FRONTLINE (USA) – Frontology 1983-1993 [Retrospect Records 2-CD release]

320_1 /// 320_2

As requested, here’s all the recordings from FRONTLINE, not the mighty German melodic hard rock act, but an obscure American, California-based AOR / Westcoast / Melodic Rock combo. While only operating in the underground and only having released by themselves distributed hand by hand, FRONTLINE professionally recorded a lot of songs during their 10-year existence.
Thanks to Retrospect Records, all FRONTLINE recordings were preserved in the 2-CD release “Frontology 1983-1993“. Across that period, Frontline morphed in sound according to times, but always with melody as focus and with stupendous musicianship. Think Toto, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald (Frontline supported him), Ambrosia, Chicago, Starship, Glass Tiger… varied but quality material.
‘Change of Season’, the great 87-88 midtempo AOR of ‘If I Knew Better’ and ‘Heartless’, ‘Make a Play’, ‘Don’t Look Down’ are among the highlights, however, as said, despite the bunch of songs (24 tracks), songwriting is consistent all over.

Frontline was basically comprised of three members: two vocalists, Dan Durkin and Philipp Growes, and a guitarist, John Lawrence. They’ve toured quite a bit with artists like Michael McDonald and groups like Little Feat, but they’ve never actually released a full album.
And when you hear the quality of the music on offer, you can’t help but scratch you head.

The band was a regular at Uncle Charlie’s, the Corte Madera club that launched Huey Lewis and the News in the ‘80s. Frontline was a finalist in a contest sponsored by Yamaha, playing its original songs in front of Quincy Jones and other music industry heavyweights in a Southern California showcase.
Record labels came calling, but the music industry is fickle. At the end of the ’80s, attention shifted to the grunge scene and other Seattle plaid shirt bands.

Frontline navigate between grandiose Westcoast, high-level AOR, Melodic Rock at times with sharp guitars, even Hi-Tech AOR on a couple of tracks. The compositions are varied, melodically excellent, and feature two very good singers. Furthermore, there are many keyboards and a ubiquitous saxophone, which certainly doesn’t hurt.
Released in 2009 and with almost zero promotion from Retrospect Records, or at least, a brief bio of Frontline, this 2-CD release passed completely overlooked by many fans of the genre. And it’s a shame, because this is very good.
Highly Recommended

CD 1
01 – Nadine (1990)
02 – Make A Play (1990)
03 – Heaven In High Heels (1990)
04 – Don’t Look Down (1990)
05 – Night In The Life (1990)
06 – Heartless (1988)
07 – Change Of Season (1988)
08 – Fire In Her Eyes (1988)
09 – If I Knew Better (1987)
10 – The Way Of The World (1987)
11 – Where Were You (1987)
12 – The Hardest Fight (1987)

CD 2
01 – When I’m Gone (1986)
02 – Always Changing (1986)
03 – Lost In Love (1986)
04 – Tuesday’s Gone (1986)
05 – Jessica Anne (1986)
06 – Into The Night (1986)
07 – Lighthouse (1983)
08 – I’m With You Now (1983)
09 – Right Back In Your Arms (1983)
10 – Do Me One Small Favor (1983)
11 – She Comes And Goes (1983 Bonus)
12 – Even The Nights (1993 Bonus)

Dan Durkin – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars
Phillip Groves – Lead Vocals, Percussion
John Lawrence – Lead & Rhythm Guitars
with:
Ian Hoffman – Drums, Percussion
Tony Prael – Keyboards, Vocals
Tony Alosi, Alan Kamal, Segovia Bader – Bass
Rich Dransfield, Keith Crossa – Sax
Lyne Ray, Annie Stocking Backing Vocals

out of print