WILD ROSE has been rockin' for over a decade. The original idea was sprung in 2004 by Andy Rock. A lot of soul-searching was required initially, as it was essential to find a suitable line up to harness the stylish and polished mellow sound of a quality AOR band. Finally, after two years and several line-up changes WILD ROSE settled on the line up today. After signing with Lions Pride Music, their 2011 debut release "Half Past Midnight" has been re-recorded, re-mixed, and re-mastered, with two bonus tracks. Let's get to some of the highlights on the album.

"00:30" is a short opening instrumental, with weeping lead guitars. With the closing ticking of a clock, it leads to the first proper track, "That Girl." AOR is a genre that has never really gone away. It's not so much of a throwback to the 80's glam bands that many of us grew up with. It's more of a celebration of a style of music that will always endure because of its charms. We have an easy listening guitar riff, steady drumming, and an emotional vocal delivery. The big chorus holds the key to the song here. "Hold Me" opens with a tender guitar and keys passage, with vocal harmonies. Cue in a bevy of bands here that you could make a comparison with (a bit of DANGER DANGER for me), but also allow the personality of WILD ROSE to shine. George Bitzios had a pretty unique way of delivering his vocals, for example. It isn't as linear as many bands in the genre...instead he follows his own rhythm that seems to come from his heart and not pre-determined.

"Goodbye" is a slower song that highlights tender emotions. Is it the modern day "power ballad?" In some ways perhaps. George Bitzios sings with some restrain to really let the nostalgia of the lyrics transfer to the listener. Though the backing vocals in the chorus help to thicken up the sound, there weren't quite enough accents along the way for it to really hit home for me. Still, a pretty song. "Come Back" talks about broken hearts, memories, and the desire to reconnect with a lost love. The riff is light so that the vocals can carry the melodies, and John Bitzios buries the strings with an intense guitar solo. Keys and melodic guitars carry the sound in "Fire in the Night," with another strong vocal delivery. This song definitely "burns" hot inside of your heart. "It's All about Love" is a positive affirmation of what makes this kind of music have staying power. Tender and reflective, it celebrates the power of connection through a stirring performance.

"Edge of Your Dreams" closes the album. A gritty guitar riff combines with lamenting lead breaks. George Bitzios sings with passion and conviction here and you can feel his brooding in his dramatics. Overall, I must admit some level of surprise here on the album. It can be tough for a band who existed long after they heyday of this type of sound, which admittedly flooded the air waves during the 1980's to the point of excess. When you talk about a revival in the AOR genre, you are immediately questioning...can a new band bring anything new to the table? I prefer not to dwell on that question in regards to this album. Why? Because it won't necessarily be a sound that you haven't heard before, but that doesn't make it bad. Indeed, what you will find here is an eleven song album with eleven strong songs, impassioned vocals and magnetic hooks. I for one am glad it was re-issued or I may have never had the opportunity to listen to it.