A slight change of altitude from this latest offering from the Frontiers label… one that has made a flurry of signings to help escalate the burgeoning melodic rock movement with some of rock's noblest acts, now comes crashing down-like a "Phoenix" if you will.

Not that they've dropped a bomb by any means but the style, while still being that of a throwback to yesterday's glistening visions, possesses not the charm nor the grace we've come to expect by those of the majestic realm.

Instead, what Phoenix Down-great name by the way-brings with them is that down and dirty Hollywood style and all its harmonic aptitude, it's catchy grooves and sing along qualities.

"Reckless" as an opening tune does little to get things off to a fast start, rather plain and dim-witted, however they make up for it with the song that could easily have been done by a number of successful then and now acts before them, "I Want it Again," and here's where the fire kicks in.

"Walk" is another slice out of the pages of the romance novel… and here's what we've come to expect by many inhabiting this "wild" Frontier.

A catchy slice of AOR rock, with the first real trace of complimentary keyboards-typically done in '80s fashion but then again, anytime's the right time for love, right?

Nice easygoing solo fits the pattern of the backing rhythm… nicely done.

"Love Gone Wrong" cops an old Kiss riff for the opening-remember that rare track "I'm a Legend Tonight" from the "Killers" import that nobody has…

But quite a lot different moving forward here-dominated by the uptempo backing vocals and strong chorus, again utilizing the full band to its optimum potential.

And I'm almost convinced by now, considering their top-heavy sound, pop licks and smooth delivery… well I"ll be damned!

This is like a who's who of second-level pop metal performers getting together for this one-and we got someone named Wagener doing the production work!

Wow, now here's where it gets interesting. I'm looking over the song listing and the album ends with "Rebel Heart" and all along, conscious of what the band sounds like, I'm thinking, don't tell me that's the old Kane Roberts tune… well guess what?

He's in the band!

Kane Roberts being the former Alice Cooper guitar player and later to have done a couple of pretty good hard rock albums of his own that failed to light any commercial fires through no fault of his own-I mean, how do you argue with "Triple X or "Wild Nights!"

Well anyway aside from doing the guitar work, Roberts dominates the vocals on all the songs plus the contributions of Jim Peterik of Survivor fame (or shame if you wanna get cynical), and Desmond Child-the sometimes producer/performer known as much for his hooks as he is for CO-writing some of the better known Kiss songs.

Not quite as heavy duty as Roberts' earlier material-we're talking maybe ten, twelve years back mainly-a very low key and confined production which is surprising considering the usually heavy handedness of Mr. Double Trouble.

"Blind" is among the heaviest of the set-"grind" would be a better title maybe, while "Rain" is unfortunately a throwaway.

"Rebel Heart" was a great tune on the "Saints & Sinners" album a decade ago and still makes for an effective closer even if it lacks the punch of its predecessor!

I'm still thrown that this is him-and a pretty impressive musical support group.

"Under a Wild Sky" is basically an '80s hard rock record with a '90s approach for the live-in-studio effect and for the most part it works well but I'm biased cause I liked his solo records better!

Relaesed by Frontiers Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]