QWest - Dreamzone (1984 . CAN) Full Album
Canadian Rock-Heroes QWest with 2nd album called 'Dream Zone'. E • N • J • O • Y
By the way, reissued on CD 1997 by Pacemaker Entertainment Limited
*LINE UP:
Shelly Gellner - vocals, guitars
Barry Gellner - vocals, bass
Greg Gunhold - guitars
Jim Symchych - drums
*TRACK LISTING:
01 We Need Love 0:00
02 Don't Say No 4:10
03 You're Not So Hot 7:56
04 Nothing To Lose 11:47
05 Dreamer 15:43
06 (I Don't Wanna) Break Your Heart 18:43
07 Never Forget 22:33
08 Trouble, Trouble 26:19
09 Come To Me 29:55
10 Hold Me 33:56
Produced by Danny Lowe
Background*
Canada certainly provided us with some legendary names in AOR, such
as Prism*, *Harlequin*, *Streetheart*, *Wrabit and others, but these guys have
remained more obscure despite two very impressive albums. It seems that being
signed to a minor record company is like a death knell for your chances of big
success, and folks, Quality /MWC were minor enough to make sure that Qwest didn't
stand a fair chance. Still, the music is worth celebrating. A combination of
Journey*, *Coney Hatch and 80's Le Roux would be a fair description of what's
awaiting us.
The Songs This classic second Qwest album opens up with two big AOR anthems
called 'We Need Love' and 'Don't Say No', both very melodic, both very 1984.
This sets the tone for the whole record, while 'You're Not So Hot' and 'Nothing
To Lose' keep the melodies flowing at midtempo, the latter track is somewhat
stronger. Side one closes off with 'Dreamer', where the guitar and vocal attack
of the Gellner brothers really comes through with a killer chorus.Yet another
blueprint mid 80's anthem opens side two, in the form of '(I Don't Wanna) Break
Your Heart' - great hook, great vocal melodies, great keys. 'Never Forget' and
'Trouble Trouble' provide the big AOR riffing and ever present lush vocals,
until we reach 'Come To Me' - a more restrained affair with a chorus that calls
to mind the melodic side of *Blue Oyster Cult*, especially the Eric Bloom like
vocal delivery. The power balladry of 'Hold Me' closes off the record with verses
right out of the Scorpions songbook, while the chorus rises up powerfully in
the Le Roux tradition. /(Scorpions meets Le Roux? hmm very interesting
concoction, not sure I can visualise it myself!
In Summary
While their debut album 'Tampico Gold' was very good, it lacked the
keyboards and glistening production on show here. Although some tracks are
stronger than others, there's really no filler track that will have you reaching
for the skip button in disgust - what's more, both Qwest albums are available on
CD thanks to Pacemaker Records. If you take your AOR collection seriously, now's
a good time to add Qwest to your shopping list!!1
[GLORYDAZE MUSIC]