For this 1997 release, Wetton brought in several prog heavyweights, including Steve Hackett and Robert Fripp. Strange then that he should record one of his most vocal and pop orientated albums.
There's much more Asia to this album and much less King Crimson/Uriah Heep, indeed many of the songs could have been recorded by Asia had John stayed on. "Nothing Happens for Nothing" for example is an Asia song, pure and simple, with a strong upbeat melody and a catchy hook. There are plenty of ballads and slow acoustic songs too. Of these, the title track and "All grown up" are among the most emotional and enjoyable.
For those who enjoy the voice of John Wetton, this is a good listen. The songs may be relatively simple, but they are flawlessly performed, and superbly produced.

Best of Foreigner 4 & More revisits the best-known songs from the band's landmark fourth studio album in a live setting, while paying homage to a handful of their later hits like "Say You Will" and "I Want to Know What Love Is." Recorded live at the Borgata Hotel's Music Box theater in Atlantic City on October 3 and 4, 2014, the 12-track set includes new takes on hits like "Juke Box Hero," "Urgent," "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "Feels Like the First Time," "Cold as Ice," and "Hot Blooded," performed by the post-Lou Gramm lineup of the group.

Foreigner - Foreigner (1977). Blissful feelings arise at the mere mention of 70s arena rock. It gives listeners the permission to have fun, sing along to aircraft-hangar-size choruses, play air guitar solos, forget about any troubles, recall the experience of a first kiss, and quite simply, rock out. Few albums better instill these pleasures than Foreigner’s 1977 self-titled debut album, a five-times platinum blockbuster chock full of salacious riffs, soaring vocals, edgy beats, and lyrics that practically demand to be shouted.
Spearheaded by guitar hero Mick Jones, fresh off success with Spooky Tooth, Foreigner rallied around a talented collective pulled from the U.S. and U.K. Joining up with former King Crimson instrumentalist Ian McDonald and drummer Dennis Elliott, as well as keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Ed Gagliardi…

DIVING FOR PEARLS self-titled debut is one of those albums you enjoy from start to finish, never drops in quality and where every cut should have been a hit. This Melodic Rock / AOR gem was remastered and reissued on CD by Rock Candy including 5 bonus tracks – and it’s a must have in your collection.The late ’80s produced a plethora of Melodic Rock acts from North America – none more special than Diving For Pearls. Led by supremely talented frontman Danny Malone and terrific guitarist Yul Vazquez (previously part of the excellent Urgent US), this NY-based five piece forged one of the finest records of the era, at a time when the likes of Bon Jovi, Winger, White Lion & Whitesnake were receiving platinum trophies as a matter of course.

Simply The Best is a concise yet powerful compilation that showcases some of the most memorable tracks from Swedish hard rock giants Europe. Released in 1999 through Epic Records, the album gathers many of the band’s defining songs from the 1980s, highlighting their signature blend of melodic hard rock, arena-ready choruses, and polished production. From the instantly recognizable anthem “The Final Countdown” to emotional power ballads like “Carrie” and energetic rock staples such as “Rock The Night,” the collection captures the band at the height of their commercial success and creative peak. Joey Tempest’s soaring vocals, John Norum’s melodic guitar work, and the band’s strong sense of melody helped Europe become one of the most successful European rock acts of their era. The compilation balances radio-friendly hits with deeper fan favorites, offering both longtime listeners and newcomers an accessible overview of the band’s classic period. Simply The Best remains an enjoyable celebration of melodic hard rock and the enduring sound of 1980s arena rock.

With "Living Proof", Robin Beck delivers one of the most confident, vibrant, and emotionally charged albums of her career — a powerful statement from an artist whose voice and presence continue to define melodic rock at the highest level. Bold, contemporary, and unmistakably timeless, "Living Proof" stands as exactly what its title suggests: proof that true class, passion, and authenticity never fade.

The Best Of The Ballads is a 1997 compilation by Bonfire focusing on the band's softer, more melodic side, highlighting emotional rock ballads and AOR-influenced tracks. The collection brings together heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and polished guitar-driven arrangements that showcase the band's ability to balance hard rock energy with melodic sensitivity. Spanning several releases, the album emphasizes themes of love, reflection, and personal struggle, making it a cohesive overview of Bonfire’s ballad-oriented material during their late-80s and 90s period.

Cheap Trick may no longer be playing the stadiums that the group's monumental talent surely warrants, but they do have one of the most loyal cult followings in all rock & roll. Thus, when Epic Records decided to release a four-disc box set celebrating the quartet's 20th anniversary with the label, someone there was smart enough to let the band put together a collection for the collectors. Which means 32 of the 64 tracks here are previously unreleased, including many live cover tunes (Beatles, Velvet Underground), demo takes, and a few things only a fan would want. Some hits are here (including "Surrender"), but, as a good example, there's no "He's a Whore," which Cheap Trick probably figured their fans should already own.

L.A. Suspicion is a 2022 studio album by the AOR project AOR, released through Perris Records, bringing together a modern celebration of classic melodic rock, arena rock, and polished hard rock songwriting. The album features a wide lineup of respected vocalists from the international melodic rock scene, each contributing their own distinctive voice to individual tracks. This collaborative structure gives the record a varied yet cohesive identity, rooted in the traditions of 1980s-inspired AOR while maintaining a contemporary production edge. The music is driven by strong guitar work, melodic hooks, powerful choruses, and emotional lyrical themes centered on love, struggle, resilience, and reflection. Songs like “A Smile In My Heart,” “Strong Than Desire,” and “Arrow Thru' My Heart” highlight the album’s emphasis on melodic accessibility and stadium-sized energy, while tracks such as “Street Of Illusions” and “Lost In Cold Heaven” introduce darker, more dramatic tones. With its polished production and strong vocal performances, L.A. Suspicion stands as a modern tribute to classic AOR and melodic hard rock traditions.

"Released" marks the long‑awaited return of legendary vocalist Lou Gramm (Foreigner), delivering his first solo album since 1989’s "Long Hard Look". Rising from a musical family in Rochester and first making waves with Black Sheep, Gramm went on to shape rock history with Foreigner, whose first eight singles all stormed the US Top 20. His solo hits “Midnight Blue” and “Just Between You And Me” cemented his status as one of rock’s great voices. Produced by Gramm himself, "Released" stands proudly alongside his classic work - an album of heart, craft and unmistakable vocal power as he steps back into the spotlight.

Boston is one of the best-selling albums of all time, and deservedly so. Because of the rise of disco and punk, FM rock radio seemed all but dead until the rise of acts like Boston, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen. Nearly every song on Boston's debut album could still be heard on classic rock radio decades later due to the strong vocals of Brad Delp and unique guitar sound of Tom Scholz. Tom Scholz, who wrote most of the songs, was a studio wizard and used self-designed equipment such as 12-track recording devices to come up with an anthemic "arena rock" sound before the term was even coined. The sound was hard rock, but the layered melodies and harmonics reveal the work of a master craftsman. While much has been written about the sound of the album, the lyrics are often overlooked…

The short lived New England originally formed around the Boston area in the late 1970s, featuring John Fannon on guitar and lead vocals, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, Hirsh Gardner on drums and Gary Shea on bass guitar. After being discovered by famed KISS manager Bill Aucoin, their self-titled debut was issued by Infinity Records in 1979, and produced by KISS’s Paul Stanley, produced along with famed Queen, Asia and Journey producer Mike Stone. The tracks ‘Hello, Hello, Hello’ (UK No. 69) and ‘Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya’ (US No. 40) began to pick up plenty of airplay on AOR radio in the States as the band headed out on a major arena tour opening for KISS. Switching to Elektra Records, New England followed their debut in 1980 with “Explorer Suite”, this time co-produced by Mike Stone with singer and principle songwriter, John Fannon. The title track, plus ‘Livin’ In The Eighties’ were released as singles, but didn’t quite manage to capitalise on the airplay from the first LP. “Walking Wild”, their third and final album, also for Elektra, was released in 1981 and produced by Todd Rundgren. With ‘Don’t Ever Let Me Go’, ‘DDT’ and ‘Get It Up’ released as singles, the album had a more harder rocking approach, but unfortunately the band split up shortly after its release, in 1982.

Essential into any ’80s AOR collection, “Desperate Business“, the first BRIAN McDONALD GROUP. Oh yeah, this gem includes in one single package all the ingredients that any fan of the genre look for; catchy as hell songs, superb choruses, tons of keys, and fantastic melodies all over.