All 41: World’s Best Hope (Frontiers)

The AOR chemists in the Frontiers laboratories have another new combination for the melodic rock world. This one is called All 41 (as in “all for one”) and I have to say it boasts a pretty impressive lineup. None other than Terry Brock (Strangeways) is on lead vocals, and he’s joined by bassist/vocalist Robert Berry (Three, Alliance), guitarist Gary Phil (Boston, Alliance) and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big). Alessandro del Vecchio, who I swear must be chained to a computer in the Frontiers dungeon, produced the album.

As much as I tend to grumble about these mix-and-match project albums, Frontiers does tend to get it right most of the time. All 41 (sorry, but that’s a dumb name) has an edge not only for the talent they have on board, but for already having songwriting chemistry between Berry and Phil. The All 41 debut, titled World’s Best Hope, has a lot in common with the Alliance sound. It has a Night Ranger meets Mr. Big vibe, but with that powerful, heartfelt vocal delivery that Terry Brock does so well. Having Robert Berry as a second singer certainly doesn’t hurt. Is it necessarily different from a dozen other polished AOR projects on this label? Probably not, but it’s hard to argue with the results. Highlights here include “After the Rain” and “Show Me the Way” (no, not covers), but World’s Best Hope is solid from front to back.

This one is definitely going to make Alliance fans happy, and will satisfy fans of Strangeways a lot more than the last Strangeways album did. All 41 hits all the right notes for fans of the “Frontiers style” of melodic rock. If you’re into their other projects like Revolution Saints, Find Me, Palace and Khymera, you’re going to want to hear World’s Best Hope.