OT: "AOR" - Define? List?

[venomnation]

Okay. I've been commissioned by a few of my loyal listeners to do an all AOR show....I've featured AOR bands here and there, I love the genre. But I need a little help with this. I don't want to go out and play a bunch of stuff everyone's heard...my show is known for playing stuff that's NOT on radio every day. So. How do YOU define the "AOR" genre, and tell me (make a list as long as you want) of the bands YOU think are the greatest AOR bands ever....

Thanks for the help!

Steve (Venom Nation)

[StoneCold]

Maro's lists would be a great source of material.

http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=36828

[Saint John]

Top 10 as far as hits, influence and talent:

Journey
Foreigner
Survivor
REO Speedwagon
Toto
Boston
Styx
Loverboy
Asia
Night Ranger

[S2M]

Top 10 as far as hits, influence and talent:

Journey
Foreigner
Survivor
REO Speedwagon
Toto
Boston
Styx
Loverboy
Asia
Night Ranger

Popularity, notariety, and hits aren't a formula for 'most talented'.....alot of the groups on Dan's site, 'Heavy Harmonies' are as, if not more talented than most of the bands who claim to be talented.....

I'll take Danger Danger, Harem Scarem, and Emerald rain over Toto, Reo, and Survivor anyday......

[Saint John]

Popularity, notariety, and hits aren't a formula for 'most talented'.....alot of the groups on Dan's site, 'Heavy Harmonies' are as, if not more talented than most of the bands who claim to be talented.....

I was merely answering his fucking request: " the bands YOU think are the greatest AOR bands ever.... "

I'll take Danger Danger, Harem Scarem, and Emerald rain over Toto, Reo, and Survivor anyday......

And you'd have about 6 fucking listeners.

[S2M]

Popularity, notariety, and hits aren't a formula for 'most talented'.....alot of the groups on Dan's site, 'Heavy Harmonies' are as, if not more talented than most of the bands who claim to be talented.....

I was merely answering his fucking request: " the bands YOU think are the greatest AOR bands ever.... "

I'll take Danger Danger, Harem Scarem, and Emerald rain over Toto, Reo, and Survivor anyday......

And you'd have about 6 fucking listeners.

There's no accounting for taste, and as we know through Spears, 50 Cent, and the like.....'He, or she who hath the most listeners, isn't neccesarily the most talented....'

And there's no need to spew vulgarities at me, Sj,.....

PLUS, I don't know about anyone else, but I just cannot bear to hear Can't Fight this Feeling, Amanda, The Search is Over, Heat of the Moment, Cold as Ice, Africa, Mr. Roboto, or Sister Christian anymore in my lifetime....

[Deb]

Popularity, notariety, and hits aren't a formula for 'most talented'.....alot of the groups on Dan's site, 'Heavy Harmonies' are as, if not more talented than most of the bands who claim to be talented.....

I was merely answering his fucking request: " the bands YOU think are the greatest AOR bands ever.... "

I'll take Danger Danger, Harem Scarem, and Emerald rain over Toto, Reo, and Survivor anyday......

And you'd have about 6 fucking listeners.

There's no accounting for taste, and as we know through Spears, 50 Cent, and the like.....'He, or she who hath the most listeners, isn't neccesarily the most talented....'

And there's no need to spew vulgarities at me, Sj,.....

PLUS, I don't know about anyone else, but I just cannot bear to hear Can't Fight this Feeling, Amanda, The Search is Over, Heat of the Moment, Cold as Ice, Africa, Mr. Roboto, or Sister Christian anymore in my lifetime....

Go get em, Stockton!

[DrFU]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

[Saint John]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

lol...I can't decide which day has a more pathetic bill. Mitch Malloy...lol

[DrFU]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

lol...I can't decide which day has a more pathetic bill. Mitch Malloy...lol

Hope you got lots of cell phone minutes ...

[Vladan]

Top 10 as far as hits, influence and talent:

Journey
Foreigner
Survivor
REO Speedwagon
Toto
Boston
Styx
Loverboy
Asia
Night Ranger

Agreed!.

Strong and accurate list! in terms of talent, sales, "Quality", the masses. I also like GIANT, but they didn't do as well as a lot of those bands.

[Vladan]

I'll take Danger Danger, Harem Scarem, and Emerald rain over Toto, Reo, and Survivor anyday......

Well as far as I'm concerned you may as well throw the likes of Dokken in your list as well then!

[St.George]

1st.- Danger Danger, Harem Scarem or Emerald rain are NOT AOR bands. They're melodicrock bands, which is WAY different. Bon Jovi is NOT the same as TOTO. Def Leppard is NOT the same as REO Speedwagon. And Dare is NOT the same as Styx. The sound and the nuances of the latter ones are much... richer in every single aspect. It's not only a matter of ballad-rocker-rocker-ballad thing, repeating the same formula over and over and over... In other words: There are certain "artie" ambitions in the main AOR bands, that pursue at least, to create a sound of their own.

2nd.- There are many other AOR acts, appart from the mentioned ones, which are CLASSIC, but people usually don't tend to think about them as AOR acts, maybe because they have a better PR to avoid the "damned label". But the main ingredients of the AOR style are there, in their music. To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

[WykkedSensation]

1st.- Danger Danger, Harem Scarem or Emerald rain are NOT AOR bands. They're melodicrock bands, which is WAY different. Bon Jovi is NOT the same as TOTO. Def Leppard is NOT the same as REO Speedwagon. And Dare is NOT the same as Styx. The sound and the nuances of the latter ones are much... richer in every single aspect. It's not only a matter of ballad-rocker-rocker-ballad thing, repeating the same formula over and over and over... In other words: There are certain "artie" ambitions in the main AOR bands, that pursue at least, to create a sound of their own.

2nd.- There are many other AOR acts, appart from the mentioned ones, which are CLASSIC, but people usually don't tend to think about them as AOR acts, maybe because they have a better PR to avoid the "damned label". But the main ingredients of the AOR style are there, in their music. To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...[/quote]

AOR bands? Errrr yeah ok then.

[venomnation]

Wow. Glad I started another thread to yell "Fuck" in and fight over and post in ALL CAPS with. Sure was MY intent. Yes...I asked for opinions, thanks for giving them.

[weatherman90]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

lol...I can't decide which day has a more pathetic bill. Mitch Malloy...lol

FireHouse takes the cake here...one of my favorite groups

[S2M]

1st.- Danger Danger, Harem Scarem or Emerald rain are NOT AOR bands. They're melodicrock bands, which is WAY different. Bon Jovi is NOT the same as TOTO. Def Leppard is NOT the same as REO Speedwagon. And Dare is NOT the same as Styx. The sound and the nuances of the latter ones are much... richer in every single aspect. It's not only a matter of ballad-rocker-rocker-ballad thing, repeating the same formula over and over and over... In other words: There are certain "artie" ambitions in the main AOR bands, that pursue at least, to create a sound of their own.

2nd.- There are many other AOR acts, appart from the mentioned ones, which are CLASSIC, but people usually don't tend to think about them as AOR acts, maybe because they have a better PR to avoid the "damned label". But the main ingredients of the AOR style are there, in their music. To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

I'm not sure ANYONE can define, or handpick an AOR group. I'm not even sure, admittedly, what it means.

To ME, and I'm only basing this on what bands are labeled as on HH....AOR seems to mean a 'softer' sound.

Heart, Harem Scarem, Tyketto, Unruly Child, and Hugo are labeled AOR on HH.....

Here's a list of the groups labeled AOR on HH:

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=2

and here are the Hard Rock acts:



http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=3


and then there is a 'Lite AOR' section: which includes 'West Coast'

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=1

[S2M]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

a Ted Poley fronted Danger Danger would take the cake.....I suggest everyone check out D2s 'Cockroach' 2cd set. CD1 features Ted Poley on vox, CD2 features Paul Laine doing the SAME songs.....simply awesome.

[weatherman90]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

a Ted Poley fronted Danger Danger would take the cake.....I suggest everyone check out D2s 'Cockroach' 2cd set. CD1 features Ted Poley on vox, CD2 features Paul Laine doing the SAME songs.....simply awesome.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I like Danger Danger but FireHouse's debut album is just solid from beginning to end, and they've made 6 more great albums since then. C.J. Snare can still hit all the notes and I just love his voice.

We all have our favorites I guess

[Voyager]

FIREFEST 5

Saturday October 25th

Doors 12 noon
First Band on stage 12.30

Talon 12.30 – 1.30
Loud and Clear 1.50 – 2.50
Paul Laine 3.15 - 4.15
Valentine 4.40 – 5.45
JSSoto 6.10 – 7.15
Pink Cream 69 7.35 – 8.55
Tyketto 9.15 – 10.30
Sunday October 26th
Doors 12.00
First band: 12.20

Burn 12.20 – 12.45
David Readman 1.05 – 1.55
HEAT 2.15 – 3.05
Rox Diamond 3.25 – 4.20
Mitch Malloy 4.40 – 5.35
White Sister 5.55 – 6.55
Tall Stories 7.15 – 8.15
Danger Danger 8.35 – 9.40
Firehouse 10.00 – 11.15

What's with the . instead of the : on the times? This looks like a track list from a double live album.

[St.George]

1st.- Danger Danger, Harem Scarem or Emerald rain are NOT AOR bands. They're melodicrock bands, which is WAY different. Bon Jovi is NOT the same as TOTO. Def Leppard is NOT the same as REO Speedwagon. And Dare is NOT the same as Styx. The sound and the nuances of the latter ones are much... richer in every single aspect. It's not only a matter of ballad-rocker-rocker-ballad thing, repeating the same formula over and over and over... In other words: There are certain "artie" ambitions in the main AOR bands, that pursue at least, to create a sound of their own.

2nd.- There are many other AOR acts, appart from the mentioned ones, which are CLASSIC, but people usually don't tend to think about them as AOR acts, maybe because they have a better PR to avoid the "damned label". But the main ingredients of the AOR style are there, in their music. To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

I'm not sure ANYONE can define, or handpick an AOR group. I'm not even sure, admittedly, what it means.

To ME, and I'm only basing this on what bands are labeled as on HH....AOR seems to mean a 'softer' sound.

Heart, Harem Scarem, Tyketto, Unruly Child, and Hugo are labeled AOR on HH.....

Here's a list of the groups labeled AOR on HH:

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=2

and here are the Hard Rock acts:



http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=3


and then there is a 'Lite AOR' section: which includes 'West Coast'

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=1

Well. I don't intend to be rude but, in a nutshell: I don't care what the HH site says. I do trust my ears. And there are much more similar ingredients in acts such as Phil Collins (which is NOT on the HH site) and Toto, rather than in the other acts aforementioned. And I'm going to base my argumentation in the Phil Collins music for this time, but I can show you with CLEAR examples that there are more simmilarities among the AOR bands I mentioned, than in the bands labeled like that for a "fan-made" site such as HH.

For God's sake. If TOTO is AOR, then this is AOR. If not, then TOTO neither is. All the elements in TOTO's music are there. Just listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSkzigiQxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l4GJGFs5O4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oMFj5vMqgM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67OtAM-SPjg This is an the epitome of the AOR sound!

Any of these songs has more TOTO elements in them than the "presumedly Toto-likes" Work of Art, which, IMHO are lightyears away from Toto style, except for the intro of one song... geez! AOR bands are not only marginal acts as some people tend to think.


And well, I can show you more examples, apart from Phil Collins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlSK4WVZ9A This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXpkMJ0V77E This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGB3KyyTxP0 This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkMPpgoOR0o This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwHHCn4sDec This is AOR!

and so on...

[Don]

If Toto is AOR, You better throw in England Dan and John Ford Coley., Hell, add Bread too why you're at it.

[St.George]

I found more AOR elements in acts such as England Dan & John Ford Colley rather than in Harem Scarem, Work of Art, Tyketto, Unruly Child or f*cking Hugo, Chalfant or whatever clones...

In fact, I don't know if you know the fact that most of the TOTO players contributed to their records as arrangers and producers.

[S2M]

:lol:      I found more AOR elements in acts such as England Dan & John Ford Colley rather than in Harem Scarem, Work of Art, Tyketto, Unruly Child or f*cking Hugo, Chalfant or whatever clones... In fact, I don't know if you know the fact that most of the TOTO players contributed to their records as arrangers and producers. 

First of all, you use terms like 'elements' and 'similarities', but fail to define your meaning.  Obviously, you have a set of criteria that you base your label of AOR on....just wondering what they are.For all intents and purposes, Phil Collins is POP music.

Secondly, you must be a card carrying member of the TOTO pom-pom club, because producing and arranging ones songs does not make a group AOR.

Cause if that is your criterium, PRINCE has every band, group, artist beat hands down. Because he does EVERYTHING, and must be considered AOR as well....according to your parameters.

[WykkedSensation]

1st.- Danger Danger, Harem Scarem or Emerald rain are NOT AOR bands. They're melodicrock bands, which is WAY different. Bon Jovi is NOT the same as TOTO. Def Leppard is NOT the same as REO Speedwagon. And Dare is NOT the same as Styx. The sound and the nuances of the latter ones are much... richer in every single aspect. It's not only a matter of ballad-rocker-rocker-ballad thing, repeating the same formula over and over and over... In other words: There are certain "artie" ambitions in the main AOR bands, that pursue at least, to create a sound of their own.

2nd.- There are many other AOR acts, appart from the mentioned ones, which are CLASSIC, but people usually don't tend to think about them as AOR acts, maybe because they have a better PR to avoid the "damned label". But the main ingredients of the AOR style are there, in their music. To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

I'm not sure ANYONE can define, or handpick an AOR group. I'm not even sure, admittedly, what it means.

To ME, and I'm only basing this on what bands are labeled as on HH....AOR seems to mean a 'softer' sound.

Heart, Harem Scarem, Tyketto, Unruly Child, and Hugo are labeled AOR on HH.....

Here's a list of the groups labeled AOR on HH:

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=2

and here are the Hard Rock acts:



http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=3


and then there is a 'Lite AOR' section: which includes 'West Coast'

http://www.heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/genrelist.cgi?Genre=1

Well. I don't intend to be rude but, in a nutshell: I don't care what the HH site says. I do trust my ears. And there are much more similar ingredients in acts such as Phil Collins (which is NOT on the HH site) and Toto, rather than in the other acts aforementioned. And I'm going to base my argumentation in the Phil Collins music for this time, but I can show you with CLEAR examples that there are more simmilarities among the AOR bands I mentioned, than in the bands labeled like that for a "fan-made" site such as HH.

For God's sake. If TOTO is AOR, then this is AOR. If not, then TOTO neither is. All the elements in TOTO's music are there. Just listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOSkzigiQxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l4GJGFs5O4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oMFj5vMqgM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67OtAM-SPjg This is an the epitome of the AOR sound!

Any of these songs has more TOTO elements in them than the "presumedly Toto-likes" Work of Art, which, IMHO are lightyears away from Toto style, except for the intro of one song... geez! AOR bands are not only marginal acts as some people tend to think.


And well, I can show you more examples, apart from Phil Collins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlSK4WVZ9A This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXpkMJ0V77E This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGB3KyyTxP0 This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkMPpgoOR0o This is AOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwHHCn4sDec This is AOR!

and so on...

Crikey, who would have ever thought that Dire Freakin Straits were an aor band.

To Venomnation, i suggest that you stick to bands that ARE classed as Aor (as defined in the lists posted by Stockton from the HH site), and as defined by writers of rock magazines worldwide for the past 28 years or so, rather than one mans word on what he thinks AOR is.

Journey have been widely known, and recognised as the quintessential AOR band since they released the Escape album, and continue to be known as just that.
Any band with the same sort of sound as Journey should be classed as AOR too of course, and that does NOT include Dire Straits, The Police, Phil Collins etc, etc.

Oh, and the very first Harem Scarem release is most definately AOR. Anyone who says differently requires new ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elw51BGsOX0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hv6-bdn ... re=related

[St.George]

OK... whatever!

a) I can find no similarities between the HS songs you put and Journey songs such as "Sweet and simple", "People and places", "Something to Hide", "Esc4p3", "Frontiers"... But in fact, I do find similar elements in HS music and Def Leppard or Bon Jovi. In fact, it's "more and more of the same": always the same formula, no originality at all, same scheme always: ballad, rocker, ballad... That's what I mean. For me, the AOR sound doesn't have a formula. It's more exciting. Every band has its own identity and they mix different styles in their music. "Eclectic" would be the perfect word I would use to define the perfect AOR sound: We've got the jazz in TOTO, we've got the soul & r&b in JRNY, we've got the country in the Eagles, we've got the reggae in The Police & Sting, we've got the folk in Fleetwood Mac... all these styles layered together with a blend of very melodic soft rock, with lots vocal harmonies, keyboards and all of that stuff...

b) I liked the part of the writers from rock magazines Do you mean those who thrashed any lame act with the "damned label"? Trust me, I've seen a few non-AOR bands to be labeled like that in a despective way. Do you mean those who've been mistreating the bands labeled with this label? You know (or at least you should) this is a FACT. So it's quite opportunist you take into account their opinion for your own interests. Also, that is called demagogy. I remind you that those are the ones who defined JRNY as a "girlie act" or "rock with no balls". Anyway, if you want to stick to the "writers" argument, that's OK. I can tell you that I've seen a few writers with whom I agree, regarding what is and what is not AOR.

c) I don't have to define any "element" or "ingredient" (though I did in part a). If a "band A" is labeled like that and a "band B" sounds similar to the "band A", THEN "band B" should have the same label as "band A". Pure logic.

[youkeepmewaiting]

AOR?

Magnum
Journey
The Storm
Mark Free !
Early Bon Jovi
Survivor
Pride Of Lions
Hugo
Tyketto

My personal favourites.

[MartyMoffatt]

To name a few: Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham-Nicks era), Sting (& part of "The Police"), Phil Collins (& certain "Genesis" records)...

AOR bands? Errrr yeah ok then.

Absolutely these are AOR bands. the moniker AOR referred to music played on radio stations that was not limited just to 'singles', it was where tracks from the album were played in preference - hence 'Album Oriented Rock'. It had little if anything to do with a particular style of music, other than that it tended to include softer rock music. It isn't specifically classic rock bands, or melodic rock bands, or metal bands.

In fact when the term first came to prominence in the 70's/80's I remember Fleetwood Mac (around the 'Rumours' era)was always the band referred to as the definitive example of AOR. Another example was Led Zeppelin. This wasn't because of their style but because everything you hear from them is from the album - they never released anything as a single. Therefore the Eagles, Supertramp, Queen, the Police, Genesis etc are great examples or AOR bands. Others include Bruce Springsteen, Sammy Hagar, and even prog bands like Yes and Jethro Tull.

Many of these are now regarded as classic rock simply because of their age and longevity but at the time they would have been categorised very differently. However, they all still fell under the AOR banner because it covered such a wide variety of music.

Marty

[youkeepmewaiting]

Forgot to mention Gary Hughes and Europe also.

[S2M]

OK... whatever!

a) I can find no similarities between the HS songs you put and Journey songs such as "Sweet and simple", "People and places", "Something to Hide", "Esc4p3", "Frontiers"... But in fact, I do find similar elements in HS music and Def Leppard or Bon Jovi. In fact, it's "more and more of the same": always the same formula, no originality at all, same scheme always: ballad, rocker, ballad... That's what I mean. For me, the AOR sound doesn't have a formula. It's more exciting. Every band has its own identity and they mix different styles in their music. "Eclectic" would be the perfect word I would use to define the perfect AOR sound: We've got the jazz in TOTO, we've got the soul & r&b in JRNY, we've got the country in the Eagles, we've got the reggae in The Police & Sting, we've got the folk in Fleetwood Mac... all these styles layered together with a blend of very melodic soft rock, with lots vocal harmonies, keyboards and all of that stuff...

b) I liked the part of the writers from rock magazines Do you mean those who thrashed any lame act with the "damned label"? Trust me, I've seen a few non-AOR bands to be labeled like that in a despective way. Do you mean those who've been mistreating the bands labeled with this label? You know (or at least you should) this is a FACT. So it's quite opportunist you take into account their opinion for your own interests. Also, that is called demagogy. I remind you that those are the ones who defined JRNY as a "girlie act" or "rock with no balls". Anyway, if you want to stick to the "writers" argument, that's OK. I can tell you that I've seen a few writers with whom I agree, regarding what is and what is not AOR.

c) I don't have to define any "element" or "ingredient" (though I did in part a). If a "band A" is labeled like that and a "band B" sounds similar to the "band A", THEN "band B" should have the same label as "band A". Pure logic.

OK...I'll just say this....Marty is right.

Remember album sides? Radio would play a whole side of an album w/o a commercial. AOR everything to do with that sort of thing, and nothing to do with style of music. NOW, maybe it has morphed into that (either intentionally, or unintentionally), but that's not what I think of when I think of AOR.

Next point....people end up defending, and carrying torches for the music they grew up on. They may occasionally go outside their comfort zone and listen to something new, but for the most part stay stuck in their childhoods. Which isn't a bad thing, per se. But, often, when these sort of topics come about, they tend to see the innate need to refer back to their staples: Zep, Who, Beatles, Stones, Clapton, Hendrix, Eagles, Toto, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Journey, Styx....etc.

Now people can like what they like, and they are entitled to their opinions, BUT...I just wish they would give reasons, other than being the bands they grew up on, for their continued mention. Are these 'new' bands left to some sort of musical punishment because they came late to the party? In most situations, the 'first', or relatively close to being near the beginning - are always labeled the 'best', 'most talented'....etc.

Thge musical landscape has changed. And more than once. Fans that grew up on the 'Classic' (whatever THAT means) music...are older now, and most have lost touch with music in general anyway. So that leaves the younger generation who has been perverted into liking this rap/soul/R&B amalgam of throwaway music - and let's not forget that rat awful EMO shit. SO, my point is....unless you live in Europe - the bands I mentioned aren't quite the mainstream's cup 'o tea. And Since it isn't OUT THERE in people's faces like that old classic shit, or the new fangled shit - it gets dumped on ALOT.

I see no lack of talent in a band like Harem Scarem, or Danger Danger, of even Tyketto. Certainly no worse than VH, Supertramp, or Foreigner - just a different kind of music in a MUCH different musical era.

And if you want to bring up album sales, of this or that....bring it on. Cause like I've said numerous times - Britney Spears will end up(if she hasn't already) outselling The Eagles, Boston, and VH (separatly, not collectively)....so that point is mute. And we all know her talent level.

Album sales do not equal talent.

Feel free to dump on the groups I have mentioned. And I'm sorry they haven't been around since the 70s......or haven't split up 6 times in the last 30 years, or had members hooked on coke, drugs, or drank themselves into oblivion.