ARRIVAL – Arrival (2016)
Finally officially released few days ago, “Arrival” is the debut from New York based five-piece Melodic Rock / AOR band ARRIVAL.
Arrival was formed in Long Island, New York, in 1992. Their sound harkened back to the glory days of ’80s Arena Rock, with soaring vocals, sharp guitars, lots of keyboards and big choruses. The band recorded a lot of songs between 1992-93, but with grunge taking the music world by storm and destroying everything related to melody, all their material sat idle for more than two decades… until now.
Featuring Warren Passaro (lead vocals), Laz Novak (guitar), Steve Gerraputa (bass, vocals), Craig Higgins (keyboards, vocals) and Johnny Rizzo (drums), Arrival spent the early ’90s playing the Long Island / New York club and venue circuit opening for such acts as Zebra, Joe Lynn Turner and Badfinger, among others.
During 1992/93 the guys recorded twelve original songs in the do-it-yourself manner that was part of the home recording boom. These recordings were actually pretty good considering the gear, experience (or lack thereof) and sonic limitations of the recording environments available (in other words, bedrooms, basements and attics, with guitar amps stuffed in closets… you get the idea).
Arrival printed up demo cassettes at that time, featuring only half of the songs they eventually recorded using them to get bookings and hand out at shows. As technology advanced, and opportunities opened up for independent artists to get their music released and heard, it was high time for Arrival to join the party.
Melodic Rock / AOR has continued to reach its fan core in spite of trends, and Arrival decided to release their stuff for all the fans of the genre to enjoy.
The twelve songs on this album represent the band’s entire recorded output between ’92-’93.
And let me tell you something; if you are fan of classic Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, Surrender and other Melodic Rock torchbearers, you will fall in love with Arrival.
This is pure AOR / Melodic Rock with a definitive Eighties sound & feel (check the video snippet). All these tunes were recorded in the early Nineties, but the sound is inspired in the ’80s. I mean, even the guy’s look, haircut, clothes, are absolutely Eighties.
The immediate and most recognizable style over these wonderful 12 tracks is Journey 1981-84 period. I can hear a touch of melodious progressive textures akin Kansas and Zebra as well on some compositions, adding even more appeal.
The melodies, the vocal harmonies, the crunchy guitar riffs supplied by Laz Novak, the keyboard swirls and the heavenly choruses are to die for.
To those who still love Journey at their best era, and everything what would be coined as AOR / Arena Rock / radio friendly Melodic Rock, “ARRIVAL” is a true delight.
These guys may have ‘arrived’ later into the scene, but after all, “it was twenty years ago today…”.
Don’t miss this some kind of lost little gem.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Who’s To Blame
02 – Love Comes And Goes
03 – You Saved
04 – Nobody’s Business
05 – Room Of Tears
06 – Cold And Alive
07 – Killing Us Inside
08 – Where Will We Be
09 – Last Roll Of The Dice
10 – You
11 – Like You Do
12 – Without Your Love
Warren Passaro – lead vocals
Laz Novak – guitar
Steve Gerraputa – bass, vocals
Craig Higgins – keyboards, vocals
Johnny Rizzo – drums
BUY IT !
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