Search - Outland :: Long Way Home

Unbelieveble!

T. Moura | Belo Horizonte - MG - brazil | 05/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! What a great disc! I could never believe someone was making this kind of music nowadays! I was really looking for the new Pride Of Lions cd when a friend turn me into Outland in a little music store near my home. Was I completely swept away by their songs! Ok, their style is utterly 80's AOR/Hard rock (although it is obviously much better produced), and you can hear hints of Survivor, The Alan Parsons Project, REO Speedwagon, Styx and other greats throught the CD, but they do have their own style and originality. In fact is hard to believe this band is actually a two man project. Jeff Prentice and Rob Nishida write, sing, produce and play almost everything in Long Way Home (the only outside player is drummer Pat Torpey, ex-Mr. big). And do they play and sing! You'll be probably thinking this is a 6 man band, at least, with great guitar solos, harmonies, keyboards flourishes and generally tasteful instrumentation and vocals. This is one of the most flawless cds I have ever heard! Even the last track (a cover of Thin Lizzy's Hollywood) is perfect. If you're into melodic rock this is the CD you can't live without. Buy it and be happy! Not everybody is writing rap and nu metal today. It's refreshing to know that some new talent guys are doing great melodic songs with guts and passion. Ten stars for this one! A classic!"

Nothing new, but still a nice AOR album

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 05/10/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"2005's Long Way Home is the second release from L.A. based AOR act Outland. The band, which is essentially a two-man operation consisting of Jeff Prentice on guitar and vocals and Rob Nishida on everything else (with an assist on drums from Mr. Big's Pat Torpey), has an old school AOR sound. They obviously take inspiration from bands like Journey, REO Speedwagon, and Thin Lizzy, if their cover of Hollywood is any indication. There are also similarities to current melodic rockers Crown of Thorns, Lost Weekend, and Emerald Rain.



Long Way home is a by the book AOR album. It's very melodic, not too heavy, and sticks pretty close to the love song subject matter the genre is so well known for. Prentice has a nice warm midrange voice that is a nice change from a few too many Steve Perry wannabes.



This is a perfectly decent, yet perfectly predictable AOR album. If you're a fan of the bands mentioned earlier and are looking for something along the same lines, chances are you'll enjoy Outland's music. If you want something new or exciting, this probably isn't it.

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