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Michael Thompson Band: The Love Goes On
Michael Thompson Band - The Love Goes On Album Art

MTB: The Love Goes On

AOR Melodic Rock
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 09.05.2023 | Released: 12.05.2023

With little doubt, in his fifty-some year career, guitarist and composer Michael Thompson has become a legend for his fret work and the go-to studio musician for the same. When he's not helping or collecting royalties from his work in television (Fame, Miami Vice, etc), film (Heat, The Rock, Romeo Must Die, et al) or music (Faith Hill, Seal, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, and about a thousand more), Thompson finds time to record solo material under his namesake band, The Michael Thompson Band (MTB). His 1989 debut album, How Long is still considered an iconic AOR melodic rock album.

Michael Thompson Click For Larger Image

Michael Thompson

Which brings us to 2023 and MTB's fourth studio album, The Love Goes On. This recording reunites Thompson with original MTB vocalist Moon Calhoun (The Strand, Moon Over Paris, Western Front) from the How Long era. You will find as you listen to the new album that Calhoun is, one, in fine form and, two, has a melodic and soulful style that accentuates Thompson's skills. Along with himself, Calhoun, and bass player Tom Croucier (brother to Ratt's Juan), the trio wrote all the songs for The Love Goes On.


If you recall MTB's previous album, Love & Beyond, it was a mixture of vocal songs and guitar-forward instrumentals. With Calhoun on board for this one, the entire album is vocal songs driven by Thompson's guitar work and then infuses with essential AOR melodic rock elements: rock rhythm and groove, strong song melody and vocal harmony, and catchy refrains. Historically, Thompson's solo work has had various West Coast AOR genre influences. That returns here with songs like A Picture Of You, In Your Arms, The Love Goes On, or Just What It Takes. However, that last song is also an example of more spry, bit heavier, melodic rock songs. Others include Higher and What Keeps You Alive. I wanted to say that what really "sells" this album is Thompson's creative guitar work. But after several spins, what makes this album exceptional is flawless pairing of Thompson and Calhoun within each song.

All said, and simply, The Michael Thompson Band's The Love Goes On is a superb, well-crafted, and entertaining album of AOR melodic rock, driven by Thompson's guitar licks and complimented by Moon Calhoun's smooth vocals. The album is destined to be an AOR classic. Quite recommended.

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The Take Away

All said, and simply, The Michael Thompson Band's The Love Goes On is a superb, well-crafted, and entertaining album of AOR melodic rock, driven by Thompson's guitar licks and complimented by Moon Calhoun's smooth vocals. The album is destined to be an AOR classic. Quite recommended.

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