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Soleil Moon: Warrior

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.08.2019 | Released: 09.08.2019

Hailing from Chicago, Soleil Moon is an AOR melodic rock band led by music industry veteran and vocalist Larry King. Since their arrival in 1999, the band has released two albums, Worlds Apart (2000) and On The Way To Everything (2011), both finding success in Adult Contemporary charts. Additionally, the former album featured notable musicians from the realms of rock and jazz including Michael Thompson, Paul Jackson, Warren Hill, and Lenny Castro. Guitarist Michael Thompson also guests on Soleil Moon's latest and third album Warrior.

Soleil Moon's Larry King

But don't be fooled by the album art. To be honest, when I first saw the artwork, I was expecting some heavy power metal, possibly even symphonic female-fronted metal. Nope. King and Soleil Moon develop ear-friendly, arena ready, AOR melodic rock with more than a few nods to the Westcoast groove. With a vocalist at the helm, the songs revolve around King's clean and melodic vocal arrangements, tuned to the harmony of the compositions. King, without little doubt, is an exceptional vocalist, adding both emotion and soul to his song harmony. Additionally, many songs move by the melody of the piano line developed by jazz pianist John Blasucci. Also, synths can add some symphonic embellishments. And Michael Thompson doesn't disappoint with his crisp and soaring guitar solos. Ultimately, all these things congeal for a single purpose, crafting a viable and catchy melodic rock song.

And Soleil Moon will not disappoint you. Catchy and up beat rockers arrive with How Long, You And I, Can't Go On, and Warrior. Something of that Westcoast breeze and groove comes with '72 Camaro. Anthemic ballads are staple of AOR Adult Contemporary music and you find them with Halfway To Nowhere, Before The Rainbow, and Here For You. Needless to say, if you haven't heard or experienced Soleil Moon, now is the time. Warrior is an exceptional album of creative and pleasing AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

Stranded: New Dawn

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.5/5.0

Perhaps you've never heard of the obscure Canadian band Stranded, or its principal visionary, multi-instrumentalist and song writer Lewis Nitikman. Neither have I ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you haven't heard or experienced Soleil Moon, now is the time. Warrior is an exceptional album of creative and pleasing AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]