Michael Sciuto – ‘Edge’

(Pride & Joy Classixx)

This one is bit of an obscure re-issue originally released on the much-missed AOR Heaven label and now been brought back to us by Pride & Joy in a super limited edition run especially for us collection nerds who may have missed out the first time around.

Michael Scuito’s Edge was released in 1999 and was truly an album out of time. Maybe that’s why it’s not as talked about in AOR circles as other similar artists, had it been released in 1989 when this style of music was more popular maybe things would be different.

‘Edge’ is hi-tech AOR so it won’t be for everyone, yes, the average soft rocker and AOR fan will find aspects of these songs enjoyable, but I think he veers into Pop a lot and that could turn off a lot of rockers whose tastes don’t lean that way.

Personally, I find the album a little hit and miss, songs wash over me without leaving much of an impression on me as individual tracks. For me the strength is in the atmospherics of the music on the album, as a whole I found it to be quite relaxing and enjoyable in a decompressing way. To be honest these aren’t songs to sing and dance along too, the hooks are more subtle so don’t have you gripped and stuck in your memory. But for a chill-out album this album ticks all the right boxes with its smooth and ambient soundscapes.

I think there are better comparisons than I’m about to give in pop circles but from a rock perspective I think this album shares a lot in common with acts like Corey Hart, Device and Cutting Crew. Two songs that I would tell you to check out sit side by side on ‘Edge’ and those are ‘Art Of Love’ and ‘Stand By Me’ as individual songs they probably have the most impact.

Edge is a good album if you are into Hi-Tech AOR but I think the average melodic rocker should look out for some soundbites first as buying this album as a straight AOR album could leave people disappointed. I really can’t say anything bad about this release in general Scuito’s songwriting is great and his musicianship is superb and I’m sure anyone lucky to pick up one of these limited editions will be happy as long as Scuito’s niche style appeals to you.

6/10

Essential Track – ‘Art Of Love’

Review by Woody