Search - Sheriff :: Sheriff

A MUST HAVE if you like 80s AOR!!!!

Reader | 04/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the most delightful "lost treasures" I have ever seen - folks, this is one great record. The songs are excellent (I don't really like the last song, because the keyboardist sings it and I'm not that impressed with his voice, so...) and the production is really good. This disc is worth far more than the price of admission just to hear Freddy Curci's singing. He is the most incredible vocalist I've ever heard, and I've pretty much heard them all (I'm a singer). His upper range is phenomenal, his tone is excellent, and I've never heard anyone else EVER come close to holding out really high notes for as long as he can. He doesn't really do it for "show," the things he does are quite musical in the context of the songs. NO ONE else that I've ever heard could've done what he did on this album (not Steve Perry, not Brad Delp, nobody), which is from 1982, no less. The standout vocal performance is "Living for a Dream," in which Curci sings several lines that range between the soprano A and C range (that's right, he hits a few notes in there that are a _whole octave_ above the "tenor high C" that you hear about so often - and he _sings_ them, he doesn't scream them). Although the band did get some recognition later on for "When I'm With You" (and deservedly so, it's a great song), this band never really "made it" - this is the only recording that was released. I've read that interal conflicts over song writing, song choices, and, believe it or not, singing (I've read that the keyboardist wanted to sing more - he's a decent singer, but compared to Curci's incredible vocal prowess, he should just play the keys) led to the break up of the band. Freddy and Steve D. (guitar) went on to join with Steve Fossen, Roger Fisher, and Michael DeRosier of Heart to form the band Alias, which also released a killer AOR album (you may remember the song "More Than Words Can Say"). You won't be disappointed."

Strong, strong, 80's band

D. Thorpe | 07/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't understand some of the reviews calling this cd mediocre. I can only assume that they gave it one listen, realized they hadn't purchased whatever it was they were hoping to find and took out their misguided anger in text review. This IS a very strong collection of songs IF you love 80's top 40 rock. "When I'm With You" is the big hit ballad but this cd goes so much deeper. This is a rock album that happens to have a ballad...which was the case with many top 40 rock bands from the 80's. "Elisa", "Living For A Dream", and "Makin' My Way" are excellent songs in a sorta Styx meets April Wine kind of way. Those three songs alone are worth the price of admission...but this cd literally doesn't have a bad track. I like to listen to cds when I'm doing wood work in my basement and at first, this cd just sounded okay. It was after several more listenings that I fully realized what a great album this is. I feel like I've unearthed a lost treasure."

AOR classic that few people heard...

Brian E. Burgess | NY, USA | 04/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember listening to 94 Rock out of Syracuse,NY in the early 80's when "You Remind Me" came on the radio. I loved the sound of the song but only heard it a few times after and never caught the name of the group. I was lucky enough in the late 80's to pick up a cassette(by chance) by a Canadian group called Sheriff. I wondered if "You Remind Me" was the same song I had heard and loved so I purchased it. It was and what a great find. Classic AOR throughout this release with the killer ballad "When I'm With You" also here. I now have this classic on cd and would highly recommend it to 80's AOR fans out there. Great news: 707 Megaforce will be released on cd for the first time this year!"