Stun Leer – Once

Stun Leer’s music is at the heavier end of the spectrum, with massive walls of guitars from Michael McCabe, ginormous drumwork from guest drummer Anthony Resta and lovely keyboard touches from guest keyboardist Paul Cervone, there’s no let-up throughout.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Stun Leer
ALBUM: Once
LABEL: MTM Music
SERIAL: 995.648
YEAR: 1998
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Doug Howard – vocals * Michael McCabe – guitars * Paul Michael – bass * Paul Cervone – guest keyboards * Anthony Resta – guest drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Love Is A Liar * 02 Go Don’t Go * 03 If You Want Love * 04 Eye To Eye * 05 Foolin’ * 06 No Words Can Say * 07 Come To Me * 08 All The Kings Horses * 09 Hungry Eyes * 10 Deliver

WEBLINKS: NA

Background

Some of us had the opportunity of hearing Stun Leer many years before this album came out. In fact as early as 1990/91 were there demo’s in circulation of Stun Leer’s material, most of what is now the ‘Once’ album. The quality of those demo’s by this Boston based outfit oozed class, and made some wonder why they never got a deal at the time.

Who knows, in any case, it’s nice to know that Stun Leer are alive and well after all this time, and that MTM made the decision to get this monstrous slab of melodic rock out on CD! Yee Hah! Lead singer is the former Touch bassist Doug Howard. He leaves that behind and focuses on vocals, and he’s excellent. It’s a wonder he never did more when with Touch, perhaps Craig Brooks didn’t give him a look in.

However, Stun Leer’s music is at the heavier end of the spectrum, with massive walls of guitars from Michael McCabe, ginormous drumwork from guest drummer Anthony Resta and lovely keyboard touches from guest keyboardist Paul Cervone. There’s no let-up throughout, and it’s full frontal in your face hard melodic rock. In amongst that are harmony vocals which are right up there with the likes of Def Leppard and Blue Tears. The production by Bob St John tops off precedings nicely.

The Songs

There are some essential class rockers here: ‘Go Don’t Go’ ,’Eye To Eye’ and ‘Hungry Eyes’ stand out like the proverbial sore thumb, whilst the burning and brooding ‘If You Want Love’ and ‘Foolin’ gives new meaning to the phrase ‘power ballad’.

In Summary

For me this album is like preaching to the converted. Problem is.. I was converted to Stun Leer years ago, so it comes as no surprise to me. For those picking up on this band for the first time I have to say to you – ‘where have you been the last few years?’ Get out there and get this album pronto. I await album #2 with great anticipation.

Video

Eye To Eye