More a studio project than a established band, FAST FORWARD was a short-lived Canadian combo involving the ‘who’s who‘ musicians from the mid-Eighties. Formed by renowned Bruce Fairbairn – famous producer but also musician – and singer Ian Lloyd (ex- Stories) – to give shape to their songs they put into the studio Bryan Adams’ band.
There’s also more stars involved, such as great producer Bob Rock (who play guitar and mixed the whole thing), melodic rock producer Beau Hill (play keyboards and backing vocals, co-wrote), Jim Vallance play drums and did songwriting, Bryan Adams helped with arrangements.
Additionally, Foreigner’s Mick Jones & Lou Gramm contributed backing vocals, and if there’s not enough, some tracks were engineered by legend Mike Fraser.
The album was titled “Living In Fiction”, the year 1984, take a look at the album artwork… and yes, you’re right, this is mid-’80s AOR / melodic rock / FM radio stuff with ‘that sound‘. If you like the works – and how doesn’t – from any of the cats mentioned above, you’ll love this album.
This “Living In Fiction [remastered reissue]” was released on CD a couple years ago but isn’t easy to find. That’s why plotn08 is here…
Although the track “What’s It Gonna Take” was released as a single (only in Canada), most of the tracks could have been hit material (“Don’t Walk Away” has some Def Leppard to it). And the album still sounds astonishingly fresh after all these years.
Ian Lloyd clean, smooth vocals are really good, and all musicians into the project demonstrate a high degree of musical mastery.
Whether we call it melodic rock, AOR or radio-friendly rock&pop, “Living In Fiction” includes enough flashes of brilliance to appeal to fans of early Bryan Adams, REO Speedwagon, Loverboy, some Foreigner, or even mid-80’s The Cars.
Eighties fans can’t go wrong with Fast Forward’s “Living In Fiction”.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01 Living In Fiction
02 Play To Win
03 Whats It Gonna Take
04 Tonite
05 She Broke Your Heart
06 Dont Walk Away
07 Youre A Mystery To Me
08 Draw The Line
09 Where Did The Time Go
10 Watermusic II
Fast Forward – Living In Fiction (1984) Remaster 2011
Hello!
this album is very good, but with a very low quality. could make it available with better quality? if possible? thank you.