STATION – Stained Glass (2019)
“Stained Glass“, album number three of New York City melodic rockers STATION is a fine example of how cool AOR infused melodic rock can sound these days. Station is a comparatively new band without a past in the heydays of the genre but a fresh outfit with amazing songwriting abilities and musicianship.
One thing that always amazed me about this band is despite of being indie / self-managed, the production / mix of their albums is first class, and “Stained Glass“ isn’t an exception.
Yeah, Station’s music sounds like recorded / engineered somewhere between 1989 – 1991, and the songs, written around the time too. And what a killer new set of songs these guys deliver here.
First of all, “Stained Glass“ is Station’s more varied album to date.
Let alone the powerful and groovy opener “A Matter Of Time“ shine that has got plenty of Thunder or Little Angels vibes. “Emily“ rocks with a funky melodic rock riff akin Davil Lee Roth’s Vai-era, then “Never Enough” is pure AOR circa 1987 and this midtempo little gem brings memories of first Winger album.
We find an elegant melodic rocker in “I See You Everywhere” (think Hardline) with great vocals by Patrick Kearney, and “Nothin’ but Love” has a joyful, feel-good spirit all over.
“Angel“ is a highlight too with its terrific AORish midpaced ballad style where the great instrumental outro is pretty fascinating, then Station offers something different on the acoustically filled (not a ballad) “Still Here”.
The pulse of “Burning out Fast” has some Black N’ Blue / Autograph deja-vu, with “I Need You Red” comes another beautiful power ballad (remember Warrant?), title track “Stained Glass” is the first Station instrumental, a short guitar driven piece, and we reach the end with “All You Need Is a Heartbeat”, a melodic rocker ready for (1986) radio of which Jon Bon Jovi would be proud of (at that time).
“Stained Glass“ is Station’s more varied album to date, however the most homogeneous stylistically. It’s much more melodic rock oriented than the previous, and while AOR melodies still abound, the aim here is fun, polished to the extreme classic melodic rock.
One of the albums of the year folks…
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – A Matter of Time
02 – Emily
03 – Never Enough
04 – I See You Everywhere
05 – Angel
06 – Nothin’ but Love
07 – Still Here
08 – Burning out Fast
09 – I Need You Red
10 – Stained Glass
11 – All You Need Is a Heartbeat
Patrick Kearney (vocals)
Chris Lane (guitars)
Emi Asta (bass)
Tony Baptist (drums)
BUY IT
stationnyc.bandcamp.com
