Ted Poley has been the representative of 'positive energy' in the US Melodic/Hard Rock field since DANGER DANGER sprang out in 1989 through (Epic scouter) Lennie Petze's Imagine Records. Whoever paying attention to his everlasting bright studio/live attitude sees no surprise in the blonde singer's decond solo album being named Smile. The same smile will appear in your face listening to twelve tunes of pure melody. You bet, if you like smiling
Whoever can recall American rockers PROPHET, he even may missed Ted Poley listed behind the drum kit(!) - along with some lead singing - in the quintet's impressive same-titled album back in 1985. While working for the Cycle Of The Moon sophomore release, Ted accepted the offer from Bruno Ravel and Steve West to join the DANGER DANGER camp. Achieving worldwide success with three thrilling releases (the last one being a matter of conflict due to new vocalist Paul Laine stepping in - it was finally released in 2001 as Cockroach in a DCD format with each disc featuring the relative singer in the same songlist!), Poley instantly marked the melodic Rock field with his high-pitched yet ultra-melodic singing, a blend limited vocalists have previously carried through the 80s.
Known to many, too, by his following works with BONEMACHINE (along guitarist John Allen III from Tommy Lee's band) and MELODICA (a collaboration of Ted with Gerhard Pichler - try 2001's Love Metal for sure!) it was 2006 when Poley released what can be regarded as the man's first solo album. Collateral Damage was hailed as one of the best AOR albums the last years with impressive melodies and rather well-worked lyrics themes, with notable musicians like Andy Timmons (ex-DANGER DANGER), Pete Lesperance (HAREM SCAREM) and Bill Laverty (FIREHOUSE) donating magical playing. One year after this independent release, Smile just proves Ted is your personal fave - and, if not, he can surely become - in the 'melodic' field.
Jk Nortnup - a guitarist familiar to many due to his works with Billy Thorpe, KING KOBRA, RAIL, XYZ and Paul Shortino - has provided grateful help in the making of this CD. The album sees a set of wonderful melodies, most of them located in the AOR field with not that much of in-your-face rockin' themes. The whole mood is rather cool plus the key presence describes a nice atmosphere supporting Ted's sweet singing the best possible way. Not to forget: themes, bridges, breaks and leads are rather typical but - yet - imposing and essential for the specific genre. From the opening notes of Waiting Line to the If You Can't Change your Heart reprise what you get it is predictable yet chartming and welcome melodic Rock music.
Smile is a nice melodic Rock/AOR album. That simple. Just get it, if you're into the 'mild' DANGER DANGER works.