ROUND-UP: MELODIC ROCK
Robbie LaBlanc Double Trouble ESCAPE MUSIC
Robbie LaBlanc has had a fascinating career. In and out of several early bands, the singer once posted a demo through the letter box of producer Arif Mardin, and was thrilled to be offered an audition for Atlantic Records. After it didn’t pan out, LaBlanc quit the entertainment world.
Eventually Frontiers Records revived his fortunes, first via the project Blanc Faces and then with Find Me, before he returned as part of East Temple Avenue. In an interview eight years ago, he marvelled: “I’m not even in the music business any more. I make a living from selling wine.”
The songs on this album were written by FM’s Steve Overland and prolific Swedish guitarist Tommy Denander (Alice Cooper, Jimi Jamison and more), who also handled the production. From the Survivor-esque Only Human to the harder-rocking Start Motor Running and Temptation’s soulful swing, LaBlanc sings exquisitely, reminding us why it would have been a huge loss for his talent to have faded into obscurity. ■■■■■■■■■■
Mark Spiro Travelling Cowboys FRONTIERS
Mark Spiro, whose songs have appeared on albums by artists including Heart, Cheap Trick and John Waite, returns with a record of his own. Except for the flamboyant VanderPump and featuring a duet with past client Julian Lennon on 7 Billion People, it’s a charmingly understated set that by the end sounds just a little bit too relaxed for its own good. ■■■■■■■■■■
Temple Balls Pyromode FRONTIERS
Album number three from these energetic young Finns, whose music surfs the cusp of anthemic hard rock and melodic metal. That their new label, Frontiers, brought in H.e.a.t, keyboard player Jona Yee, whose bright, colourful production plants a cherry on the cake, is of course not just coincidence. Melodic rock has rarely been performed with such hooliganistic vigour. ■■■■■■■■■■
JD Kelly Imperfect Heart AOR BLVD
The debut solo album from the vocalist with American cult favourites From The Fire, Imperfect Heart is an unusual yet appealing mix of covers of songs recorded by Terraplane, Cliff Richard, Tiffany and the late, great Benny Mardones, and classy original tunes. Kelly’s delivery is emotional and warm, and an easy, sunny vibe suggests summer isn’t too far away. ■■■■■■■■■■
Escape Fire In The Sky AOR HEAVEN
British band Escape have ended a threedecade hiatus caused by “geographical issues”. This set of re-recordings of material from guitarist Vince O’Regan’s days with Legion, Arabia and Bob Catley’s band now matches current audio standards, despite being made in lockdown. Highlights include the stirring Heroes In The Night and nineminute epic Fire In The Sky. ■■■■■■■■■■