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November 2023

• High Spirits: Safe On The Other Side
• Signum Regis: Undivided
• DGM: Life
• Soledriver: Return Me To Light
• Care Of Night: Reconnected
• Secret Sphere: Blackened Heartbeat
• Seventh Crystal: Infinity EP
• Angra: Cycles Of Pain
• Hugo's Voyage: Inception
• DMJ: Sophomore
• Temple Balls: Avalanche
• Ignescent: Fight In Me

October 2023

• Pattern-Seeking Animals: Spooky Action At A Distance
• Overland: S.I.X
• Vitalines: Wheels Within Wheels
• Lynch Mob: Babylon
• District 97: Stay For The Ending
• Lalu: The Fish Who Wanted To Be King
• Entierro: The Gates Of Hell
• Nitrate: Feel The Heat
• Kings Crown: Closer To The Truth
• Theocracy: Mosaic
• Edge Of Forever: Ritual
• Ronnie Atkins: Trinity

September 2023

• Rockett Love: Galactic Circus
• Kerrigan: Bloodmoon
• Taz: Shipwrecked, Vol 2
• Taz: Wake Up & Sweat, Vol 1
• Ronnie Romero: Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters
• The Flower Kings: Look At You Now
• Vega: Battlelines
• Blackbird Angels: Solsorte
• Primal Fear: Code Red
• Eclipse: Megalomanium
• Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls (Reissue 2008/2023)
• Seventh Wonder: The Great Escape (Reissue 2010/2023)

August 2023

• Hurricane: Reconnected
• U.D.O.: Touchdown
• Streetlight: Ignition
• Sarayasign: The Lion's Road
• Neal Morse: The Dreamer - Joseph - Part One
• Rian: Wings
• Icon Of Sin: Legends
• Lancer: Tempest
• King Kobra: We Are Warriors
• Dark Sky: Signs Of The Time
• Hell In The Club: F.U.B.A.R.
• Kent Hilli: Nothing Left To Lose

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James Christian: Craving

AOR Melodic Rock

4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 04.04.2018

As is his custom, James Christian sometimes takes a break from his long serving band House Of Lords to drop a solo album. The singer, songwriter, producer, and all around music veteran returns with his fourth studio album, Craving. Recorded in his own Florida studio, the recording features contributions from other veterans of the melodic rock scene including Tommy Denander, Chris Pelcer, Jimi Bell, Clif Magness, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Richard Hymas, Charlie Mason, and Jeff Kent.

James Christian

As you would expect, Christian delivers another pleasing album of AOR melodic rock, something on the softer side of his work with House Of Lords. Even with expectations in hand, the album arrives with some variety in the songs. Not wanting to give everything away, I'll hit some highlights. Starting the album, both Heaven Is A Place In Hell and Wild Boys are straight up rockers, catchy with some good groove.

After this, Christian shifts into lighter AOR gear with Craving, Jesus Wept, and World Of Possibility where you'll more acoustic guitar, piano, and better synth parts. Sidewinder brings back some harder rock with strong riffs, a big beat, and a feisty guitar solo. The following I Won't Cry straddles the line between rocker and AOR anthem, yet with a notable blues groove. Perhaps my favorite song here, Black Wasn't Black turns more upon traditional melodic hard rock with it's brisk riffs, slick pacing, undeniable melody and groove, and catchy chorus. Christian could have saved the song for the next House Of Lords album. But no, enjoy it here. Additionally, throughout, but not necessarily in every song, you'll hear some fine guitar solos. As suggested earlier, Craving finds James Christian in fine musical form, offering another satisfying album of AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

Craving finds James Christian in fine musical form, offering another satisfying album of AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

We haven't had a new studio album from Brazil's Angra since prior to the COVID pandemic, 2018's Omni. But the quintet has been busy. In 2021, they released Omni Live in Japan where they have a huge fan base ... [ Read More ]