If you take a look at the here mentioned album's participants, you'll realize what it takes for a musician to organize all this gathering of artists in one release. For the ones that know, Tommy Denander is this kinda man. Known for his numerous projects/collaborations/session performances, Denander's second Deacon Street effort confirms what you like (or not) in this man's creations.
I've also mentioned it at a previous Denander-featured CD review, but you can take a look at his worx (so far) here. Of course, if you're not 'into' mellow Rock/AOR you won't give a damn...Anyway, 2004's "Deacon Street debut saw Tommy joining forces with none others than Marcel Jacob (Talisman, ex-Y. Malmsteen), Lars Chriss (Lion's Share) and Jeff Northrup (XYZ). The result: excellently played yet typical 'pop-ish' Rock music the sentimental way. The weird thing is that Denander usually does this (more or less) in nearly any - in general - Rock project he's occupied with; remember Radioactive, AOR, Talk Of The Town etc. "Couldn't he just sum it up to one and only outfit?, I wonder...
"II sees Deacon Street serving the same dish once more, wth lots more famous players. Not good or bad, to be judged, but anyway the same. No details required: from the distinctive style of Journey, Giant, Alien to the likes (at times) of The Eagles, Bryan Adams and even Christopher Cross (!), this CD can only please fans of the specific sound. Hmm, maybe 'die-hard fans' fits better. Of course, nothing can be said bout the artists' performance. Scale 10, at least...
"Easy As It Seems (off Kiss' "Unmasked album - 1980, Casablanca) and the legendary "Action (from Glam Rock pioneers Sweet 1976's "Give Us A Wink album for RCA) are two notable cover versions also included on this album; an album dominated by melodic Rock harmonies applicable only to buyers of nearly every MTM Music, Frontiers or AOR Heaven release that comes out. As if it could be something different...