Another solo album by former Toto frontman Steve Lukather. This time he has focused on simple guitar riffs, sensetive vocals, melody and also progressive songs that gives the listeners something to listen to, not just sing along to. I like this album very much because of it's big and powerfull but also sensetive and variated songs. Steve must have listened to and gotten inspiration from Porcupine Tree, becuase I really hear some of Steven Wilson's progressiveness in some of the songs. The keyboardplaying is very typical 1980's Toto! An really really good album!

Keyboardist C.J Vanston has played with, among others, Prince, Celine Dion, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker and 'NSync and is also a film composer based in  Hollywood. Percussionist Lenny Castro has played with MANY well known artists and is a studio musician.

1)Judgement day (8,0) Toto-influenced sound on this somewhat pregressive rock song.

2)Creep motel (8,0) Heavy bluesy number with some good guitar soloing by Lukather.

3)Once again (7,5) Nice ballad.

4)Right the wrong (8,5) Very good almost-a-ballad that sounds very much like Porcupine Tree in their more melodic moments.

5)Transition (9,0) Even more inspired by Porcupine Tree. A very good progressive almost instrumental.

6)Last man standing (7,5) Melodic and sweet song.

7)Do I stand alone (7,5) Very Bon Jovi-inspired up-tempo song.

8)Rest of the world (9,0) Gospel inspired balad. Very good indeed with much melody, attitude and feeling!

9)Smile (-) 2-minute guitar outtro.

Score: 8.13

Steve Lukather-vocals and guitars (b.1957)

John Pierce-bass

Lenny Castro-percussion (b.1957)

C.J Vanston-keyboards

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many many more

Former Racer X and nowadays Mr. Big-guitarist with another solo album. The music is a progressive mix of funk, jazz and blues. Some okey and some good songs. The album includes 3 cover songs originally performed by Yes, Willie Dixon and AC/DC, which shows Gilbert's varaiety in his musical preferences.

The drummer Thomas Lang is from Austria and has played on many many artists records and has recieved many prices for best drummer.

1)Enemies (in jail) (7,0)

2)Rain and thunder and lightning (7,5)

3)Vibrato (6,5)

4)Put it on the char (8,0)

5)Bivalve blues (7,5)

6)Blue rondo a la turk (7,0)

7)Atmosphere on the moon (6,5)

8)The pronghorn (7,5)

9)Roundabout (Yes)

10)I want to be loved (Willie Dixon)

11)Go down (AC/DC)

Score: 7,19

Paul Gilbert-vocals and guitars (b.1966)

Kelly Lemieux-bass

Thomas Lang-drums (b.1967)

Emi Gilbert-keyboards

It went long 5 years since the band released their super hot hit album Afterburner, when Recycler hit the world. They somewhat continued on their synthdriven rock that Afterburner and 1983's Eliminator started but on this album there's a much more blues feel. The guitarplaying is sharp and delicious as has always been with ZZ Top and the songs are quite good but when I want to listen to an ZZ Top album I don't choose this one, it's one of their least enjoyable even though it's good! ZZ Top is one of my absolute favorite bands and has been since I started listening to rock music in the early 80's. Recycler peaked at nr. 6 in USA and nr. 8 in UK.

1)Concrete and steel (8,0) A happy happy beginning of the album.

2)Lovething (7,5) Slower and cool driving heavy synthesizer blues.

3)Penthouse eyes (7,5)

4)Tell it (8,0) Heavy!

5)My heads in Mississippi (7,5) Heavier!

6)Decision or collision (7,5)

7)Give it up (7,5)

8)2000 Blues (7,5)

9)Burger man (7,5)

10)Doubleback (7,5)

Score: 7,60

Billy Gibbons (William Frederick Gibbons)-vocals and guitars (b.1949)

Dusty Hill (Joseph Michael Hill)-vocals, bass and keyboards (b.1949)

Frank Beard-drums (b.1949)

For this album 10 CC's five members had become three since both Lol Creme and Kevin Godley had quit the band and the remaining members took in touring drummer Paul Burgess as a member of the band. The band produced another hit album and proved that they could go on without their past members. The music is more straight and simple but with the unmistakeble bends (!) that only 10 CC could make in their world of rock and pop. It's a quite laid back album with hints of funk and progressive pop, as known as "art-rock". Listenable but not an album I'd like to have.

1)Good morning judge (7,0)

2)The things we do for love (6,0)

3)Marriage bureau rendezvouz (6,0)

4)People in love (6,0)

5)Modern man blues (7,0)

6)Honeymoon with b troop (6,5)

7)I bought a flat guitar tutor (3,0)

8)You've got a cold (6,0)

9)Feel the benefit (Parts 1,2 and 3) (8,0)

Score: 6,17

Eric Stewart-vocals, guitars, piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer and maraccas (b.1945)

Graham Gouldman-vocals, guitars, bass, organ, tambourine, triangle and autoharp (b.1946)

Paul Burgess-drums and percussion (b.1950)

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Jean Roussel-keyboards, piano and organ

Tony Spath-piano and oboe

Terry Bozzio-drums (b.1950)

Bob Seger was a very popular singer in the US in the 70's and 80's. This album peaked at nr.5 in the charts and sold 2 million copies in the US. The single "Shame on the moon" was at nr.2 on the singlecharts behind Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". The music is west coast melodic stadiumrock typical of the era of the end of the 70's and beginning of the 80's. Similarities of Bruce Springsteen can be heard here and there. The songs on this album is too week so I sold my copy of it.

Craig Frost is also known for playing with Grand Funk Railroad 1973-1977.

Bobbye Hall has recorded with many many many well known artists and has been on 22 recordings that have reached the Billboard Hot 100, and of these 6 has gone to number one.

1)Even now (6,5) Sounds very much like Bruce Springsteen.

2)Makin' Thunderbirds (7,5) Bluesrocker with piano.

3)Boomtown blues (7,0) Intense and good rocker reminding of Rolling Stones.

4)Shame on the moon (6,0)

5)Love's the last to know (8,0) Wonderful and sesitive ballad.

6)Roll me away (6,0)

7)House behind a house (4,5) Terrible heavy song.

8)Comin' home (5,5) A very mellow and soft ballad but not very good.

9)Litte victories (5,0) Heavy but contentless rocker.

Score: 6,22

Bob Seger-vocals and guitars (b.1945)

Chris Campbell-bass

Craig Frost-keyboards (b.1948)

Alto Reed-saxophone

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Russ Kunkel-drums (b.1948)

Bobbye Hall-percussion

Don Felder (Eagles)-guitar on 1 and 3.

Glen Frey (Eagles)-vocals on 4.

Bonnie Raitt-background vocals on 2.

Rival Sons is an american band from Los Angeles which is inspired by classic rock and hardrock. Very obvious inspirations are Led Zeppelin and The Doors. I would define their music as 60' and 70's unpolished rock'n'roll that smells Led Zeppelin. This, their 2nd album, has a couple of killersongs but also some fillers and the album is very short, clocking in at only 30 minutes. The album reached 129 on the UK albumcharts and the band is in 2011 reaching a bigger and bigger audience. They opened for Judas Priest on their UK tour of 2011.

1)All over the road (6,5)

2)Young love (8,0)

3)Pressure and time (8,0)

4)Only one (7,5)

5)Get mine (7,0)

6)Burn down Los Angeles (6,0)

7)Save me (8,0)

8)Gypsy heart (7,5)

9)White noise (5,0)

10)Face of light (5,0)

Score: 6,85

Jay Buchanan-vocals

Scott Holiday-guitars

Robin Everheart-bass

Michael Miley-drums

J. Karjalainen is a very well-known artist in Finland and has been for many years. His music is rock with some rocking and a bit chaotic songs, and others that has a defenitive J.J Cale-feel to them, which means soft and mellow melodies and flowing guitars. I miss more variation in the songs and that the other players would come more to the front. Karjalainen also has a very special voice that you either like or don't like.

1)Humanoidien järvi (5,5)

2)Hullun laulu (6,5)

3)Keihäänkärki (7,5)

4)Tyttöni mun (5,0)

5)Do the kaivinkone (6,0)

6)Alla kiireisten tähtien (3,0)

7)Mä olen sinun (6,5)

8)Mä voin (7,0)

9)Rockin' Kyöstin rokkibändi (7,0)

10)Pieni yllätys (5,0)

11)Jitterbug (6,0)

12)Hallapojat (4,0)

13)Missä se Väiniö on? (6,5)

Score: 5,81

J.Karjalainen-vocals, guitar and harp (b.1957)

Tommi Viksten-guitar (b.1966)

Mitja Tuurala-guitar and bass

Keimo Hirvonen-drums (b.1959)

Pekka Gröhn-keyboards (b.1963)

Mouhamadou L. Malang Cissokho-percussion and kora (b.1962 in Senegal)

Dingo is a band from Pori, Finland that was very popular in Finland in the middle of the 80's. They were formed in 1982 and this is their 6th album. The only original member is Neumann. It consists of simple rocksongs in a typical finnish-style and range from okey to pretty good. It's not a top-album but it's a shame it has only sold 2 000 copies. It deserves better.

Pertti Neumannhas also released 4 soloalbums. Erik Valkamaa has played with Boomfunk MC's, The Sledge, Scratch etc. Ville Siuriainen has played with many bands, for example Soulcage, Kirofoni and Circuitry. Robert Engstrand who is born in Sweden has played with some more well-known acts like The Flower Kings and Timo Kotipelto and some bands from Finland.

1)Laivauutisia (5,5) Don't know why they start with the albums worst song.

2)Mascaramies (7,5)

3)Aamutähti (6,5)

4)Humisevan harjun paluu (7,5)

5)Lontoo deluxe (6,0)

6)Merisairas (7,0)

7)Velhon kosketus (7,0)

8)Maaginen päivä (6,5)

9)Skorpioninainen (7,0)

10)Mustan koiran majatalo (6,0)

Score: 6,65

Neumann-vocals and guitars (b.1959)

Erik Valkama-guitars (b.1970)

Vesa Kuhlman-bass

Ville Siuriainen-drums (b.1980)

Robert Engstrand-keyboards (b.1976 in Sweden)