By Wes Haskins
*Lost Gems*
While I’m still deciding on the next bands catalog to review I’m starting a new review series of overlooked and/or lesser known albums in the genre. The Boston, Massachusetts based band Stun Leer was formed in the late 80s but the album wasn’t released until 1998 due to being turned down by many labels initially. I’m still not sure when it was recorded but I always assumed it was in the late 80s. Featuring Touch vocalist Doug Howard the album is full of melodic rock gems with catchy choruses and tasteful solos mixed with keyboards.
Love Is A Liar – Fantastic opener that’s melodic but with an edge to it. Drums with keyboards and background voices starts the song before a big riff and melodic guitar fills mix in with Doug’s huge voice. Great musicianship and a huge chorus and melody. When I think of underrated AOR or melodic rock tracks this is one that always comes to mind.
Go Don’t Go – Keyboards, guitars and a big drums lead into a guitar melody into an edgier verse and a good chorus. Another great song.
If You Want Love – The big ballad perfect for mid to late 80s AOR radio. In the tradition of Foreigner and Journey as well as bands like Bad English this one checks all of the boxes.
“Eye To Eye” – Not sure why but I always hear the chorus to this song and think it should be in one of those fun 80s movie scenes like Karate Kid. Melodic and a great mix of keyboards/guitars and the chorus screams single potential.
“Foolin” – Opening with a lighter acoustic intro with Doug’s softer vocal line before it gets a little heavier with the drums and an edgier vocal in the verses then big backing vocals going into the chorus. Not as great as the songs that precede it and slightly more rocking but a fun song all the same.
“No Words Can Say” – A big riff over the top of big drum beat and a melodic chorus with huge backing vocals.
“Come to Me” – Heavier riff and drumming and a good groove but still great melodies and harmonies. Not single type material but a solid album track.
“All the King’s Horses” – Nice guitar playing with some cool solos before the vocals come in. More great backing vocals and harmonies with a lot of whoa whoa’s in the verses. A little heavier song and not quite as melodic in the chorus as the verses.
“Hungry Eyes” – Melodic and huge harmonies and a great chorus. Definitely would have been single material.
“Deliver” – Another big melodic chorus and melody with a great faster solo in the middle. More big backing vocals.
Recap: Looking back at all of the gems that the German label MTM released in the late 90s this one is up there with some of the best. Huge melodic rock that doesn’t apologize for what it is but in the late 90s is definitely a fish out of water but if released in the 1987-1989 era maybe it’s a hit but either way it deserves to be remembered and known about by more fans.
Favorite songs: Love is a Liar, Go Don’t Go, If You Want Love, Eye to Eye, No Words Can Say, Hungry Eyes.