LYNN ALLEN – Streetlight (2015-2017)

“Streetlight“, the latest LYNN ALLEN album, was released two years ago by AOR BLVD Records limited to only 500 copies but the CD resulted pretty hard to find. Last year the remaining batch was made available, and now you can get and enjoy this very good Melodic Rock record.

For a quick history to those who do not know, Lynn Allen is a melodic rock act from Iowa in the United States which formed in the early 80s with a line-up of Billy Peiffer (vocals / guitar), Tim Compton (guitar), Terry Murphy (bass), Bob Boyd (drums) and Dale Fisher (keyboards).
In 1984, the band released their full-length opus We Laugh At You and would spend the following years sharing the stage with such esteemed acts as Ratt and Great White.

However, with their album Panorama Park due for release in 1989, Peiffer left the band and joined Big Rock in San Francisco, but would return to Lynn Allen shortly afterwards to record the 1991 self-titled full-length (also known as The Pink Album due to its cover artwork).
In spite of the grunge invasion Lynn Allen went on to be successful in the 90s, although 1995’s Petrified Ice Cream was to be their last studio effort.
In 2007 the band reunited to record The Horse You Rode In On and now we have another top quality melodic rock release with the ten-track “Streetlight”.

It’s certainly been a story of ups and downs for the band, and with Peiffer as the sole survivor from the original line-up he’s now joined by guitarist Paul DePaw, bassist Barry Bestal and drummer Kevin Sampson.
After a few spins I have to say that Streetlight is probably one of the most soothing, easy on the ear rock records I’ve heard for some time.
Although I knew what to expect having enjoyed Lynn Allen’s previous works, “Streetlight” is a warm, comforting record boasting simple melodies which stick long in the ears, even after just one listen.

Opener ‘Wheels Keep Turning’ is a joyous, upbeat romp actually reminding me of something FIREHOUSE would come up with, such is its summery, sugary nature.
Peiffer has a very similar vocal color to FIREHOUSE’s frontman CJ Snare – hence the comparison – but also musically with its melodious riffs and harmony vocals.

‘Falling’ has a rockier edge than the opener; the guitar has more presence and the drum nods along nicely in tandem with the plodding bass. It’s AOR as it should be; seemingly modest and lacking overall frills, but boasting soul and pop majesty as it rolls.
‘What It Is’ continues the melodic theme with the guitar having a jarring groove to it creating a lovely midtempo feeling. Again it’s a classic case subject-wise of love lost and found as the track builds to a nice fluid chorus where Billy Peiffer’s vocals soar nicely.

The title track is the sort of track with a heavy lean towards an 80s movie vibe evoking images of courting teenagers at late-night drive-ins.
In a sense, that’s what a lot of the best AOR does; conjure up moods and images evocative of an era that still remains widely popular.

With the likes of ‘Drive’ (love the chorus) and ‘Today She Is On Fire’ (with some ALIAS on it) we get those effective bubblegum melodic rock stomps, but at the other end of the spectrum ‘I Will’ is simply sumptuous as an acoustic ballad that would have benefited from being a few minutes longer.
If you’re one of those craving an edgier tune however, then the closing ‘She Is The One’ comes complete with driving guitar and unassuming vocal to round off this true 80s inspired CD.

I guess the word “sweet” pretty much sums up this record; a cheery journey through Melodic Rock AOR basics but an opus which does enough due to its well-crafted songs and general all-round talent of those involved.
“Streetlight” is a more than recommended album to those 80s Melodic Rock / AOR fans out there.

01 – Wheels Keep Turning
02 – Falling
03 – What It Is
04 – Streetlight
05 – Kickin Myself
06 – Drive
07 – I Will
08 – Today She Is On Fire
09 – Friendzone Paradise
10 – She Is the One

Billy Peiffer- Vocals. Guitar
Barry Bestal – Bass
Paul DePaw – Guitar
Kevin Sampson – Drums

BUY IT !
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/LynnStreetlight.htm
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