This isn’t exactly a review for a new CD as “Salute” by 21 GUNS was originally released back in 1992. If you’ve heard of the band at all it’s most likely due to the fact that the mastermind behind the name was none other than Scott Gorham of THIN LIZZY (and currently BLACK STAR RIDERS) fame. Long after the end of THIN LIZZY, Gorham found Leif Johansen, Mike Sturgis and Thomas LaVerdi to form rank and 21 GUNS was born. Of course by 1992 the music that this band was offering was not exactly the flavor of the day anymore so it mostly remained (criminally) unknown, except to AOR aficionados of the day.

UK-based Rock Candy Records has given “Salute” a new lease here in 2013 and hopefully the album will be brought to the attention of those that missed it the first time around. For someone like myself, who has owned the album for years, it has reminded me just how good it is/was and it will certainly garner a number of spins again, especially now that Rock Candy has given it a fresh re-mastering job.

If you are not familiar with the sound of 21 GUNS but you are an AOR fan then you need to check this album out. Think of the best and classiest moments of DANGER DANGER or even Ted Poley’s solo projects mixed with some other AOR greats like GIANT and ALIAS.

There really isn’t a bad song on the record as this was obviously crafted when albums were just that and not a few good songs mixed with filler. Having said that there are some real gems worth mentioning. “Knee Deep”, which was the first single off the record back when is an AOR rocker with some attitude. “Little Sister” follows in a similar vein while “Jungeland” is an exquisite AOR track that stands alongside the best of the best.  And “Just A Wish” sounds like the best DANGER DANGER ballad you never heard.

21 GUNS went onto release another record in 1997 named “Nothing’s Real” with a new singer and then released an album titled “Demo-lition” in 2002, which actually was the record that was to be the follow-up to “Salute” (as it featured LaVerdi one again at the helm) but as the title suggests it was never a properly finished record.

If you love classy AOR with a little guitar kick thrown in here and there then check out “Salute” by 21 GUNS as you will not be disappointed by any stretch.