U.S. 19 – The Eye of the Storm 1999

Musically it features a diverse range of styles while sticking to a melodic rock sound. Opener “Mr. Bad habit” is a unique melodic track. Next track “Don’t touch me there” is pop rock like BRYAN ADAMS did on his last couple of solo-albums. Then follows “Castles”, this is a nice KANSAS influenced progressive AOR ballad. “Heartache Beat” follows and this is a very good uptempo AOR rocker that reminds me a little of SUNSHINE JIVE and JOURNEY. This AOR based song is probably the best tracks on offer and doesn’t have any other musical influences.

“Love me forever” is a nice melodic pomp rocker with some references to the old STYX. “Heroes”, a very good AOR ballad like DAVE BALDWIN and DENNIS DE YOUNG’s STYX ballads. Somehow it’s a bit reminding me of the late 70s. Anyway, the CD continues with “Letter To My Friend” (an acoustic tingled YES kinda progressive song) the CD closes with the title track. This song is the rockiest song on this CD and maybe also one of the best songs, because “Eye Of The Storm” is a pure uptempo AOR/Melodic Rocker and is totally different than the rest of this CD. (review courtesy of Strutterzine).

Tracks
1. Mr. Bad Habit
2. Don’t Touch Me There
3. Castles
4. Heartache Beat
5. I Call Your Name (Valentina)
6. Love Me Forever
7. It’s All Right It’s Ok
8. Heroes
9. Rest of Your Life
10. Letter to My Friend
11. The Eye of the Storm

John Vasalakis vocals
Rick Moon guitar
Dana Newcomer drums
Nick Cardullias bass
Mark Pankratz keyboards, saxophone

Originally released in 1989 as Stormbringer – S/T