I’m not entirely sure how I missed Chez Kane’s self titled debut last year. It felt like one day nobody knew who she was, and the next everyone and their mom in the AOR community were talking about her. Oh yeah, and her sophomore album was on the horizon. What? Looks like I had some catching up to do. Leading up to the release of her latest effort, Powerzone, I checked out Kane’s debut. Needless to say, I was impressed. Yes, I’m a sucker for AOR done well, but there was something about the writing, musicianship, and production of this album that elevated it to a level seldom heard in recent years.
Turns out that “something” was Crazy Lixx mastermind Danny Rexon. Those who are familiar with this site are no stranger to my love for Rexon and company. After all, I gave their last album a 9 out of 10. But make no mistake: Crazy Lixx is no AOR band. Sure, they have their AOR moments. Most traditional metal/hard rock revivalists do, just like the bands they model themselves after did in the 80s. However, it’s with this project that Rexon gets to fully flex his AOR muscle as a songwriter, musician, and producer, with Kane, a star in the ilk of the late 80s finest, as his vessel.
Even more so than her self titled, Powerzone showcases Kane’s masterful ability to navigate all sides of the AOR spectrum, heavy to soft, rocker to ballad, with equal finesse and firepower. The opening “I Just Want You” is a masterclass in over the top, passionate AOR balladry, coming off as something Jim Steinman or Diane Warren would’ve written in candlelight circa 1989. Contrasting this are lighthearted, pop driven romps such as “(The Things We Do) When We’re Young in Love” and “Nationwide”, as well as the Def Leppard inspired arena rock of “Rock You Up” and “I’m Ready (For Your Love”). What remains unchanged is Kane’s incredible pipes and her dedication to neon lit AOR.
For those who prefer their AOR on the heavier side of things, Kane and Rexon check this box as well. The energetic “Love Gone Wild” boasts heavy undertones, soaring vocals, and…a saxophone solo? Only on an 80s AOR worship album could this work. The closing 8+ minute “Guilty of Love” lies on the heavier side of things as well, with its dark, foreboding atmosphere and subtle, yet gripping instrumentation, highlighted by a closing guitar solo from Rexon. But it’s the late 80s Yngwie Malmsteen-esque fury of the title track that takes the cake for me. One can’t help but wonder what an entire metal affair from Kane would sound like.
I may be late to the Chez Kane bandwagon, but as the old saying goes, better late than never! At the rate things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rexon and Kane continue to crank out a new album every year for the foreseeable future, until Kane eventually lands a gig as the new singer of Great White. I kid folks, I kid. One thing I’m not kidding about is the awesomeness of this here album. So blow dry your mullet, put on your Pit Vipers, and prepare to enter the Powerzone!
8 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: Heart, Saraya, Nestor