The cult favorite band UNRULY CHILD is back with “Down The Rabbit Hole (side one)”. The band has decided to release their fifth studio album in two parts and so I am looking at the newly released “side one” in this review.

UNRULY CHILD’s debut record (1992) has long been considered a classic in the AOR/melodic rock circles. It was never widely popular or commercially successful but those in the know of this genre are certainly familiar with it and if not then they should turn in their membership card immediately!

The collective members (past and present) of the group have many connections to many popular bands and if names like YES, AIR SUPPLY, MOODY BLUES, DOOBIE BROTHERS, SIGNAL and KING KOBRA, just to name a few, are familiar then you know the legacy from which UNRULY CHILD have attachments.

Through its ranks have been names like Kelly Hansen (FOREIGNER, ex-HURRICANE), Jay Schellen (ex-HURRICANE, ex-ASIA and BADFINGER), Ricky Phillips (STYX, ex-BAD ENGLISH and THE BABYS) and Larry Antonio (PABLO CRUISE, ex- AIR SUPPLY and AMBROSIA). Whew!

Today the band is still comprised of core members Marcie Free, Bruce Gowdy and Guy Allison and after 2010’s “Worlds Collide” they are finally back with some new material.

The new record opens with “This Is Who I Am” and Free sounds as great as ever with her smooth vocal delivery and melodic sensibility. The song is a mid-tempo number with pure AOR emotion. The production is warm and spacious. “She Can’t See Me” is another slower-paced number with pop sensibilities in the chorus. Allison and Gowdy are obvious veterans of the business as they handled all aspects from production, mixing and mastering of the record and it’s obvious they know their craft.

The title track, “Down The Rabbit Hole”, is another atmospheric mid-paced AOR number. The song even has some orchestrated sections coupled with almost BEATLE-esque harmonies (if THE BEATLES were AOR that is!). On the bands previous record they hit with a mix of harder numbers and lighter AOR but so far they have chosen the lighter route for this new record. The thing is it’s done so damn well you don’t see to mind the overall slower pace.

Acoustic guitars dominate “For All We Know” and this super mellow number is very earthy sounding. THE BEATLES vocal harmony influence seems to make its way back into the mix at times also. Some classy electric guitar and piano add to the moodiness of the song. “Breaking Hearts” has a poppy vibe with a light and airy vocal delivery from Free.

“Kindred” sees the group breaking from the ultra mellow mode ever so slightly. It’s not a full on rock track or anything but the drum sounds beef up the proceedings while the smooth vocals keep things firmly in the AOR territory. It’s like a modern AOR number with pop leanings and one of Free’s more impressive vocals on the record. The song reminds me of something off the STARSHIP “Love Among The Cannibals” album or even the totally obscure “Forum” album from Australian pop act INVERTIGO (what ever happened to those guys?).

Ending “side one” of “Down The Rabbit Hole” is “Say I Love You” and the band take a BADFINGER/THE BEATLES-influenced approach once again with this poppy modern AOR number.

“Down The Rabbit Hole (side one)” can be a real treat for the AOR aficionado but the very mellow and poppy approach may not be for the liking of all. Perhaps “side two” will add some rockier moments but if not I’m still mostly content with the sound of UNRULY CHILD for 2014 as Marcie Free can still work her way around a microphone and Bruce Gowdy and Guy Allison know the crafting of songs all too well to not be appreciated.