"ONCE" by StunLeer

Produced by StunLeer, Bob St. John and Anthony J. Resta
MTM Music, 1998 995648

Track Listings: Love Is A Liar/ Go Don't Go/ If You Want Love/ Eye To Eye/Foolin'/ No Words Can Say/Come To Me/ All The King's Horses/ Hungry Eyes/ Deliver.

The latest AOR band to make it on the scene this year is the Boston based band, STUNLEER with their smashing debut release, 'Once'. The band features Doug Howard on vocals, formerly of the band Touch. Michael Mcabe on guitar, who jammed with Nuno Bettencourt in the band Sinful, before Bettencourt got the gig with Extreme. The mastermind of the band is bass player, Paul Michaels. Together this power trio have recorded one of the finest AOR CDs released this year. Influenced heavily by the 80's hard rock sound, StunLeer are here to prove that even in a time when rock music has all but be forgotten, AOR hard rock music is alive and still kicking!

Originally, the material on the CD was recorded back in 1988. Ten years later the band finally get the opportunity to let the world hear them. In between that time the band sent demos out and got rave reviews in return. I am just glad that MTM Music recognized how good this band is and gave them a chance. Delivering standard rock numbers like, "Love Is A Liar", once the music starts it will have your undivided attention. The first single, "Go Don't Go", is a melodic mid-temp mover that has everything anyone could want to an AOR band. Great vocals and superb musicianship. StunLeer do a great job mixing it up with straight ahead rocker with a good dose of melodic power ballads. Power ballads like, "No Words Can Say" and the heart tugging mover, "If You Want Love".

As I listened to StunLeer, I could not help but feel like I was in a time machine. Remembering when I would turned the radio on and head great song after great song. Now only if radio stations will play music by bands like StunLeer, what a beautiful world this would be. Why can't radio stations here in the States open up and play rock music of all genres. Instead of keeping to formats that are so repetitious to the point that its stupid. A band as good as StunLeer should be getting major support not only from radio but also MTV. There have been so many bands that had promising careers only to fade away. I guess that's why I am writing this.

If you want to hear a band that sounds great and knows how to deliver, check out, 'Once' by StunLeer and hear what I'm talking about. 'Once', is a winner and one of the best AOR CDs I've heard this year. Just hit play and let the music take you for a rock and roll ride that you will surely not forget. One CD that I would highly recommend to any fan of AOR music and any fan that loves rock music in general. StunLeer, well on their way to the top and putting hard rock music back where it belongs, ON TOP!

THE ATOMIC CHASER'S ROCKERS AND ROLLERS CD Pick Of The Month
for Dedicated Rocker Productions, © 1998