Where would AOR be if it weren't for the Frontiers label? They released a real winner this year with "House of Dreams", the latest from the Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, TNT, etc) outfit called Sunstorm. After all these years, JLT still never ceases to please and is sounding incredible. Backed by some of the heaviest hitters in the genre, "House of Dreams" is an AOR fan's dream. Included in this ensemble is legendary Jim Peterik, who probably even takes his remarkably prolific songwriting pen into the john with him. He contributes on "Say You Will", "Gutters Of Gold", and "Tears On The Pages". Another songwriting master with strong melodic hard rock roots, Desmond Child, co-wrote the closing track "Walk On". The CD boasts outstanding musicianship (including members of Pink Cream 69), top of the line production, and a bold attitude to stick to a classic AOR sound rather than cater to today's trends (in other words, plenty of harmonic guitars, big drums, and keyboards). Helping the record to sound even more anachronistic: many of these songs are revamped versions from ones written years ago.
I like the fact that there are a decent number of uptempo rockers here, but it would not be AOR without your power ballads, so there are a few of these too. The CD is consistently good and plays well from start to finish. Standout tracks include "Divided", "I Found Love", "Forever Now" and the title track.
Sunstorm is highly recommended for fans of Jimi Jamison, Journey, Europe, or Hardline. Undoubtedly one of the best melodic rock releases of 2009, one that makes you think it is 1990 all over again.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10
Joe Lynn Turner on MySpace. Official site.
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