addition to anyone’s collection.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
