The Radio Sun: Outside Looking In

Australian melodic rock band The Radio Sun doesn’t waste any time, serving up three studio albums in as many years. Their latest is titled Outside Looking In, and like the two before it, it’s a winner. The Radio Sun, of course, features guitarist Steve Janevski (of power metal band Black Majesty), and once again Paul Laine (ex-Danger Danger) is on board to produce, mix and provide songwriting support and backing vocals.

If you’re familiar with The Radio Sun at all, you know that one of their strongest assets is their approach to vocal harmonies. Lead singer (and guitarist) Jase Old has a fantastic voice on his own, but when he has the whole band (not to mention Paul Laine) chiming in, the results are irresistible. While the vocal harmonies bring to mind Nelson and Harem Scarem, the overall poppy, upbeat melodic rock style recalls Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick and even Bon Jovi at times. Outside Looking In is feel-good AOR, as evidenced by the infectious “Can’t Get You out of My Head,” “Baby Blue” and the title track. It also brings the rock when it needs to (see: “My Heart is on Fire” and “Bulletproof”). The catchiest song on the album, and the one that would be all over modern rock radio if there was any justice, is “Falling for You,” which has gorgeous melodies and a chorus that’s impossible not to sing along to.

There is no shortage of modern melodic rock bands playing this throwback kind of music, but bands like The Radio Sun consistently rise above the crowd. Outside Looking In is another fantastic melodic rock album from a band that deserves a much wider audience. If you’re a fan of catchy, ‘80s style AOR with huge vocal harmonies – think Nelson, Harem Scarem, Jace Pawlak, Vega and the late, lamented American Heartbreak – you need to discover The Radio Sun, and Outside Looking In makes a great introduction.

Edition Notes: The Special Edition CD version of Outside Looking In features a pair of bonus tracks – “Someone Tell Me Why My Heroes are Dying” and “Beautiful” that fit the main album perfectly.