SHARP EDGES was a Canadian AOR band that sadly only released a miniLP in 1983 titled ‘Slice Of Life’ produced by Ed Stasium (Vixen, Ratt). Only 6 tracks on offer, but all good, contagious tunes with the unmistakable early ’80s sound mixing commercial radio friendly choruses with rockin’ riffs and AOR melodies, these guys were really, really good. Think Loverboy, Preview, Prism, etc.
Now 2023, vocalist Dave Filchak, on occasion of the album’s 40th anniversary is releasing “Slice Of Life… at 40“, featuring not only the original six songs remastered but also a bunch of eleven bonus tracks, including standalone singles, B-sides, recordings for the second album that never was, demos.
This is lovable 1982-83 AOR style with keyboard runs and smooth harmonies / choruses, fell-good music with that classic Canadian stamp.
Opener “On The Edge” is a midtempo rocker with an action-movie cadence, filled with stabbing synths and solid percussion. Filchak’s vocals are perfect for this, reminding me Larry Greene (Fortune), while Tom Lang plays a short but sharp guitar solo.
“Too Young” has a pure pumping AOR attack. Here Lang takes the mic and, apart of his sharp six-string work, he is really good singing too! His riffs and specially the swirling keyboards are a must on this track.
“Runaway” is a catchy rocking version of Del Shannon classic (well done), and follower “Girl On The Airwaves” has a radio-rock approach wrapped with great harmony vocals. The slightly Hi-Tech style of “Schizophrenia” definitely has the typical Canadian AOR sound with ‘that’ drums.
“City Boy” is a another winner, an uptempo rockin’ AOR with a great refrain / hook and constant catchiness. The bonus tracks are good too with fine sound quality, being a favorites “I’m Working Overtime”, “Magic”, “Just Can’t Fight It (Rock & Roll)” and especially “Hard Rock Kid”.
Crisply produced by Canadian guru Ed Stasium (Vixen, Ratt), “Slice Of Life” is a great CanCon AOR representation of the first half of the Eighties. It’s catchy, melodic and fun.
Highly Recommended to any ’80s AOR fan.
01 - On the Edge
02 - Too Young
03 - Runaway
04 - Girl on the Airwaves
05 - Schizophrenia
06 - City Boy
07 - Never Felt Love Like This Before
08 - Right from the Start
09 - Woman in Love
10 - Danger Line
11 - I'm Working Overtime
12 - Bordertown
13 - Magic
14 - Waiting for the Message
15 - Straight from the Heart _ Sweet Lovin'
16 - Just Can't Fight It (Rock & Roll)
17 - Hard Rock Kid
Sharp Edges – Slice of Life at 40 Deluxe Remaster 2023, MP3+FLAC
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this is another release i got a long time ago only difference is this is remastered