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September 2024

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July 2024

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Palace: Reckless Heart

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 11.07.2024 | Released: 12.07.2024

Irecently watched the latest reboot of Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop franchise, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. This, in turn, led me and my wife to revisiting the previous three, starting with 1984's Beverly Hills Cop. With other popular films like the Lethal Weapon series and the infamous Jon Hughes teen flicks, the soundtrack is a key component, made up of songs from a variety of genres of the day. I say all this to introduce multi-instrumentalist Mike Palace and his eponymous project's latest and fifth album, Reckless Heart. With a love of all things Eighties and AOR, Palace takes listeners into a deep dive of the genre.

Michael Palace

Of Reckless Heart, Palace states: It was time to go back to the roots, as they say, and finally make that true '80s AOR album that I've dreamt of creating since I started Palace. It's the missing link between 1985 and 2024. Once more the album is a DIY project wherein Palace plays all instruments and handles all production. His signature melodic vocals, vocal arrangements, and skilled guitar solos are at the forefront.

Giving Reckless Heart a spin or two, you quickly discover that Palace is an Eighties AOR melodic rock wiz kid. There's a fine mix of straight up rockers and AOR anthems. For some stronger melodic rock listen for Turn This Car Around, The Widow's Web, Reckless Heart, Girl Is An Angel or the album's raison d'etre, Back To '85. Perhaps more West coast AOR are Weightless, For The Love, and You Give Me A Reason To Live, a song that seems to suggest a ballad, but builds to an anthem.

But the killer track here is Back In Your Arms. Between the bright synths, song melody, vocal and guitar harmony, amazing refrain, and terrific solo, this is signature AOR melodic rock defined. The song should have been the first single off the album. No question.

All said, if you're a huge fan of AOR melodic rock past and present, you will want Mike Palace's Reckless Heart, wherein he brings the classic Eighties genre forward for a new generation. Easily 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.

If you're a huge fan of AOR melodic rock past and present, you will want Mike Palace's Reckless Heart, wherein he brings the classic Eighties genre forward for a new generation. Easily recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

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