I’m sure I’ve mentioned in passing my fitness journey that I embarked a little over a year and a half ago. In that span of time, I’ve managed to drop 80 pounds, with roughly another 40 to 50 to go. Such intense routine requires dedication, and such dedication requires motivation via a killer soundtrack. In my case, this comes in the form of either bestial black/death/thrash metal, bloodthirsty USPM, or training montage AOR. And when it comes to the latter, there is perhaps no greater champion of the niche than Stan Bush.
His 1986 classic, “The Touch”, was featured in The Transformers: The Movie, instantly making him an icon amongst gen X. In the years since, he’s continued to contribute to film and TV soundtracks, as well as grow his own solo repertoire, the latest installment being Born for Battle. Although much has changed in the five years since we last heard from Bush with Dare to Dream, what hasn’t changed is his tried and true approach to melodic hard rock. After all, he is one of the genre’s figureheads. When indulging in a Bush album, one can expect heart-stopping synths, massive arena rock riffs, and uplifting lyricism, all of which shine bright as ever on Born for Battle.
A minute and a half in to the opening “The Sound of Victory”, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Wow, this is more empowering and compelling than 99% of the modern day power metal scene.” Perhaps we should rebrand the “training montage AOR” microgenre as “power AOR”? Such a descriptor suits cuts like “Runnin’ the Gauntlet”, “Heart of a Lion”, and “Stand or Fall”: High voltage, hard rockin’ blasts of light against a world overly immersed and darkness and negativity. All of this, mind you, while boasting melodies and hooks as powerful as those Bush conjured in his ’80s heyday.
Aside from the songs themselves simply ruling, there are two specific aspects of this album I must commend. First, at 72 years old, Bush sounds nearly identical vocally to his 32 year old self. I’m well aware that there’s no shortage of studio trickery these days that could help pull off such a feat, but upon repeated listens, it doesn’t sound like there’s too much post-production sheen. This sounds largely like Bush’s raw, organic voice, still crystal clear and dynamic, hitting those high notes with freakish ease. Secondly, I can’t commend Bush enough for adhering to the sonic values of a true AOR album. There’s nothing worse than a “retro” affair with compressed sound or drums out of a Slipknot song. Bush knows this, and sticks to his guns, crafting genuine melodic rock the only way he knows how.
True to the album’s title, Stan Bush was Born for Battle, and he has no plan on surrendering anytime soon. Nor will you after giving this a spin. In a world where we’re continually bogged down by technology, by media, by politics, and so forth, Born for Battle isn’t just an album that’s welcomed, but needed in today’s increasingly divisive times. Tune out of your iPhone or computer for an hour, and tune into what Bush has to say. You could learn a thing or two. He’s still got the touch. He’s still got the power!
8 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: AOR
For fans of: Survivor, Robert Tepper, Pride of Lions