Year : 2016
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , AOR
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 180 mb
Bio:
New England was an American rock band that was mainly active from 1978-1982. The group was best known for their first single, "Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya", which received heavy radio exposure on Album-oriented rock (AOR) stations and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1979. The follow up "Hello, Hello, Hello" also received some airplay. New England described their sound as "power-melodic-song-oriented rock"John Fannon, Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea and Hirsh Gardner formed the band in the Boston area. They were discovered by Kiss manager Bill Aucoin. Paul Stanley helped the band record and produce their self-titled debut album, along with producer Mike Stone, known for his work with Queen and Asia among many others. The group went on tour in support of Kiss, but New England slid between the cracks of other Aucoin projects. The group's success stalled when their record label Infinity Records was absorbed by its parent company, MCA Records in 1980.The group moved to Elektra Records for their second album, Explorer Suite. That album garnered almost no notice however the first single was the album's title. Apparently, the powers that be at Elektra wanted "Explorer Suite" released as a single since Queen had their monster hit, "Bohemian Rhapsody". However, their songs, "Living In The Eighties" and "Converstation" received more airplay than did the intended single. "Explorer Suite" has since become a sought after CD by AOR fans.Todd Rundgren's production on the slightly harder-rocking third album, Walking Wild, also did not improve sales. The perfect choice of a song to release for radio would have been, "Don't Ever Let Me Go". New England then dissolved with Gary Shea and Jimmy Waldo joining the band Alcatrazz.After the break-up, all of the members remained in the music industry. In late 2002, New England reunited to record "More Than You'll Ever Know", a song from the Hirsh Gardner solo album, entitled Wasteland For Broken Hearts. It marked the first time the group recorded together in 20 years. In recent years, the band has reunited for a few live shows in the Boston area. Gary and Jimmy guest appearances at various musical instrument conventions such as the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in places like Anaheim, California.The reissue label Renaissance Records has released a CD version of the first album. GB Records has released the other two albums on CD, plus a live album and an album of early recording studio/studio sound recordings and reproduction/recordings made before the debut album.In 2009, Wounded Bird Records reissued Explorer Suite and Walking Wild on CD.While occasionally doing single reunion shows for charity, in May of 2014 John Fannon discussed New England having new studio work and a possible full tour for 2015 during his solo appearance on the Concert TV series, On Stage with Mantis. Work is progressing and details are expected by Spring 2015.
Album:
Another remaster by Rock Candy Records fans were waiting for it's the sophomore effort by the Boston-based super pompsters NEW ENGLAND: "Explorer Suite".Produced by Mike Stone, who also worked with Queen, Journey and Asia, "Explorer Suite" is a very large-sounding work by a band that deserved to be as popular as Stone's other clients. To the pomp of the debut album, on "Explorer Suite" New England fuel-injects a heavy, melodic rock element comparable to the greatest acts from the era.Crammed full of incredibly energetic songs such as "Livin' In The Eighties", "Honey Money", "Searchin’" and "Hey You’re On The Run", New England’s penchant for melody was obviously second to none. Additionally the band used also some great multi-vocal harmonies reminding the likes of Styx at their best, evident in the softer numbers as "Conversation", a nice change from the incessant bombast Stone and bandleader John Fannon splash on these tunes. It emerges as one of the best tracks on this release. "It's Never Too Late" has a great, commercial catchy hook, but title track "Explorer Suite" is the 'big production' number, the 'We Will Rock You' showpiece that New England and this album are remembered for."Seal It With a Kiss" is rife with thick keyboards, backing vocals and classy '80s guitar, while "No Place to Go" is as elegant a ballad as Yes or Queen could devise, but with more of an edge and pomp-stastic. New England had that 'cosmic edge', making the group truly a unique darling among arena rock bands, and having a group with this much talent performing at regional clubs was a treat.Managed by Bill Aucoin who handled Kiss, major producers and a great sound, it's amazing that the band didn't sell millions of records. New England might have just been in the wrong part of the country for this style of music.But with the years, "Explorer Suite" gained a deserved cult status among hard / melodic rock, AOR, pomp rock and even progressive rock fans world wide.A more than welcomed remaster with a very good sound.
Line Up:
John Fannon - guitars, vocals
Jimmy Waldo - keyboards, vocals
Gary Shea - bass
Hirsh Gardner - drums, vocals
Tracklist:
01. Honey Money
02. Livin' In The Eighties
03. Conversation
04. It's Never Too Late
05. Explorer Suite
06. Seal It With A Kiss
07. Hey You're On The Run
08. No Place To Go
09. Searchin'
10. Hope
11. You'll Be Born Again
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