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Simon Says: Spin This (Reissue)

Melodic Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

Website (Label)
Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.08.2020 | Released: 14.08.2020

Perhaps relatively unknown to many melodic rock fans, Simon Says was a band from Canada's Quebec province which had some success in their native country. The band released a seven song EP, Spin This, in 1991 yielding the single, The Promise, which received generous radio play.

Simon Says (circa 1991)

Now, Escape Music has dusted off the tapes, remastered the music, and reissued Spin This with new artwork and six additional bonus tracks. The pressing will be limited 1,000 copies, each individually numbered. It should be noted that the review copy received did not include all seven songs from the original EP and only four of the bonus tracks. But I can promise you that will not be disappointed with the reissue.

Musically, Simon Says plays classic Eighties melodic rock in AOR wrapper. Most songs here turn on an upbeat rhythm and groove giving the tunes almost a pop accessibility. You'll find this with Love Thing, Let Me Know, or Why In The World from the original EP. Alternatively, Simon Says can get a tad heavier with Dreaming, New Year's Resolution, and then faster and stronger with the riff rocker Simon Says from the bonus tracks. After these things, I was quite impressed with the vocal arrangements, particularly the harmony, but also the strength and range of Johnny Zatylny' voice.

All said, Simon Says and Spin This offer fans vintage and entertaining AOR melodic rock. If you know the band and their music, but don't have this album. Jump on it. There's only 1,000 copies and I suspect they'll sell quickly.

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

Simon Says and Spin This offer fans vintage and entertaining AOR melodic rock. If you know the band and their music, but don't have this album. Jump on it. There's only 1,000 copies and I suspect they'll sell quickly.

Alphabetical Index

The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]