Genre: Melodic Rock
Year: 2021
Country: Canada
After decades being collectibles, finally last year finally were reissued both albums from Canadian, Calgary based outfit QWEST, including bonus tracks.
After their debut album ”Tampico Gold” worked well in the local scene with good sales and considerable radio airplay, QWEST played the circuit and beyond, meanwhile there was interest in the band not on ly in the USA, but Europe.
The band’s musical style – originally radio friendly, FM light AOR, poppy rock – rapidly morphed through these years following the sound bands like Night Ranger, Loverboy, Survivor, etc were sporting at the time.
By 1983, QWEST’s sound added a much more melodic rock edge, loads of keys, pumping bass lines and and overall feel of ‘action movie soundtrack AOR’ tunes. That is what we hear on this, the band’s second and final album, 1984’s “Dream Zone“.
After signing a new deal with Quality Records, Qwest released this follow-up LP “Dream Zone” with the label’s promise of proper distribution and promotion.
Although in the same melodic vein as the first album, the new record was more focused on guitars and melodic rock drive, with the keyboards / synths of the moment providing the AOR patina, and better, anthemic choruses.
The lead single was “I Don’t Wanna Break Your Heart,” and along with “You’re Not So Hot,” “Dreamer,” and “Nothing To Lose,” was indicative of the album, keyboard-oriented AOR / melodic rock with tamed guitar solos.
“Dream Zone” sold decently and Qwest toured presenting the LP however the label support wasn’t strong as supposed. Within a year or so everyone drifted off to do other projects.
“Dream Zone” is classic 1984 AOR / Melodic rock – for many the best year for the genre – timeless Eighties CanCon stuff.
While both Qwest albums were reissued in Canada by Pacemaker in 1996, and a year later in Europe through Razor & Tie Records, since then became rare pieces.
So it’s really nice to have this music available again. Eighties AOR fans rejoice
01 - Knock Me Out
02 - Harder All The Time
03 - Stick 'Em Up
04 - Heartbreaker
05 - It's A New Day
06 - Carry On
07 - Time Is Running Out
08 - Hold Out
09 - (Who Said) Money Can't Buy You Love
10 - Going Down
11 - All We Need Is Time (Bonus Track)
12 - Inside Outside Upside Down (Bonus Track)
13 - Tobacco Road (Bonus Track)
14 - When You're A Child (Bonus Track)
15 - Harder All The Time (Alternate)
16 - Knock Me Out (Alternate)
17 - Stick Em Up (Alternate)
Qwest – Tampico Gold (Deluxe Remaster Edition+7) -2021
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