We are transporting ourselves to AOR heaven today with one of the genre’s forgotten classics. Fortune actually recorded their debut album in ’78, but then somewhat disappeared only to return in ’85/with this AOR classic. Think Toto crossed with Journey and you should get the picture.
There are a few syrupy ballads to contend with but the more uptempo melodic rockers do shine through. The Thrill Of It All opens up the album and is by far my favourite tune on the album. It has a nice, powerful riff and groove mixed with a killer hook and chorus, and you can see why they were signed. Dearborn Station could be a left over Journey song, with Larry Greene sounding like Steve Perry at times. Lonely Hunter, which opens Side 2 , is another one of the harder rockin’ tracks where the guitar sits front and centre, while the keys take more of a back seat.
The band seem to have the gift of being able to write a catchy hook and chorus at will, coupled with a crisp Kevin Beamish production, you can see why AOR fans rate this album highly.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
