DEPARTURE is the brainchild of American songwriter / guitarist / keyboardist Mike Walsh who has a vast experience in the music industry. Over the years he was part of numerous projects, such as Mark Thompson-Smith (Praying Mantis) and Dean Fasano’s Message. Mike has also worked with Bon Jovi over the years as well as having produced, scored, written and arranged several New Jersey Bands. To ice the cake Mike has had the privilege of playing for such greats as Glen Burtnick and Aldo Nova.
In 1998 Mike gave us the debut of his band DEPARTURE which included members of melodic hard rockers Bugzy and Dean Fasano’s Message, the self-titled debut “Departure” featuring Ken Michaels on vocals and with special guest Dave Rosenthal (Red Dawn, Rainbow). This debut caught everyone’s attention as it combined the sounds of Journey, Toto, Saga, and Tour de Force.
The concept for this album was formed in the mid-80s with all songs written in that period – the style of the record is well and truly 80s AOR / Melodic Rock plenty of swirling keyboards, elegant guitars and smooth vocals, but wrapped by a modern production.
This is an album where melodic guitars and keyboards rule the world, and vocals and arrangements are only measured with big, bigger and biggest. Kenny has a great voice and absolutley blasts through the speakers. It’s a mystery why this singer didn’t recorded more music with Departure or any other band.
Styx and Dennis De Young in particular could only wish they could write stuff like the epic ballad The Way You Show Your Love. Huge indeed! Other highlights are the rocking Searchin’, and Tonight’s The Night.
Also very good are Anymore, the midpaced All So Easy, and the very cool guitar driven Eyes Don’t Lie.
This album is going to really rate well with those who love keyboards, AOR with a slightly progressive feeling, and big arrangements. If you like the bands mentioned above, then please check ”Departure” out.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Faster
02 – Searchin’
03 – The Way You Show Your Love
04 – Tonight’s The Night
05 – Is This Love?
06 – Anymore
07 – Howling At The Moon
08 – All So Easy
09 – Eyes Don’t Lie
10 – The Bitter Rage
11 – What Goes Around
12 – Can’t Hurt Me Now
Hidden Tracks:
13 – A Prayer For Me
14 – Hanging By A Thread
15 – Eyes Don’t Lie (Remix Version)
Kenny Michaels – lead vocals
Mike Walsh – guitars, keyboards
Jeff Seykot – bass
John O’Connell – keyboards
Steve Pazzelanti – drums
with:
David Rosenthal – guest keyboards / orchestration
Tracklist:
1 Faster 4:17
2 Searchin' 3:04
3 The Way You Show Your Love 4:08
4 Tonight's The Night 3:22
5 Is This Love? 3:29
6 Anymore 3:33
7 Howling At The Moon 3:06
8 All So Easy 3:54
9 Eyes Don't Lie 4:14
10 The Bitter Rage 5:29
11 What Goes Around 3:53
12 Can't Hurt Me Now 4:37
13 A Prayer For Me 4:06
14 Hanging By A Thread 3:36
15 Eyes Don't Lie (Version) 4:28
Departure – Departure – 1998+3 bonus, FLAC+MP3, CD-Rip w/ Scans
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