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Moritz: Undivided

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.0/5.0

Avenue of Allies
Website MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  01.24.2011

Avenue of Americas presents Undivided, a new album from the little known UK AOR melodic rock band Moritz. (Harmony Factory (UK) released Undivided in the UK in May 2010.) Like many upstart bands in the Eighties, Moritz, while quite talented and promising, never caught a break, or label interest. Demos and material from their early days resurfaced in 2008 on City Streets (The Harmony Factory), garnering some praise. Moritz reminds of everything from Boston to Foreigner, REO to Journey, and sometimes heavier stuff.

Considering the never-ending presence of AOR, and its current swelling popularity, Moritz's Undivided is a welcome addition. Listening to the title track and the heavier and rockin' Same But Different, Moritz could've been, should've been, mammoth back in the day. Thankfully, we get to enjoy their talent today. Any Time at All and Never Together are two more killer tracks that prove AOR has bigger balls than you would expect. Then the crooners Can't Stop the Angels and radio friendly Should've Been Gone remind us why we love those AOR melodic rock ballads. Some songs, though certainly creative, come off a bit dull like the opener Power to the Music and Lonely Without You. The two closing numbers rock, but seem derivative. (Also, the album cover art is pure shit. Even I, with limited Photoshop skills, could have done much better!)

Nevertheless, these songs are still fundamental, so don't take the criticism too harshly. Moritz' Undivided is a fine platter of AOR melodic rock, even a bit heavier at times. Despite their unfortunate past, I'm hoping Moritz is here to stay. Let's hope we hear more from this talented band. Quite recommended.

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

Moritz' Undivided is a fine platter of AOR melodic rock, even a bit heavier at times. Despite their unfortunate past, I'm hoping Moritz is here to stay. Let's hope we hear more from this talented band.

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