Stan Bush - Stan Bush - 1983 gdmonline.info

‘Stan Bush’ is a product of its era, when melodic rock was dominated by solo male artists. They specialised in crafting three minute songs with great hooks.

Written by: Dangerzone

ARTIST: Stan Bush
ALBUM: Stan Bush
LABEL: Scotti Bros
SERIAL: BFC 38798
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Stan Bush – vocals, guitar * David White, Leland Sklar, Dennis Belfield – bass * Mike Baird, Gary Mallaber – drums * Alan Pasqua, Rick Seratte – keyboards

TRACK LISTING: 01 It’s Hot * 02 Fire In My Heart * 03 Can’t Live Without Love * 04 Don’t Accuse Her * 05 Love Has Taken Me Away * 06 All American Boy * 07 Say The Word * 08 Time Isn’t Changing You * 09 Round And Round * 10 Keep Your Love Alive

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Table of Contents

Stan Bush Background

It’s somewhat of a personal shame that it’s taken me this long to finally hear Stan Bush’s debut. Especially after the years of reading and hearing about its merits in the 80’s AOR hierarchy.

Better late than never perhaps as this is a debut which ranks among the finest on vinyl. Even from this early vantage point, it’s clear Stan Bush was an immediate AOR force.

Most are well aware of Bush’s origins, he played in late 70’s rocker’s Boulder, who released one album in 1979. According to our editor it wasn’t so grand. (It was ok actually, after sitting down and listening to it properly. Ed).

Bush must have made an impact as he was given a solo deal by Columbia who perhaps were looking for their own Rick Springfield. They duly found it in Bush, who had the looks, charisma and above all, talent to carry such a load.

He wasn’t as successful commercially off the bat, but for AOR purity this album can barely be bettered.

The Songs

The Springfield comparisons are immediate from the opening bars of ‘It’s Hot’. It recalls his ‘Working Class Dog’ era.

This is a classic in its own right, the track thrilling from start to finish. It has a hook that stuck in my head for days.

The style is heavy AOR, and hardly the power pop nonsense I’ve read in the past. The drums and riffs are too heavy to be saddled with ‘pop’ accusations.

Highlights are plenty, including the brooding and serious ‘Don’t Accuse Her’ and the (again) Springfield like ‘Fire In My Heart’. That one ripples with melodic enthusiasm.

‘All American Boy’ was later covered by Van Stephenson and Y&T of course. But this track has never moved me, perhaps ‘too’ American.

‘Can’t Live Without Love’ makes the ballad grade easily, while ‘Say The Word’ threatens to burst from the speakers in all its AOR glory.

Further delights are found in the incredible ‘Love Has Taken Me Away’ and ‘Keep Your Love Alive’, both of which have to be heard. This is the type of AOR which makes a grown man shake his head in disbelief!

The keyboards are set to stun during ‘Round And Round’. It’s a jaunty rocker which captures a sense of vitality, a man on top of his game.

In Summary

I wouldn’t compare this to the debut ‘Michael Bolton’ album in terms of all round quality. It’s pretty close all the same. It was good to have artists crop up like this during the early 80’s, knowing the genre was in good hands.

And while Bush’s 1987 ‘Stan Bush And Barrage’ is recognised by most as his essential work I prefer this. It has that aura, that feeling you know you’re listening to something magical. Bush has made a habit of that during his career.

Inevitably ‘Stan Bush’ is a product of its era, when melodic rock was dominated by solo male artists. They specialised in crafting three minute songs with great hooks. But that’s all we ever really wanted isn’t it? Suddenly the future has never seemed so bleak (too right.. Ed).