NOVA REX – Blow Me Away ’92 [Retrospect Records remastered reissue] *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Founded in the mid-Eigthies by L.A. resident axe-man J.P. Cervoni, NOVA REX never surpassed its indie status but managed to release by themselves a bunch of very interesting albums. Their debut CD 1992’s “Blow Me Away” gained cult devotion among Melodic Hard Rock / AOR aficionados, and rightly so.
Opening with two decent ‘hair metal’ tracks in the rocker ‘Bitch’ and the power ballad ‘Think Of Me’, the real thing starts with song number 3… ‘Children Of The Night’ is the type of tunes that makes you raise your fist and sing-along all over. The main hook is terrific, and the chorus turns it a prime Melodic Hard Rock anthem. In many ways, it sounds more British (akin After Hours or Peroux) than American, with all ‘that’ classic vibe.

The previous track worth the album alone, but Nova Rex delivers other two gems in a row: the pumping midtempo AOR of ‘Can’t Find Love’ (recalling masters Le Mans) is to die for, while ‘Alone Tonight’ is pure gold – the highly layered harmony vocals, the sharp guitars, and the killer chorus gives you a hint what ’80s-style AOR is all about.
The album is completed with the nice acoustic number ‘Black ‘N’ Blues’, and closer title track ‘Blow Me Away’, a furious melodic hard rocker full of hot blood and another highlight.

Nova Rex remained active and released other albums but with a different vocalist, and musically more hard rock oriented.
”Blow Me Away” pretty much makes justice to its title, mixing late ’80s LA glam metal with classy melodic hard rock with AOR touches, and indie album very, very well recorded & produced, and this Retrospect Records CD reissue sounds great.
Highly Recommended

01 – Bitch
02 – Think Of Me
03 – Children Of The Night
04 – Can’t Find Love
05 – Alone Tonight
06 – Black And Blues
07 – Blow Me Away

Abbie Stancato – lead vocals
J.P. Cervoni – lead and rhythm guitars
Kenny Wilkerson – bass
Tim Berry – drums
Tony Artino – guitars in 7, guitar solo in 3

out of print