SHY – Brave The Storm [Japan Cardboard Sleeve LTD miniLP +6]

A requested album from the classic AOR era and a must have in your collection is SHY‘s second effort “Brave The Storm”. This out of print Japanese Cardboard Sleeve LTD mini-LP replica includes 6 bonus tracks and delivers a fan-damn-tastic sonic output.

Originally released in 1985, “Brave The Storm” was the second album from this British AOR / Melodic Rock institution.
The band, which featured powerhouse vocalist Tony Mills was a latecomer to the NWOBHM scene, and were one of the first to draw that fine line between traditional melodic metal and arena rock.
Produced by Tony Platt, “Brave The Storm” was Shy’s major label debut, and resulted something of a breakout album for the band thanks to leadoff single “Hold On (To Your Love)”.

While many fans prefer other Shy records as favorite, for me “Brave The Storm” is among their finest moments.
The whole album is a textbook example of superbly crafted melodic rock / AOR with a metal edge. Catchy hooks and abundant keyboards are paired with somewhat dramatic, love-themed lyrics and of course Tony Mills’ stratospheric vocals.
It’s just such a pure mid-80s album, and one that immediately transports you back to that era.

Leading the attack, Paddy McKenna’s synths are set to arpeggiator mode for ‘Hold On (To Your Love)’, a chorus-laden special with big vocals both lead and backing from all concerned.
There’s more keyboard goodness in the offing as ‘My Apollo’ is an absolute drama scene-stealer. Not even a Oscar Award can outdo these boys on this album.

There are some wondrous ballads here as well and the first of these is the effortless ‘Reflections’, a gorgeous well-worked piece that builds up slowly to a crescendo.
Returning to harder melodic territory, ‘Keep The Fires Burning’ is the obvious anthem here, and a good one it is too. As the whole album, it sounds pretty Scandinavian to my ears, adding that unique British touch as well.

‘The Hunter’ is a personal favorite with that punchy action-movie spirit all over it. Next up is the title track. Again, those classy keyboards give this song a huge boost. A mammoth song for me personally over the years, and as anthemic as it gets.
‘Wild Wild Woman’ borrows an early Europe styled neo-classical riff though the song is not as rabid as the songtitle would suggest.

Another keeper is the wondrous ‘Caught In The Act (Of Love)’, topped by some out of this world vocals by the helium powered Tony Mills. The acoustic guitar fills from Steve Harris are another feature.
Finishing up the set, ‘Was I Wrong’ is another top-notch effort. Fiery and energetic and a glorious end to a superb record.

The bonus tracks on this Japan edition are really good too, including a wonderful extended version of ‘Hold On (To Your Love)’, the solid b-side ‘Strangers in Town’ and live versions of ‘Two Hearts’ and ‘Behind Closed Doors’.
Then there’s exclusive remixes of ‘Deep Water’ and ‘Give Me A Chance’ (taken from the band’s first album), both refreshed and much better than the originals.

“Brave The Storm” received a batch of great reviews, while the band itself traveled on the back of support gigs with UFO, Gary Moore, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister.
Two years down the track and Shy would reveal perhaps their coup de grace: 1987 ‘Excess All Areas’. But “Brave The Storm” is a great record in its own right, and this Japanese version the one to own.
A MUST HAVE

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Hold On (To Your Love)
02 – My Apollo
03 – Reflections
04 – Keep The Fires Burning
05 – The Hunter
06 – Brave The Storm
07 – Wild, Wild, Woman
08 – Caught In The Act
09 – Was I Wrong?
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Hold On (To Your Love) [Extended Version}
11 – Strangers In Town
12 – Deep Water (“Once Bitten” Mix)
13 – Give Me A Chance (“Twice Shy” Mix)
14 – Two Hearts (Live)
15 – Behind Closed Doors (Live)

Tony Mills – vocals
Steve Harris – guitars
Paddy Makenna – keyboards
Roy Stephen Davis – bass
Alan Kelly – drums

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BVCM-37860
.