STATION is a New York City band who has seemingly come on the scene without much fanfare. I have known of these guys for a little while now and even picked up their debut 4-song EP entitled “Wired” last year while at the Melodicrock Fest 4 in Chicago, IL. Friends who have seen them in concert around New York City have raved about their live show and songs, so when the band broke the news of their first full-length record via a pre-order on their website I was on board.
WOW, what a debut it is as I really can’t think of a band that has captured the sound of the 80’s melodic rock vibe much better. I wouldn’t classify them as (really) hard rock and they certainly are not metal. They have a slightly rocked up sound on some tunes but overall have a very commercial vibe. Think of bands like LA’s JAILHOUSE from back in the day or even NJ’s TRIXTER (from their debut era). The sound is familiar but refreshing because they do it like it’s still in vogue. You have to love that and I wish more bands had that attitude these days. People still like to have fun with their music and STATION obliges. These guys make no waste as the self-titled album is 15 songs of unabashed melodic bliss.
The CD opens with “I Don’t Want To Know Your Name”. The chorus is instant and right off the bat you get an idea what this band has to offer. Vocalist Patrick Kearney has a tone in the vein of Simon Daniels (aka Danny Simon) of the aforementioned JAILHOUSE (and currently the re-launched AUTOGRAPH). One thing I take away from the opening track is that guitarist Chris Lane seems to have a penchant for melodic playing and his solos seem well thought out for the song. Remember that thing I said earlier about people still liking to have fun with their music? Listen to the lyrics of this first track and tell me you aren’t transported back to 1989 on Sunset Strip! “Everything” brings more of the commercial LA-tinged vibe and this band really makes me think I could be hanging outside the Troubadour while listening to this record. Great stuff!
“Dressed To Kill” sees the band toughen the sound up just a bit with this riff-based song and big “gang style” vocals in force and the killer soloing from Lane again is a highlight. “Are You Sleeping Alone” is the first track the band featured and made a video for off the record. It’s a mid-paced song with highly melodic leanings that suck you in much like a band such as HAREM SCAREM did on their debut. The songs are instant because of their highly melodic style and Lane’s solo is perfect on this tune.
Subsequent tracks like “True Believer” with its mid-80’s melodic AOR vibe and “With Me Tonight” really solidify this band as a throwback in all the best ways. “Bitter With The Better”, “More Than Enough” and “No Way Out” are a trio of songs that bring back the days of hair and care-free times. There really isn’t a bad song in the lot, some have a bit more flair than others but this band can write a song.
The almost seven-minute long “Waiting For You” is the mega-ballad from the band. This one would have made some noise in the MTV days. Think of a slightly more accessible BRIGHTON ROCK here mixed with a bit of HAREM SCAREM and you’ll get the idea. These guys wear a lot of influences on their sleeves from the US east and west coasts of the 80’s as well as north of the border and it’s all good!
“Wildest Dreams” toughens things up with a bit of LILLIAN AXE flair while “Shot Of Life” keeps things running along in the same territory. The final track, “One And Only”, combines the bands more melodic side with the harder edge that seems more prevalent on the second half of the record and closes things out on another high note.
If you enjoy the good old days of the Sunset Strip or just like your rock of the melodic nature then STATION will provide you with a nice soundtrack to get your headspace back to those great times.
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