The Swedish / American combo OSUKARU finally hit the streets with their full length debut album "Salvation".
Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Osukaru was founded by ex Eye / Katana guitarist Oskar 'Oz Osukaru' Petersson together with L.A. drummer Ryan Coyle.

They have already impressed the AOR community with the previous EP's 'GBG2LA' and 'Never Too Late', but when the band entered into studio to track down "Salvation", the singer left the band for personal reasons midway through the recording process.
But they found a more than adequate replacement in Chris Tiann (ex Dirty Dixx), as his powerful pipes and vocal tone really fits this material.
And what kind of material we have in "Salvation"? Just a wonderful bunch of fantastic classy AOR / MR tunes.

From the first sounds of the cool instrumental intro "Exit", you'll will be transported straight to the classic '80s rockin' AOR.
As on all the classic albums of the genre, the intro is chained with first track "Highway To The Stars," a huge radio friendly AOR tune to die for. The song hasn't a proper chorus, but the catchy refrain is driven by great rock-laden guitars and awesome keyboards.
Follower "Hot Blooded Woman" is more Melodic Rock oriented, with an insistent riff all over and a British scent. Same vibe is found on next track "City Lights", a re-worked song from the last EP, much more effective this time, thanks to Chris Tiann vocals to a great extent.
"Till The End Of Time" is the album's ballad, a midtempo filled with nice harmony vocals and a good melody that reminds me Danger Danger. A good one, although the production on this particular song doesn't match the rest, probably the music tracks come from a previous, different session.
"Never Too Late" is the first single, and one of the more melodic songs of the entire CD. This sweet melodic rocker has equal parts of guitar / keys, really well balanced to grab your ears instantly.

My favorite track on Salvation is the catchy "Change Of Heart (2012 version)". Appeared previously on one of the EP's, here clearly we can appreciate how much Osukaru has evolved musically. This is the best arranged and performed track of the album. It has all we love in a pure AOR tune; a fat bass / compressed drums, soaring vocals (reinforced by a dreamy background chorus), elegant guitar and phenomenal shynths. The even include a smooth saxophone line that adds more texture. A really great track and my pick of the album.
Then the band returns to the melodic hard rock sound with "Tear It Down". A marching rocker mounted over a very good drumming, strong guitars and swirling keyboards. On the chorus it turns more AOR 'fight-movie' style, bringing back the eighties in full form.

"Promised Land" is another winner, as this kind of AOR fueled by trepidating guitars and candy floss keyboards are gold in my book. The vocals are superb here, specially on the catchy layered chorus, and the rhythm guitar / solo are amongst the best of the album.
For the end, Osukaru goes acoustic and intimate with the likeable melody of "T.M.Y.S. [Elevator Version]", which is no other than a completely re-worked version of their song Tell Me You'll Stay.
As bonus, we have a good cover of Alien's classic "Tears Don't Put Out The Fire", recorded by Osukaru for the forthcoming "Brave New World: A Tribute To Alien" tribute CD.

I celebrate that in the mew millennium there's a band still playing classy AOR / Melodic Rock in its purest form. This is what Osukaru offers on "Salvation".
They have dramatically improved here the sound and musicianship from the previous EP's. This new vocalist is what the band needed and the arrangements really nails the point now.
In short, if you - like me - are a sucker for the lovely chorus/keyboard driven '80s AOR, you must have Osukaru's "Salvation".
Highly Recommended.

01 - Exit
02 - Highway To The Stars
03 - Hot Blooded Woman
04 - City Lights (2012 version)
05 - Till The End Of Time
06 - Never Too Late (2012 version)
07 - Change Of Heart (2012 version)
08 - Tear It Down
09 - Promised Land
10 - T.M.Y.S. [Elevator Version]
11 - Tears Don't Put Out The Fire (Alien Cover)

Oz Osukaru - guitars, backing vocals
Chirs Tiann - lead vocals
Emma-Lee Gunnari - bass
Ryan Cole - drums, percussion
Carl Dahlberg - keyboards, piano, Hammond organ

Guest Musicians:
Kristopher Von Wachenfeldt - keyboards
Erik Jardenmark - sax on "Change Of Heart" and "Promised Land"
David Neil Cline - right speaker guitar solo on "City Lights"
Alexander Strandell, Johan Bernspang, Martin Ryder - add. backing vocals
The Magic Eden String Quartet - strings

Download

album or mirror

Band Wild Rose
Info: Feel My Love
Style: Melodic Rock / AOR
Years: 2012
Info: MP3 CBR 320
Info: 8.3 ??
Upload: Depositefiles.com
Info: Greece

Brave New Love: A Tribute To Alien" (foto)
Download :

single

Band Face Face
Info: Childhood Dreams
Style: Melodic Rock / AOR
Years: 1993
Info: CBR 192 kbs
Info: 68,70 Mb
Info: Switzerland

Tracklist:

01 - Up To You.
02 - Two Of Us.
03 - Angel In My Heart.
04 - Childhood Dreams.
05 - The Little Lady.
06 - She's A Little Lady.
07 - Save The Night.
08 - Can't Stop Lovin' You.
09 - Love In The Rain.
10 - It's Magic.
11 - Screamin'.
12 - Human Touch.

Rip By: Werg-195

Download :

Unibytes.com

Band Orleans
Info: Waking And Dreaming
Style: Westcoast / AOR
Years: 1976
Info: CBR 256 kbs
Info: 75.43 Mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

01 - Reach.
02 - What I Need.
03 - If I Don't Have You.
04 - Waking And Dreaming.
05 - Sails.
06 - Still The One.
07 - The Burn.
08 - Golden State.
09 - The Path.
10 - Spring Fever.

Rip By: PublicBT.com

Download :

Unibytes.com

Band Winterkat
Info: The Struggle
Style: AOR
Years: 1984
Info: MP3 CBR 320 kbs
Info: 56.7 Mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

01 - Someone's Calling Out Tonight.
02 - Scared Hearts.
03 - Little Wing.
04 - The Struggle.
05 - Minute III.
06 - The Light Of Day.
07 - Life Of Changes (Bonus Track).

Rip By: Strappado

Download :

Turbobit.net

Band Jon Gibson
Info: Change Of Heart
Style: CCM / AOR
Years: 1988
Info: 192 kbps
Info: 55 mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

1. Yah Mo B There
2. The Wall
3. Friend In You
4. Change Of Heart
5. Lost Inside You
6. Man Overboard
7. Child Without A Name
8. Too Tough
9. Technology Man

Download :

Depositfiles.com
Turbobit.net

Band Billy Sprague
Info: La Vie
Style: CCM / AOR
Years: 1988
Info: 192 kbps
Info: 60 mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

1. I Gotta Hand It To You
2. What Goes Around Comes Around
3. La Vie
4. I Call It Love
5. Someone Is There
6. Heart Of The Infidel
7. You Can't Walk The Wire
8. The Ultimatum
9. If I Know Love
10. A Little Broken Bread

Download :

Depositfiles.com
Turbobit.net

Band Prism
Info: Small Change
Style: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
Years: 1981
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 132,21 Mb
Info: Canada

Tracklist:

01 - Don't Let Him Know.
02 - Turn On Your Radar.
03 - Hole In Paradise.
04 - Rain.
05 - When Will I See You Again.
06 - Heart And Soul.
07 - Stay.
08 - When Love Goes Wrong.
09 - In The Jailhouse Now.
10 - Wings Of Your Love.
11 - Cadillac Club.
12 - When Will I See You Again (2).
13 - Heart And Soul (2).
14 - Stay (2).
15 - Rain (2).
16 - N-N-N-No.

Rip By: Geshuk

Download :

Unibytes.com

Band The John Hall Band
Info: All Of The Above
Style: Melodic Rock / AOR
Years: 1981
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 102.68 Mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

01 - You Sure Fooled Me.
02 - Crazy (Keep On Falling).
03 - Can't Stand To See You Go.
04 - Star In Your Sky.
05 - Somebody's Calling.
06 - What You Do To Me.
07 - Earth Out Tonight.
08 - The Touch.
09 - Don't Hurt Me.
10 - Clouds.

Rip By: PublicBT.com

Download :

Unibytes.com

Band In Mynd
Info: In Mynd
Style: Melodic Rock / AOR
Years: 1995
Info: MP3 CBR 320 kbs
Info: 102.28 MB
Info: USA

Tracklist:

01 - Still In Mind.
02 - Summer Nights.
03 - Let You Down.
04 - In The Air.
05 - Over My Head.
06 - Find The Feeling.
07 - Chain Of Events.
08 - Turn It Around.
09 - Psychadelic.

Rip By: FileTram

Download :

Turbobit.net

Band Stone Fury
Info: Let Them Talk
Style: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
Years: 1986
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 91,38 Mb
Info: USA

Tracklist:

01 - Too Late.
02 - Lies On The Run.
03 - Let Them Talk.
04 - Babe.
05 - Eye Of The Storm.
06 - Doin' What I Feel.
07 - Let The Time Take Care.
08 - I Should Have Told You.
09 - Stay.

Rip By: Zak Stevens

Download :

Turbobit.net

Band Air Supply
Info: Lost In Love
Style: Soft Rock / AOR
Years: 1980
Info: CBR 320 kbs
Info: 130.19 Mb
Info: Australia

Tracklist:

01 - Lost In Love.
02 - All Out Of Love.
03 - Every Woman In The World.
04 - Just Another Woman.
05 - Having You Near Me.
06 - American Hearts.
07 - Chances.
08 - Old Habits Die Hard.
09 - I Can't Get Excited.
10 - My Best Friend.
11 - Lost In Love (Original Australian Version).
12 - Empty Pages.
13 - Love & Other Bruises.

Rip By: BVstudio

Download :

Unibytes.com

The iconic American songwriter Mark Spiro is back with his sixth solo album "It's A Beautiful Life".
Between AOR circles Spiro is a star, but his name, solo career and songwriting contributions are pretty unknown for major rock audiences, although all of you have already listened at least one of the magical melodies coming from his pen.
For starters, Mark has co-written songs for Bad English, Heart, Winger or REO Speedwagon to name a few. Seven out of eleven songs from Giant's classic 'Last Of The Runaways' (including the immortal 'I'll See You In My Dreams') are penned by Spiro together with the Huff bros.

That said, Spiro is a master in the songwriting department, and an accomplished singer / musician as well.
On his solo albums, and "It's A Beautiful Life" isn't an exception, Spiro's style towards to AOR / Melodic Rock sounds, but also to classic Americana blended with Classic Rock.
The majority of the songs consist of sweet melodies plenty of pulsating acoustic guitar chords and clean instrumentation, with occasional keyboards and some strong electric six-string riffs.
The focus is very clear - and that's indeed the singer / songwriter feeling of - his voice. This voice belongs to you as it comes from a relaxed, smiling mouth - "It's A Beautiful Life" is not just the title, but also the theme of the album.

The CD starts with the title track "It's A Beautiful Life", a smooth, radio friendly melodic rock song with a striking chorus. "I know who I love" has a more contemporary beat combined with acoustic guitars.
"Come Back To Me" is one of the highlights. An outstanding song with a catchy refrain and an infectious melody.
The disc gets more relaxed with the mid-pacer delicate melody of "Love Struck Dumb", an elegant Americana song with tons of class.
Another highlight for me is the "Go Another Mile", an irresistible radio rocker with solid guitars and superb songwriting.
"Dance The Lonely Spotlight" is a West Coast oriented tune driven by a pulsating bass line, adorned with nice keyboards. The sweet harmony vocals are cleverly arranged and performed.
On "Might As Well Be Me" Spiro adds more electric guitars to the mix. It's a good and simple rock song with a catchy chorus. "Dream Big, Pray Hard" has a very commercial feeling ala Bryan Adams, followed by the beautiful pop/rocker "Everything I Do" which features a contagious harmonic cadence.

"It's A Beautiful Life" conjures the best of the classic AOR, West Coast and Adult Contemporary styles into one CD. But not with the typical bombastic & lush sound of the genre, just with Spiro's personal approach.
This is a man with absolutely nothing to prove. He has written and performed everything on this disc, which oozes quality.
All these songs are beautifully crafted, the whole album has a crisp, sharp, clear sound and the guitar work and indeed the likeable vocals from Spiro himself are immaculate.
"It's A Beautiful Life" is another fine piece of music from one of the best rock songwriters ever.
Really Good.

01 - It’s A Beautiful Life
02 - I Know Who I Love
03 - Come Back To Me
04 - Love Struck Dumb
05 - Go Another Mile
06 - Dance The Lonely Spotlight
07 - Might As Well Be Me
08 - Brand New Beautiful Day
09 - Dream Big, Pray Hard
10 - Everything I Do
11 - A Beautiful Mistake (bonus track)

Mark Spiro – Everything
John McLennon – Guitars on 7, 10

USA
AOR / WC / AC

Download By SandFord

album or mirror