DANTE FOX was formed in 1989 by lead vocalist Sue Willetts. They built a UK following over the next several years, leading to the release of their debut album "Under Suspicion" in 1996. "Breathless" is the band's fifth LP release, now on AOR Heaven record label, and contains eleven tracks. This reviewer is glad that the AOR/Melodic Hard Rock genre is still alive today, though modern bands do have to guard against sounding repetitive since there was so much of this genre released in yesteryears. Right away the unabashed melody of "Young Hearts" and the unbelievably strong vocals of Willetts hits you square in your nose. The shoot for the horizon, but wind up in the heavens. There is absolutely nothing stale about this song whatsoever. Keyboards, and more keyboards bless "All Eyes On You" with their melodic power, and the vocal harmonies and guitar riff absolutely soar.

"Breathless" and "Break These Chains" are mid-tempo pieces that have an old school kind of Glam sound, like something you might have heard from DOKKEN or ENUFF 'Z NUFF, and I mean this in a complimentary way of course. Of the two versions of "Broken Hearted Man, I think I prefer the regular version as it is strong enough to invoke your feels but not overly tender and losing any punch. Either version is excellent however. This is your classic kind of tug on your heartstrings made with beautiful piano passages and layers of harmony. "Dynamite" has a great little riff and just enough tender spirit to make it a rocker and a sublime treat at the same time. I absolutely love the supporting keyboard work which is an instrument too often overlooked in my opinion. "Love Affair" is perhaps the "power-ballad" on the album; a soft and meaningful song that pushes the lyrics as the main connection to your emotions, as well as the well-placed guitar solo that follows the key just perfectly.

"Ceeps Into My Mind" is the album closer (not counting the acoustical version of "Broken Hearted Man"). It's a short, two-minute acoustical track that really closes what the album is all about. Melodic, memorable, emotional, and fun, it's the kind of pure and authentic sound that you don't often hear in today's musical scene. I don't know how much press the band is getting but I would surely hope they land a nice tour and that radio picks up some of this album, because it's a heck of a lot better than the modern music I hear on the radio today. Enjoy the sweetness of DANTE FOX and "Breathless!"