MelodicRock Classics is releasing 2023 cult classic ’80s Hi-tech AOR band THE KOO long-awaited remaster of their classic 1985 LP ”The Koo”, which was briefly released on CD in 1988. It was the band’s one and only release and copies soon disappeared. Since then the album has been sought after and sold for big money over the last couple of decades.
Restoring the original LP artwork as well as the original 1985 vinyl LP running order was top of priorities for the label and the band. As is always the case with MRC releases, audio guru JK Northrup has lovingly remastered the audio.
Bob Hayman comments: “The album was originally released on LP and cassette in 1985 and the analog masters are no longer in existence. The original release was only 10 tracks. In 1988 we released the CD with 2 additional tracks, “Got To Get Together” and “Runaway”. Thank you for your interest in reissuing The Koo. This album meant a lot to John and I and we appreciate you wanting to preserve it.”
There’s some great mid-Eighties sounding songs here such as “Got To Get Together”, a contagious and elegant midtempo track with clean guitars and smooth verses. “Runaway” has all that vibe we love from the ’80s: a catchy rhythm and a cool chorus. This song has strong Canadian sound impregnated over it.
“Standin’ In The Rain” is another winner; fantastic AOR in the best Bryan Hughes Group tradition. Awesome keyboard line that reminds me first Bystander album.
“Strike” is a highlight. Just a sensational mid-Eighties killer AOR tune with all the feeling of the ‘action movie’ soundtracks of the era. It was included into ‘Friday The 13th Part VIII’ OST. Awesome.
They change to a more Hi-Tech with “The Edge”, a song with a deep bass and pop-rock sensibility. The guitar solo is quite meaty though. Another favorite is the poignant “1,000 Radios”, a commercial, upbeat techie number with super-compressed drums and slap bass.
The rest of the tracks are goodies as well, as the wimpy “Work It Out”, the Eddie Money-like “Killin’ Time” and the synth-rocker “Maybe Right”.
THE KOO is an ultra catchy ’80s AOR album, very well produced considering its indie origin, including terrific tunes.
Highly Recommended
01. Strike
02. The Edge
03. Diamond In The Rough
04. 1,000 Radios
05. Maybe Right
06. Standin’ In The Rain
07. On My Way
08. Shame Shame
09. Work It Out
10. Killin’ Time
Bonus Tracks:
11. Got To Get Together
12. Runaway
John Powell – Lead Vocals, Drums
Tom Mgrdichian – Keyboards, Vocals
Bob Hayman – Guitar, Vocals
THE KOO – The Koo ’85[MelodicRock Classics remastered +2 bonus] (2023), MP3+FLAC. CD-Rip
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