8-IS - Frame Of Us (2011)

8-IS (read Eighties) hails from Rome, Italy, formed by drummer Franco Casini and guitarist Lorenzo Milone.
After the first listen to their debut album "Frame Of Us" it is obvious that both have listened and learned very well the entire catalogue of SURVIVOR, JOURNEY and such, but they also remind me a lot of the early '90s British AOR scene (bands like PASSION STREET, WALK THE WIRE, ATLANTIC, etc.)
The band is happily blessed with a very good lead singer, Marcello Catalano, he can switch between higher and lower notes easily, and together with guest bassist Andrea Casali and keyboard player Emanuele Casali they round a great combo.

"Frame Of Us" is a splendid album of pure AOR, with the hooks, keys and melodic guitar work all in place, spread out over the 10 included songs.
Opener "Everlasting Love" is a great uptempo AOR rocker that sounds like a perfect cross between the very first ALIEN and DAYTONA. This song grabs you instantly and gets your attention with its awesome chorus.
Following track "I’ll Be There" is a beautiful picture-perfect AOR ballad that comes dangerously close to a ROXUS or '80s LOVERBOY ballad. This is one of the finest pure AOR ballads I have heard in a very long time.

So we had an uptempo rocker and a ballad, well then it’s time for the midtempo tune and this is "Lady", a great AOR gem that somehow reminds me the German band STATEMENT or the Spanish GOLDEN FARM.
Track number 4 is called "The Final Courtain", also a semi-slow track, but a little more epic, yet with lovely melodies in the catchy haunting chorus, another terrific tune, with a lot of similarities to ATLANTIC’s one and only classic from the early '90s.
Then the band adds some '80s Westcoast-AOR in the slightly poppier "Fallin’ In Your Eyes", which once again is blessed with lovely classic melodies, reminding here a bit of the DAKOTA classic ‘Runaway’ and some TOTO.
Late '80s STRANGEWAYS comes alive in the semi-AOR ballad "On And On" that sounds better than anything on the recent new comeback album of STRANGEWAYS actually!

The CD continues with "If You Turn Around", a warm melody that takes some time to built up, but towards the end we’re getting close to AOR heaven, this song has JOURNEY / STREET TALK similarities.
"In My Life" starts quite promising and a little THE STORMish, with a great catchy hook/pre-chorus, but the na-na-na part of the chorus spoils it a bit.
Happily, the last 2 tracks are quite good again, the calmer slightly bluesy/soulful "Back To You" that has a touch of mid '90s JOURNEY and as closing track the piano ballad "Tomorrow Comes Tonite" (again very JOURNEYish) that shows the band’s lead singer at his very best, which is quite emotional and basically being a perfect AOR singer of whom we will hear hopefully much more in the near future.


"Frame Of Us" is a truly impressive album of pure AOR and after repeated listens I can guarantee you it belongs to the selected league of the finest releases in recent years.
This album was published last year with a different cover art but it wasn't properly released / distributed 'til 2011.
8-IS is classy AOR, very, very well done and is equal in quality to for example HOUSTON, H.E.A.T. and TERRA NOVA, although here and there it is even sounding better, thanks to a fantastic sound/production (mastered at the famous Sterling Sound in New York) and also the excellent musicianship & songwriting.
A MUST HAVE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



01 - Everlasting Love
02 - I'll Be There
03 - Lady
04 - The Final Courtain
05 - Fallin' In Your Eyes
06 - On And On
07 - If You Turn Around
08 - In My Life
09 - Back To You
10 - Tomorrow Comes Tonite


Marcello Catalano - Vocals
Emanuele Casali - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Lorenzo Milone - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Andrea Casali - Bass, Backing Vocals
Franco Casini - Drums





www.8-is.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!


Thanks Luis!