With the release for the first time on CD of Cananadian melodic rockers TOTAL STRANGER early music, well worth to listen to the band’s ”second coming” material. This is the 2-CD release by Escape Music of the band’s 2002 studio album “Obsession“, including as bonus CD their 1997 self-titled album originally only available in Japan.
By this time, TOTAL STRANGER’s brand of melodic rock turned harder, sharper, ballsier, with a bright sound. 1997’s “Total Stranger” is plenty of hook-filled melodic hard rockers and a couple of AOR ballads in the Harem Scarem / Paul Laine vein, while “Obsession” (mixed & co-produced by Loverboy’s Paul Dean) delivers catchy songs, this time more mature in sound at places similar to Von Groove.
Fronted by Al Langlade – who always reminded me of Paul Laine and his time in Danger Danger – “Total Stranger” is full of hooks, melodies and synths in the vein of Von Groove, Harem Scarem, Tyketto, etc.
Apart from the pearl ‘Paradise’, you find the monster catchy ”Can’t Stop’, the infectious ‘Bed Of Lies’ (akin Hardline) and of course, another highlight for me, the stupendous ‘The Mask’. The latter is an awesome tune with that ’80s magic in the vein of King Kobra and Mark Free. Killer. On the softer side, ‘Shy away’ and ‘Nothin’s Missin’ are amazing ballads, yet with pulse and power.
For “Obsession” the band looked for a more varied sound, still melodic and with catchy numbers, on other we find more elaboration, worked arrangements. The title track, “Rising Sun”, “Mistaken Ways” are among our favorites.
Both albums are worthy addition to your melodic hard rock collection, especially the self-titled if you like the ’80s inspired material, while “Obsession” will please fans of the genre’s 2000’s sound.
Highly Recommendedday
Tracklist:
1996
1. Paradise 3:31
2. Bed of Lies 3:45
3. Shy Away 4:52
4. Can't Stop 4:26
5. Yesterday 3:54
6. Guardian 2:40
7. Can't Win for Losin' 3:54
8. Nothin's Missin 4:37
9. The Mask 3:54
10. Big Dream 3:47
11. Shoulder to Cry On 4:28
12. To the City 4:21
13. Paradise (acoustic version) 3:25
2002
1. Cream/Believe in Yourself 4:40
2. Obsession 4:18
3. Rising Sun 5:18
4. Life After Life 5:44
5. Erotic 6:21
6. Vision of the Very Young 5:34
7. Mistaken Ways 4:31
8. Hey You 3:39
9. Wildest Dreams 3:27
10. Little Somethin' 4:55
Band:
Al Langlade - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Andre Pelletier - lead guitar, acoustic guitar, back vocal
Rolly Saunlier - bass, back vocal
Peter Martin - drums
Jim Flynn - keyboards,guitar, back vocal (lead vocals on "Mistaken Ways")
Download:
Total Stranger – Obsession | Total Stranger [2CD] (2002) Lossless+MP3
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