FREDERIKSEN / DENANDER

[AOR rules]

I´m waiting really anxiously this new Frederiksen/Denander album. By listening the sound samples it gives me lots of good old memories from days of Isolation album. Isolation is and probably will always be my favourite Toto album partly because it was my first Toto album but also because it´s so strong album completely lacking any weaker songs (All other Toto albums have one or two songs that I dont like topped by Georgy Porgy which is the most irritating Toto song for me). June seems to be really great month for Frontiers records as then is also coming out that TRW album which is extremely promising album too.

[IngoK]

Isolation was also my first Toto Album and therefore I´m feeling this is the best of tehir albums too (but a lot of the others are very close ).

Im excited to hear this new album.

[Franky]

June 8th for Europe:
http://www.rocksensation.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=558&Itemid=83

[AOR rules]

I also recommend Denander´s other new project Los Angeles. I think these two new releases are so good that world really can´t ignore his talent no more. I think Denander really has the potential to become one of all time greats in the field of AOR guitarplaying alongside Lukather, Schon etc. I´m also happy for Frontiers Records that with Michele Luppi they are finally getting high profile AOR musician from their own country.

[LtVanish]

I´m waiting really anxiously this new Frederiksen/Denander album. By listening the sound samples it gives me lots of good old memories from days of Isolation album. Isolation is and probably will always be my favourite Toto album partly because it was my first Toto album but also because it´s so strong album completely lacking any weaker songs (All other Toto albums have one or two songs that I dont like topped by Georgy Porgy which is the most irritating Toto song for me). June seems to be really great month for Frontiers records as then is also coming out that TRW album which is extremely promising album too.

Sounds like this album is going to be awesome. I will be placing my order this Thursday.

[AOR rules]

Well I have now had few spins of this new album and what can I say: Sorry Jim & co, you made great album but “Roaring of dreams” just lost it´s position as my no 1 album of 2007. What strikes me most about this album is those chorusparts. I haven´t heard this good AOR choruses in long long time. This is really like timejourney back to eighties when teenage version of myself was taking first spins of “Isolation”. It´s over 20 years and Fergie haven´t lost any of his vocal charm. If these guys don´t do any touring with these songs (which is a pity) I hope they at least do one promotion video because there is so plenty of hits to choose from. I can´t imagine song like “Written in stone” (my suggestion but any other could do the job) could go unnoticed if given air-time.

[brandonx76]

I really hate to criticize, because I am not making music, on any professional level (so you can stop reading...haha!), however, this album seems to be pretty uninspired, to me, for the most part. The problem? The songwriting...This seems to be a problem with alot of the new AOR and melodic rock music coming out of Europe, and all other places, besides the states. Even though it's an all but dead art form in the United States, the best seems to have 'already been done', as they say. There are some genuine diamonds in the rough, but I don't think this is one of them.

On Baptism By Fire, there are a couple of tracks that stand out, and I like the keyboard/guitar riff on 'Crossing Over', but most of the lyrics, choruses, and changes throughout are cringe worthy. The playing is great, Tommy has some blistering solo's throughout. Fergie is doing vocal acrobatics, seemingly with ease (I still find it hard to believe Toto had a difficult time getting good vocal takes during the Isolation years, maybe it was getting him to sing the parts the way David wanted them, Fergie's still got a great voice and sounds as good as ever). The songs all 'rock' in a sense, but more aptly put is that they are 'Up beat guitar driven rockers', which you would think would be enough..unfortunately the end result is a bland / generic delivery..No hooks that keep me coming back, after about 5 total album listens.

The 'wow' factor just isn't there, and I really wonder how I'm missing it with all the 'rave' reviews I've seen to date.

The songwriting doesn't compare to what was found on Isolation, or Mecca for that matter (great album). I think Tommy peaked with Ceremony of Innocence. Radioactive a close second, this album, a distant 5th or 6th. I know Tommy has worked with nearly everyone under the sun, at least once, but are there any efforts to involve some big name song writers? I think it's time, at least for one of the next albums. If anyone has any recommendations for other Tommy albums that may live up to the hype, better, please let me know. I'd be glad to check them out. I'm pretty much done with this one.

- Brandon

[AOR rules]

I admit that there is possibility that as I´m so massive fan of "Isolation" album when something similar comes out I go totally nuts so maybe I´m not the most objective person to judge this album. But I´m 99% sure that my opinion about this album won´t change to negative even after longer time.

[totobob]

I have to agree with Brandon. I was really excited about this one. The performances are good and its not a bad album, but it is rather one paced and could certainly have benefited from a ballad or two. Does not come close to Isolation. Sorry !!

[brandonx76]

I have to agree with Brandon. I was really excited about this one. The performances are good and its not a bad album, but it is rather one paced and could certainly have benefited from a ballad or two. Does not come close to Isolation. Sorry !!

I was listening to 'Right or Wrong', from Tommy's "Cerremony of Innocence" today. THAT is a GREAT tune...I know Tommy (& co) are capable, just didn't see it with this release.

[ddregs]

Hate to say, but after three-four spins I hate the sound of the rhythm sections, too much like drum-machine; the hooks are here and there , but this record's not to be compared to Isolation or Mecca (my fav AOR record since 2000).
Fergie's vocals are great though, major props to him

[Andrew]

I have to agree with Brandon. I was really excited about this one. The performances are good and its not a bad album, but it is rather one paced and could certainly have benefited from a ballad or two. Does not come close to Isolation. Sorry !!

Agreed, I rate it highly for Fergie's performance, but Isolation is a perfect 100 for me.

[AOR rules]

I have now also that other new cd featuring Denander which is Los Angeles. Although Denander´s work doesn´t get the best justification on this album because production is a bit too dry. But the cd is certainly worth the buy even just because of brilliant vocals of Michele Luppi. This guy is really a new king of AOR vocals. The material itself is parade of hit songs highlighted for me with the opener "I will carry you" + "Last chance" & "Caroline". All in all, very enjoyable product, I just hope Frontiers will invest a bit more on production department of next cd.

[Brett]

It's early days yet, but I'm loving this album - sure, it's not as good as 'Isolation' (what is?) but it's as close to an Isolation II as we're ever going to get. IMHO it totally wipes the floor with the overrated 'Mecca' and even 'Equilibrium' (which I loved). As for the lack of ballads - well, it's far better to have too few than to have two many, so I'm glad it redresses the balance, quite frankly. Besides, there was only one ballad on 'Isolation' (and it wasn't Fergie who sang it) and I don't hear anyone complaining about that...

Only thing I will say, I knew Fergie had been having serious health problems, but I just was not prepared for the difference in appearance between 'Equilibrium' and now...not quite as bad as seeing a recent pic of Steve Rothery, whom I had only just got used to knowing from his early 90s look, but still...

[mriesenb]

I think that the debut album from Work of Art, featuring the mighty Lars Safsund and Robert Sall will give you the wow! factor of Isolation since they wrote fantastic songs. Check them out on myspace.

Cheers,

MR

[bionic]

I´m waiting really anxiously this new Frederiksen/Denander album. By listening the sound samples it gives me lots of good old memories from days of Isolation album. Isolation is and probably will always be my favourite Toto album partly because it was my first Toto album but also because it´s so strong album completely lacking any weaker songs (All other Toto albums have one or two songs that I dont like topped by Georgy Porgy which is the most irritating Toto song for me). June seems to be really great month for Frontiers records as then is also coming out that TRW album which is extremely promising album too.

Yes its a shamless plug for the exellant Fireworks magazine issue 29.Tommy Denander talks about his new release Frederiksen/Denender 'Baptism of Fire' a classic release in the vein of Toto Isolation,plus also his time spent with Steve Perry and how he nearly got up to sing! plus his plans for Fergie and the guys from Toto.
www.rathole.com/fireworks to order a copy.