DAKOTA - Runaway [Rock Candy remaster + bonus] (2012)

*

Formed by vocalists / guitarists Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly, DAKOTA had their roots in the '70s as ex members of The Buoys and Jerry/Kelly Band, before signing to Columbia and releasing their eponymous debut in 1980.

In 1984 Dakota released their 2nd album, now regarded as one of the high points of the '80s AOR genre.
Titled "Runaway", recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, the album contains nine of the most celebrated AOR / Melodic Rock tracks ever recorded.
It is the songwriting of Hludzik and Kelly that makes an immediate impact; laced with copious melody, huge hooks and musical support from a long list of the best L.A. session players. You will recognize some of the players that were involved in this album such as Paul Jackson JR, Steve Porcaro, Richie Zito, Neil Steubenhaus and Bill Champlin to name few.
The sound is a fine blend of Pomp rock, catchy Melodic Rock and sumptuous AOR, with touches of Trillion, Styx, Peter Frampton and Toto. Superb melodies with stylized layered harmonies, twin guitars balanced with two keyboard players, and solid bass and drums that provide a dynamic rhythm.

The album opens up with the classic AOR tune "Runaway". This is a perfect AOR-song that has everything from big hooklines, fluffy keyboards and harmony vocals. Pure ecstasy.
"Heroes" is a lovely mid-tempo song with great piano/keyboards in the background through the whole song. In some moments it sounds very much like Meat Loaf going AOR.
"Into The Night" goes in the same style as "Runaway". The sound is huge and filled with awesome hookylines ala Survivor. Bill Kelly sings like a God on this one and the background vocals are fantastic.
"Angry Men" starts off slow with Bill sounding like Dave Brickle but turns out to a rocker in the chorus. The whole song smells Survivor for a long way and I'm sure that Peterik and Sullivan would have loved to have this song on the 'Vital Signs' album.
The guitar / keyboard interplay stands out on "When The Rebel Comes Home". "Love Won't Easy" is another big, monster AOR song, and "If Only I'd Known It" is more of a ballad, with a good melodic guitar solo.


This Rock Candy re-issue at 24-bit remastering from original source tapes is just awesome. Not only the sound is terrific, it includes two very good Bonus tracks as well.
"Believin`" is a straight ahead AOR-rocker with lovely keyboards and a killer chorus with great background vocals. "More Love" sounds kinda like a Franke & The Knockouts tune, very '80s radio friendly.
This CD is an AOR masterpiece that should be included in every AOR collection.
Mandatory purchase.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Runaway
02 - Tonight Could Last Forever
03 - Heroes
04 - When The Rebel Comes Home
05 - Love Won't Easy
06 - Into The Night
07 - Angry Men
08 - If Only I'd Known It
09 - Over And Over
10 - Believin' (Bonus Track)
11 - More Love (Bonus Track)


Jerry Hludzik: vocals, guitars
Bill Kelly: vocals, guitars, keyboards
Rick Manwiller: piano, keyboards
Neil Stubenhaus, Bill McHale: bass
Danny Seraphine: drums
Steve Porcaro, Chris Pinnick, Richie Zito: add. guitars
Paul Jackson Jr.: add. guitars & bass
Jeff Mitchell: electric piano on track 11
Tony Romano: drums on track 11
Bill Champlin: backing vocals




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www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8699658