Kee of Hearts: Kee of Hearts (Frontiers)

Oh hey, it’s another new Fronters mashup. This one brings together former Europe guitarist Kee Marcello and Fair Warning vocalist Tommy Heart, and it’s called (wait for it)…Kee of Hearts. Get it? KEE of HEARTS! Yeah, that’s literally the worst possible name they could have chosen for this thing. On the other hand, the last Kee Marcello solo album kicked ass and I am a Fair Warning fanboy, so I pretty much had to give this album a try.

Dumb name aside, the self-titled Kee of Hearts album is just a dynamite melodic rock album. Alessandro Del Vecchio and company have crafted 11 fantastic songs that are loaded with catchy melodies and the kind of sing-along choruses that the last couple of Fair Warning albums have lacked. This has all the soulful tones that Marcello brought to his last effort (and his memorable time in Europe), and Heart has honestly never sounded better. The songs capture both of the main players’ talents perfectly, with “Crimson Dawn,” “Stranded,” “S.O.S” and “Invincible” being the best of a surprisingly strong bunch.

If you’re a Tommy Heart fan and were less than thrilled with the last few Fair Warning albums, this release is about to become your new favorite album. It takes full advantage of one of the most distinctive voices in melodic rock and pairs him with one of the best guitarists in the genre. Factor in songs that were written in the best ’90s melodic rock tradition and you’re looking at a truly exceptional AOR album. It’s a must-have for fans of Fair Warning and Kee Marcello/Europe, but the Kee of Hearts (yeah, that name still sucks) debut is going to be pure ear candy for fans of Giant, Tyketto, Strangeways, Cruzh and Palace as well.