Kirner & Montcorbier AOR Project – ‘Ride The Open Sky’

(Rock Company)

There are certain styles of music that have an almost magical ability to lift the spirits, put a smile on your face and make the world feel like a brighter place. For me, AOR has always possessed that quality. Give me soaring melodies, beautifully constructed harmonies, shimmering keyboards, uplifting choruses and an atmosphere drenched in sunshine, and I'm pretty much in musical heaven. It is music that makes me feel good, music that connects with something deep inside, and music that reminds me just how wonderful life can be. Kirner & Montcorbier AOR Project’s Ride The Open Sky is an absolute celebration of everything I adore about this genre.

From the outset, there is a wonderful sense of freedom and optimism running through this album. The title itself seems to capture the entire philosophy behind the music: open roads, endless horizons, warm summer evenings and that feeling of possibility when the world is yours to explore. This is AOR with its heart firmly on its sleeve, embracing melody, emotion and positivity without ever feeling forced or contrived. It is music designed to make you feel something, and more importantly, to make you feel good.

What immediately stands out is the sheer warmth of the musical arrangements. There is a lovely balance between traditional melodic rock instrumentation and the more atmospheric, polished qualities that make classic AOR such an enduring pleasure. Guitars provide plenty of melodic colour and energy, while the keyboards add those gorgeous layers of texture that give the album much of its character. The production allows everything to breathe, creating expansive soundscapes that feel bright, open and wonderfully inviting. Nothing feels unnecessarily heavy or aggressive. Instead, the emphasis is on crafting memorable musical moments, with melodies that gently draw you in and arrangements that reward repeated listening.

And damn! those melodies! This is where Ride The Open Sky really delivers. There is an infectious quality to the songwriting, an effortless flow that makes the album incredibly easy to immerse yourself in. The choruses have that unmistakable AOR appeal, combining emotional resonance with the sort of uplifting musical hooks that stay with you long after the music has stopped. There is a genuine sense of craftsmanship here, with the compositions built around strong melodic foundations rather than relying on volume or unnecessary musical complexity.

For me, one of the greatest pleasures of listening to this kind of music is its ability to transport you somewhere else. Ride The Open Sky does precisely that. Close your eyes and the imagery comes naturally: blue skies, winding country roads, the sun shining through the windscreen, warm breezes and those long summer days when you wish the evening would never end. There is a distinctly life-affirming quality to the music, a beautiful sense of optimism that runs throughout the album. Even when the arrangements become more reflective, there is an underlying feeling of hope and reassurance.

That emotional dimension is particularly important. Great AOR isn't simply about catchy choruses and polished production; it is about making a connection. The best albums in this genre have an emotional honesty that allows the listener to become completely absorbed in the experience. There is something wonderfully comforting about music that celebrates love, friendship, memories, happiness and the little things that make life worthwhile. This project understands that appeal, delivering a collection that feels sincere, heartfelt and full of positive energy.

The balladry and more introspective passages provide another welcome dimension to the album. They introduce a softer, more contemplative atmosphere, allowing the melodies to take centre stage and giving the overall listening experience some additional emotional depth. These moments are important because they prevent the album from becoming one-dimensional. The sunshine is always there, but there is room for reflection too. Life isn't permanently blue skies and endless summer, after all, and the contrast between uplifting rock and gentler melodic moments gives the record a pleasing sense of balance.

The instrumental elements deserve particular appreciation. The keyboards and guitar work together beautifully, creating those expansive, almost cinematic arrangements that I absolutely love. There is a nostalgic quality to the sound, recalling the golden era of melodic rock when melody was king and albums were built around atmosphere as much as individual performances. Yet there is also something timeless about this approach. These are musical ingredients that never really go out of fashion because they appeal to something fundamental in the listener. A great melody is a great melody, regardless of the decade.

Another aspect I particularly enjoy is the album's consistency of mood. There is a clear musical identity throughout, with the compositions complementing one another to create a cohesive listening experience. Rather than feeling like a collection of unrelated songs, Ride The Open Sky flows naturally, taking the listener on a journey through different shades of melodic rock while maintaining its central themes of positivity, freedom and emotional connection. It is an album that feels perfectly suited to being played from beginning to end, preferably with the volume turned up and absolutely no distractions.

And that, ultimately, is what makes this record such a pleasure. Sometimes music doesn't need to be complicated, challenging or particularly groundbreaking to be immensely satisfying. Sometimes you simply want to put an album on, let the melodies wash over you and enjoy every minute. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, I would argue that creating music capable of producing such a genuine emotional response is an achievement in itself.

Ride The Open Sky is a wonderful reminder of why I adore AOR and melodic rock. It embraces everything that makes the genre so special: uplifting melodies, beautiful arrangements, memorable hooks, atmospheric keyboards and an overwhelming sense of musical warmth. It is feel-good music in the truest sense, but with enough emotional substance to make the experience genuinely rewarding.

For anyone who loves melodic rock with a positive outlook, a summery atmosphere and melodies that make the heart sing, this is an album that deserves attention. Kirner & Montcorbier AOR Project have delivered a collection that feels like a musical escape from the everyday, offering sunshine, optimism and a welcome reminder to appreciate the good things in life. Sometimes you just need an album that makes you smile. Ride The Open Sky does exactly that, and I absolutely love it.

‘Ride The Open Sky’, is a wonderful introduction that immediately establishes the album's uplifting personality. Bright melodies, feel-good AOR arrangements and an irresistible sense of freedom make this a perfect opening statement. It's the musical equivalent of throwing open the windows and heading out onto the highway beneath a beautiful summer sky.

‘Highways In The Rain’, is a lovely slice of melodic rock that combines atmospheric touches with an engaging melodic backbone. There's something particularly appealing about the contrast between the imagery of the title and the warmth of the music. Another beautifully constructed piece with plenty of AOR charm.

‘When Life Is Smiling’, here comes another generous helping of positivity! This is the sort of melodic songwriting that makes you appreciate just how uplifting music can be. Full of warmth and optimism, it captures the album's life-affirming spirit perfectly.

‘Rolling Rolling Rolling’, is a breezy, infectious number with a wonderful sense of movement. The melodies have an effortless flow, and the arrangement carries that carefree summertime feeling that runs throughout the record. Simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

‘Summersky Blue’, the title alone tells you what to expect, and the music delivers beautifully. Atmospheric, melodic and wonderfully evocative, this is AOR at its most inviting. The soundscapes create a lovely sense of escapism, with sunshine seemingly pouring from every note.

Ballad ‘Better Times’ is a welcome change of pace, bringing a more emotional and reflective dimension to the album. The softer approach allows the melody to breathe, creating an intimate atmosphere that feels heartfelt and sincere. A beautiful reminder that AOR can touch the heart just as effectively as it can lift the spirits.

‘Our Little Shack’ is a wonderfully nostalgic-sounding piece that conjures images of simpler pleasures and treasured memories. The melodic arrangements have plenty of warmth, and there's a lovely sense of contentment running through the composition.

‘Music Is The Healer’, an absolutely wonderful sentiment and one that perfectly captures my own feelings about music. This is a celebration of everything that makes melodic rock so special: emotion, positivity, beautiful melodies and the ability to make a difficult day feel considerably brighter.

‘Shadows Of The Past’ has a slightly more reflective atmosphere which provides some welcome contrast. There's an emotional depth here that adds another layer to the album, reminding us that even the brightest musical journeys have moments of contemplation.

‘Rock The Heart’, time to turn up the volume! This brings a little extra energy and attitude while retaining the melodic sensibilities that make the project so appealing. A lovely combination of rock spirit and infectious AOR hooks.

‘Born In The South’, another wonderfully evocative title, carrying that open-road, wide-horizon feeling that suits the album perfectly. The melodic rock foundations provide an enjoyable sense of familiarity and warmth.

‘Eton’s Mess’, an instrumental interlude offering an opportunity to appreciate the musical craftsmanship without the need for vocals. It adds variety and allows the melodies and arrangements to take centre stage.

‘Love Does What It Can’, a fitting finale, bringing the album's themes of love, hope and positivity together. A lovely way to conclude a record that has been all about emotional connection and feel-good melodic rock.

Sometimes an album comes along that simply makes you feel good, and Kirner & Montcorbier AOR Project’s Ride The Open Sky is exactly that sort of record. Packed with uplifting melodies, gorgeous AOR soundscapes, feel-good arrangements and an infectious sense of optimism, this is melodic rock that puts a smile on my face from beginning to end. I absolutely adore this style of music, and this album ticks so many of the boxes that make AOR such a wonderful genre. It's warm, heartfelt, beautifully melodic and drenched in summertime sunshine. No pretensions, no unnecessary complications, just fabulous feel-good music. If you love your AOR uplifting, emotional and bursting with melody, jump aboard and enjoy the ride. Turn it up and let the sunshine in!

9/10

Essential Track – ‘When Life Is Smiling’

Review by Woody