DAN REED NETWORK - Fight Another Day (2016)

Genre - Melodic Rock / Funk Rock

Label - Frontiers Music

Track listing:

01 - Divided
02 - The Brave
03 - Infected
04 - Champion
05 - Ignition
06 - Give It Love
07 - B There With U
08 - Save The World
09 - Eye Of The Storm
10 - Reunite
11 - Heaven
12 - Sharp Turn
13 - Stand Tall

###### First things first, the following review is not my own work, but I have chosen to reproduce it here as I agree entirely with its sentiments. All credit must go to the original reviewer #######

Frontiers Music  release DAN REED NETWORK’s brand new record “Fight Another Day". The new album marks the anticipated return of one of the most infectious and gifted bands to come out in the melodic rock world in the second part of the '80s.

At the end of 2012 the band re-convened in their hometown of Portland, Oregon for a New Year celebration and the rest, as they say, is history. Appearances at Download Festival and a couple of short UK tours and – surprise surprise – the announcement of a brand new album.
It was as if they have never been away and it is the same with new album “Fight Another Day”. The key is clearly quality material and a definite zest for performance from all band members.
Whilst 1991′s ‘The Heat’ was Dan Reed Network’s most successful album it wasn’t their most consistent. This latest offering takes up the story and 25 years of silence is quickly forgotten about.

The band featured ‘Divided’ as advance single and it showcased that the magic is still there. The same applies to the whole album, with immediate appeal to anyone who enjoyed those earlier albums with the characteristic meld of funk and melodic rock and with a wider social conscience than previously - check ‘Infected’, ‘Save The World’, ‘Eye Of The Storm’.
Those who have followed Dan Reed’s parallel solo career will know that he is a great songwriter who brings gold dust to a project and nowhere is this more evident than on ‘Champion’, an utterly compelling case for buying the album.
The power chords that introduce ‘Give It Love’ recall Starship’s song Jane and underscoring yet another album highlight.

Fans will love the mix of old and new influences. Mid-tempo ‘Be There With U’ has all the charm of ‘Rainbow Child’. ‘The Brave’, ‘Reunite’ and ‘Heaven’ evidence Dan Reed’s essentially uplifting, anthemic approach with quite wonderful vocals throughout. The feel-good quotient is high on this album.
‘Sharp Turn’ combines the brilliance of Seal’s Crazy and Johnny Hates Jazz (Don’t Say It’s Love), so rooted in the late-1980s and early '90s just as it should be.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better the album closer ‘Stand Tall’ delivers a wonderful funk grind punctuated by Rob Daiker’s superb keyboard fills.

Some might say that "Fight Another Day" is more of a Dan Reed solo album, as the rest of the band do seem to be subjugated to the power of the song and vocals, with Brion James' guitar notably restrained on some tracks.
But "Fight Another Day" is a complete triumph, totally relevant, and underlining a wonderful comeback that can only go from strength to strength.
Highly Recommended

Rating: 9/10

Dan Reed - Transmission (2015)

Genre - Melodic Rock / Pop

Label - AOR Heaven Records

 

Track listing:

01 - Broken Soul
02 - Roll the Dice
03 - Drive
04 - Anywhere But Here
05 - Bending the Light
06 - Arm Yourself
07 - Fire in the Pyramid
08 - You’re All I Need
09 - On the Metro
10 - Ear to the Track
11 - What Dreams May Come
12 - Already There
13 - She’s Not You

DAN REED’s career burns bright at both ends: from his entry into the heavy funk rock arena with the Dan Reed Network in the late '80s to his current trade, travelling across Europe and occasionally the US having been commissioned to bring heartfelt joy into people’s homes with his unfaltering voice and incredible canon of songs at his disposal.
2015 sees Dan Reed himself seven years down the line as a successful solo artist, in the terms of having an army of adoring fans who love his art. Which leads us to "Transmission", his new solo album released by AOR HEAVEN Records.
Dan's third solo album is a labour of love, of which the end result is majestic.
Recorded as a trio with long term collaborators Bengan Jonasson on bass and Robert Ikiz on drums, all the instrumentation has the feel of being carefully thought out and totally in sync with the songs at all times.
Opening track "Broken Soul" carries on where Dan’s previous album ‘Signal Fire’ left off. It’s probably the most up-tempo song on the album and grabs you within the first few bars with its seductive melody. It’s also a prime candidate for first single and I should imagine will be a live favourite for years to come.
The catchy "Roll the Dice" follows in mid-tempo quality, then "Drive" is slow and quite modern in the vein of the last Richard Marx. The plodding yet rocky "Anywhere but Here" has a deep, involving melody with cool arrangements.
It's a surprise to see a cover, as Reed is a prolific songwriter; "You’re All I Need" is a heartfelt reworking of a bluesy number by the soulful Scottish band The Rising Souls, and Reed makes it his own with class.
"What Dreams May Come" is a beautiful and fitting tribute to Robin Williams following his sad and untimely death, and "She’s not You" was written after the passing of Dan’s friend’s sister. Both are emotive numbers.
Other stand out tracks include the future crowd-pleasing anthem "Fire in the Pyramid", while "On the Metro" (co-written with Gregory Darling) - which was a track I initially dismissed as too slow for my liking, yet the more I listened and the closer I paid attention, the more I realised it’s one of the most interesting songs on the album.
Dan Reed has converted the passion and feeling he puts into every solo live performance to the making of "Transmission" and as a result the whole package oozes sentiment and warmth.
This isn’t an album to rock out to. That will hopefully come with the next Dan Reed Network release in the making.
"Transmission" is an album that’s engaging and endlessly giving. A labour of love that entices you in, captures your imagination, broadens your horizons and leaves you with a sense of contentment. A warm and cosy wrapping of lovingly put together smooth adult Rock for those times when loud won't do.
Very Highly Recommended.

Rating - 9/10

DAN REED - Signal Fire (2013)

Genre - Hard Rock / Melodic Rock / Alternative / Pop
Label -

Track listing -

01 - Signal Fire

02 - All I Need Is You
03 - Only Love
04 - Sing To Me
05 - End Of The World
06 - Last Leaf
07 - Avalanche
08 - Slow Down
09 - Beloved
10 - All Night
11 - Indestructible
12 - Soul Warrior
13 - Drive On

I used to have a passing interest in Dan Reed Network way back in the day and when I came across the cd I was intrigued to see just how Mr Reed had developed over the years. To be fair he has weathered well with the passage of time.
The following review is not my own words but pretty much says all that I have to say about this beautiful melodic album.

"After his successful eighties / nineties musical journey fronting the global sensation and multi-selling outfit The Dan Reed Network, singer & songwriter DAN REED moved to India for a somehow spiritual retreat.

Reed returned to the musical business a couple years ago with a very good album under his own name, and now  his second solo effort "Signal Fire"  hits the stores.
Dan's catchy melodic rock of the past is now fused with softly sung sweet melodies and vocal harmonies, accompanied by reflexive lyrics.
Title track "Signal Fire" has a truly brilliant song structure and what a grand way to open up this release with this uptempo hooky tune - the catchiness is all over.
There's a unique vocal performance on the the bouncy follower "All I Need Is You", an then track three "Only Love" is another song filled with happiness and obvious enjoyment in the way of an acoustic ballad.
More classic rock feel and sound crops up throughout the collection on such numbers as "Sing To Me" and the countrified "Soul Warrior", with a great acoustic groove and another slice of perfection on the chorus.
This is Dan Reed, and the man knows how to write superb songs. But there's more.
"End Of The World" offers up a perfect musical balance of mellowness and songwriting finesse and those dreamy vocal tones that most vocalists would die for.
All of Dan Reed's life experiences and refined musical knowledge have helped mould this beautiful collection of songs beyond the point of just music; there's definitely a spiritual vibe all over this album which makes it even more enthralling.
And that spiritual feel is evident on the super commercial Melodic Rock of "Last Leaf" and the chanty, infectious grooves of "Avalanche".
We have certain retro feel at places, especially on "Slow Down", but it's the slower paced tunes such as "Beloved" and "All Night" that shine magnificently, stand out here and ooze out intelligent musicianship and a wonderful studio production of note courtesy of Dan and Steve Daiker.
Then there's "Indestructible", a mood-filled piano piece that flows so creatively amidst the soft vocal harmonies and instrumental harmonies, whilst the album closes with "Drive On" and more beautifully crafted song arrangements.
Dan Reed is a musician who, unlike many folks who've made comebacks in recent years, is far from trading on past glories but rather he is continuing to grow as an artist.
Still producing music that is timeless, inventive and engaging, Dan Reed's fire is certainly burning brightly, and his new album "Signal Fire" proves this via its memorable crafting and exuberant melodies.
"Signal Fire" is an impressive, soulful, uplifting and melodius piece of work plenty of class and finesse."

Highly Recommended.


Rating - 9/10