Let’s start with some info that came with the music: DEACON STREET PROJECT was an AOR focused project led by Swedish musician, song-writer and producer Tommy Denander. The project has released 2 genre classics during the 00’s, i.e. „Deacon Street Project“ (AOR Heaven, 2004) and „Deacon Street II“ (MTM Music, 2006). The most important name there is Tommy Denander, a man that should need no introduction if you are an AOR/Melodic Rock fan. That man has had his hands in so many pies that it is almost impossible to keep track of it all. On top of that, whatever he does usually comes out smelling like roses.

The reason that PRIDE & JOY MUSIC CLASSIXX decided to rerelease both albums in one package is quite simple; you can’t get the original versions of the albums mentioned anywhere anymore. That fact in itself might not be enough to justify throwing DEACON STREET PROJECT at us once again. But that attitude really changes when you start listening to the music on “DEACON STREET PROJECT - One + Two”. That is when you register and accept why so many vocalists and instrumentalists have readily allowed themselves to be part of this rather unique collaboration.

The music on “DEACON STREET PROJECT - One + Two” is simply sublime. To me it sounds like a combination of AXE (for me the best AOR band that ever existed) and JOURNEY (another exceptionally brilliant band) with a lot of other influences thrown in left, right and centre. The build up of the songs is always good, the quality of the tracks is way above par and the quality of the players on the albums is just outstanding.

I do have to add a small but, though. That is that the ballads on especially “One” are very sweet and cheesy. They could have easily been added to the Barbie Movie. Or would a song like “Love Got A Hold On Me” been rejected because the level of sweetness is causing the fillings in your teeth to fall out spontaneously? On “Two” it’s not so bad, but still, I feel all ballads are just that bit too seedy. Hey, if that is the only proper criticism that I can conjure up about “DEACON STREET PROJECT - One + Two”, I’m not complaining, Far from it, I am thoroughly enjoying listening to over one hundred and twelve (yes, 112) minutes of brilliant music.