AOR Veterans Deliver a Classic Sound
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 06/29/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"1999's Missing Piece was the third offering from melodic rockers Alliance. I don't know if Alliance really qualifies as a supergroup, given the fact that most of the band's members are relatively unknown (3's Robert Berry, Sammy Hagar's Gary Phil and David Lauser, and Night Ranger's David Fitzgerald). I mean, we're not exactly talking about Damn Yankees here.
That said; Alliance is a very good melodic hard rock band with some very talented members. I enjoyed Robert Berry's performance on the 3 album To the Power of Three, and he sounds even better here. His vocals on this album hit just the right balance between soulful and powerful, and reminded me of John Waite in the Bad English days, which is never a bad thing! The musicianship is solid as well, providing the big guitar hooks and prominent keyboards that are required for this kind of music. Leadoff track "I'd Give Anything" and "Call of the Wild" would have been top 40 singles if they were released a decade earlier, and "Young Blood would have been a hit in the early 80's, but there really isn't a weak moment on the whole album.
Missing Piece is a throwback to the classic 80's AOR sound. Anyone who loves Journey, Foreigner, the Babys, et al should enjoy this album immensely.
"
Awesome CD!
Padraic | East Lansing, MI | 03/31/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Awesome CD! ... from Alliance, who's in effect a supergroup. Think of this on-again off-again group as a poor man's Damn Yankees. Great 2nd effort from these guys > Featuring the unique voice, excellent bass-playing and great songwriting of Robert Berry. Sammy Hagar's guitar player adds some talent, as does Night Ranger's terrific keyboards-man, Alan Fitzgerald. Also check out Berry's Pilgrimage To A Point solo CD"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
