ALL 41 is a new AOR project born from Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino, and this is their debut album. The band members have all had significant experience in other acts such as GIANT, BOSTON, SAMMY HAGAR, ACE FREHLEY, and MR. BIG, to name but a few. "The World's Best Hope" contains eleven tracks. I have heard a lot of AOR and Melodic Rock lately; it seems there is a pretty sizeable revival of this sound. It never really went away, but managed to last between trends than came and went. Still, the only real question is...is the band able to offer something new within this genre, or just songs that we have all heard before? Let's get to some of the highlights to find out.

"After the Rain" is a lovely mid-tempo opener, lush with keyboards and full of emotion. Brock's vocals shine brightly and it takes you back to a time when Melodic Rock dominated the airwaves. I remember those days fondly. "Down Life's Page" shows a tender sound from the songwriters. It's one of those uplifting songs that remind you to stay the course in the twists and turns of life. It also has an energy and an edge that make you want to get out there and get it done! "Mother Don't Cry" is a heart-tugging ballad that opens with soft piano notes and a longing in the vocals. The chorus can barely hold back the floodgate of tears; it's a very beautiful piece.

"Walk Alone" has a bit of a darker sound out of the gate, but pretty quickly the vocal harmonies take over and envelop you like a downpour that breaks the heat and humidity of a hot summer day. "Hero in your Life" has a bit of a tougher sound more in the realm of Hard Rock but never relenting on the melodies. The chorus is thick and full and a testament to the nearly un-flawed production on the album as a whole. "Never Back Down" is a feel-good rocker with that spacy keyboard sound that dominated the 1980's. The message is positive and the music reflects the desire. "Who Knows" is another winner that reminds me of DEF LEPPARD, especially when the backing vocal harmonies answer the lead vocals in a "call and response" method.

It's somewhat unusual for the title track to close the album, but that choice makes a good impact on the listening experience as a whole. The message is in the importance of proper teaching for the next generation. In the realm of AOR/Melodic Rock, "The World's Best Hope" is on the softer side of the genre, with slow and mid-tempo pieces and soulful, fulfilling vocal harmonies. The instrumentation is kept to a minimum for the most part to allow the vocals to take the lead. The only construct I could offer is that I wish the keyboards had a little more presence, because what is there is really wonderful. It's a balanced debut album from these veteran rockers that will surely touch you, so pick it up!