THE LADDER – The Ladder ’86 [Rock Candy remaster] (2024) *HQ*

Not to be confused with the Steve Overland side-band of the same name, this THE LADDER was an American mid-80s studio project put together by keyboard player Joe Parente with his producer brother Lou. Atlantic / ATCO signed them and released their one and only self-titled album in 1986.
“The Ladder” features an awesome collection of killer rockin’ AOR / Melodic Rock tunes with a first class production. One of the most overlooked yet best albums from these beloved genres during the ’80s. There’s excellent choruses, sophisticated guitars, tons of synths / keyboards and bombastic drums courtesy of Joe Franco (Fiona, Twisted Sister, Chilliwack). ALL songs are great, believe us.
So it’s not a surprise Rock Candy Records are remastering / officially reissuing for the first time “The Ladder” for all AOR / Melodic Rock aficionados.

Sometimes a record appears out of nowhere which literally takes your breath away. So it is with The Ladder, a sensational five piece with virtually no pedigree to speak of, yet fully loaded with talent and a raging desire to make as big an impression as humanly possible.
The fact that their sole album failed to make a commercial impact is neither here nor there but nearly 35 years after its release we are still talking about its enduring and timeless quality.

Originating from Philadelphia, the band was formed from an ad hoc musical collective that had been involved with a number of different mostly non rock projects. The only member with a history was drummer Joe Franco formerly of the Good Rats and later to perform with Twisted Sister.
At the centre of this cabal were brother’s Lou and Joe Parente, both men responsible for most of the songwriting. Leading the charge however was previously unknown vocalist Frank Mancano whose style and timbre was immediately compared to the likes of Lou Gramm, Joe Lynn Turner and Steve Perry.

Signed to ATCO, the sister label of Atlantic Records, the album was issued in October 1986 and failed to cause even the smallest ripple of interest except – as we’ve learnt from other similar acts – small pockets of support in the European press. With no internet or social media at the time the odds were truly stacked against them.
Including infinitely strong songs such as ‘Time Soldier’, ‘Breakdown’, ‘Standin’ and the knock-out punch of ‘Double Shot Of Love’ the album is now considered one of the greatest lost treasures of the Eighties.
A welcomed release, as Rock Candy recent picks for reissue were a bit disappointing. “The Ladder” is pure ’80s gold.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – Daydreams At Night
02 – Double Shot Of Love
03 – Time Soldier
04 – Don’t Turn Me Away
05 – Breakdown
06 – Standin’
07 – Women Have Secrets
08 – Lie To Me
09 – Lover
10 – Dancing In The Dark

Frank Mancano – lead vocals
Joe Parente – keyboards
Tim Jordan – guitars
Doug Grigsby – bass
Joe Franco – drums
Lou Parente – additional keyboards, percussion
Rob Hardin – additional keyboards, percussion

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