WHITE HEART (David Huff) – Hotline [Digitally Remastered +2] (2021) *0dayrox Exclusive*

Retroactive Records has reissued / remastered the first ’80s albums from WHITE HEART, the band founded by Dann & David Huff before Giant, including bonus tracks. As requested, here’s the band third LP from 1985, “Hotline“.
When White Heart hit the scene in 1982, they took their cues from Petra, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Foreigner, Night Ranger (and some Bon Jovi here on Hotline). The 1982 self-titled debut, follower ‘Vital Signs’ and then ”Hotline” all feature class AOR / commercial melodic rock music which still sound relevant today.
While master guitarist Dann Huff left the band shortly after the release of ‘Vital Signs’ to pursue his dream of being a top studio musician, he recommended his high school friend, Gordon Kennedy as his replacement for the next White Heart album, “Hotline”. And what a great recommendation; Kenned not only is a tasteful six-string player, but also an excellent vocalist.
Still commanded by bro David Huff, ”Hotline” showcases a more ‘mid-Eighties’ sound, with stronger guitars, a certain melodic rock edge, and ‘that’ keys/ synths.

White Heart started to come into its own as a ‘rock band’ on ”Hotline”. Album sees the group making a more forthright guitar based statement in if not trending hard rock territory comes close with an emphasis on assertive AOR infused melodic rock.
New guitarist Gordon Kennedy, replacing Dann Huff, plays no small role in this regard. Kennedy’s licks and chops take center stage on album’s title track, a brazen borderline hard rock cut seething with its austere energy and intense emotion as Scott Douglas wails with his pristine tenor delivery.
Likewise, “Heroes” is a natural melodic hard rocker intrinsic to prevalent guitars and engaging melody but also seasoned by airy keyboards but not to fault.

“Gotta Be A Believer” maintains the guitar edges albeit not to quite the extent in upholding an amicable up-tempo allure with overlays of silky vocal melodies, while the TOTO-like “Jerusalem” takes a keyboard prominent AOR heading with an every bit prominent melody focus. Of note is how the two feature a duet between Douglas and mid-ranged co-lead vocalists Gersmehl (former) and Kennedy (latter).

Also keyboard heavy is “She’s A Runaway”, classy melodic rock to play up periodic rhythm guitar and Kennedy’s tasteful guitar solo, and “Turn The Page” exude an animated bass line and vibrant lead guitar over its second half.
The ballad “In His Name” is entirely keyboard based and driven by AOR harmonies, one of the best White Heart songs ever.

”Hotline” closes to a strong three-song stretch beginning with “The Victory”, silky smooth melodic rock home to lush keyboards and underpinning groove in abundance, ensued by “Walls”, albums shortest at a spirited two and a half minutes to feature Gersmehl’s lower register vocals and all the funky-heavy rhythms you could ask.
“Keep Fighting The Fight” comes across in the form of a melodic rocker with a rollicking arena rock allure to close things in victorious fashion.
Bonus material is inclusive to “Gloria”, originally recorded for a Xmas album, and a nine-minute interview with the group discussing the recording of the album.

More rocking than the previous 2 albums but still utterly polished in production, “Hotline” is a true American mid-Eighties product, mixing rockers with AOR tunes for great effect.
Give credit to Retroactive Records for making this long out of print album available again in such upgraded sonic formats.
Highly Recommended (contributors get lossless)

You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

01 – HotLine
02 – Gotta Be A Believer
03 – Jerusalem
04 – Turn The Page
05 – She’s A Runaway
06 – Heroes
07 – In His Name
08 – The Victory
09 – Walls
10 – Keep Fighting The Fight
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Gloria
12 – White Heart Hotline Interview

Scott Douglas – lead and backing vocals
Mark Gersmehl – keyboards, lead and backing vocals
Billy Smiley – keyboards, guitars, backing vocals
Gordon Kennedy – lead guitars, lead vocals (3, 8), sitar
Gary Lunn – bass
David Huff – drums, percussion
Additional Musicians;
Steve Green, David Pierce – backing vocals

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