ESCAPE – Borderline (2013)
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We have presented here last year the very nice debut of UK AORsters ESCAPE commanded by guitarist Vince O’Regan (Bob Catley, Legion, Pulse).
The follow up CD “Borderline” continues with the same blend of lovable ’80s flavored British AOR / Melodic Rock tunes plenty of keyboards and infectious guitar riffs.
Once again we have Irish-born Stevie K. take up the mike along with “Dodgy” O’Regan on guitars, Andy Mills (Pulse, Alibi) on bass, Andy Pierce on drums and newcomer Irvin Parratt on keyboards offering eleven tracks composed in the very classy style of the genre circa 1987-88.
That is clean guitar riffs always interacting with a strong keyboard / synth presence, one never overshadowing the other but bringing the best out of every song. Although the emphasis is on melody and hooks, here Vince is never afraid to unleash a few stunning guitar solos.
From the opener “Lost And Found” with its soaring keyboards and big riffs, this album just oozes traditional British AOR. This same vibe continues with “Coming Home”, this time with more pulsating guitars while Parratt literally makes the keyboards sing. A very Stangeways sounding slice of pure AOR bliss, with Stevie K. delivering an almost Terry Brock smoothness.
“Marianne” turns to the Melodic Rock side of things and while the chorus could be more punchy this is an effective number, and this is style is maintained on “Restless Heart”, on this occasion featuring a cool midtempo pace change in the middle.
“Don’t Leave Me Lonely” is one of my favorites, a pure mid-tempo AOR driven by a multi-layered splendour and some heavenly orchestrated synth background. The pre-chorus grows on intensity in the way of the classic songs from the genre.
Ballad “Where Are You Now” is ok, then Escape delivers again a solid composition on title track “Borderline”, a catchy melodic rocker early-nineties influenced where the guitar offers a different sound and rhythms. “Take Me To The Limit” has a melodic hard rock spirit, however the six-string work during the verses is clean providing a good effect.
Another of my picks has to be “Angel Eyes”, a pure old school British Melodic Rock / AOR tune as it was and should be, then O’Regan is unleashed to do what he does best, and what Vince does best is power out the big licks on the storming “Young Guns Dream”, one of the hardest cuts on the album.
The album closes stylistically as it started in the form of the compelling keyboard infused “Calling Out To You”, an arena ready driving tune where to my ears Stevie K. lays his best vocal performance and O’Regan gets loose at the end.
If you love late ’80s sounding (and composed) British AOR / Melodic Rock in the vein of Shy, Airrace, Strangeways, Virginia Wolf and alikes, you can’t go wrong with Escape’s “Borderline”.
The choruses, the melodies, the keyboards galore are all there, and while production could be a lot better, O’Regan and the guys have the touch and the necessary feeling to play this genre as it should be.
Classic AOR / Melodic Rock is alive and kicking in 2013. Cheers!
Very Recommended.
01. Lost And Found
02. Coming Home
03. Marianne
04. Restless Heart
05. Don’t Leave Me Lonely
06. Where Are You Now
07. Borderline
08. Take Me To The Limit
09. Angel Eyes
10. Young Guns Dream
11. Calling Out To You
Stevie K. (vocals)
Vince O’Regan (guitar)
Andy Mills (bass)
Andy Pierce (drums)
Irvin Parratt (keyboards)
BUY IT !
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/EscapeBorderline.htm
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