Tokyo Motor Fist - 'Lions'

Everybody loves Ted Poley. What’s not to like – he’s easily one of the most popular performers at Firefest or HRH AOR, whether with Danger Danger or solo. His last collaboration with the talented guys from Degreed on Modern Art didn’t really float my boat but this reprise of his partnership with Steve Brown of the massively under-rated Trixter is the perfect vehicle for his talent.

This is a splendid collection of classic 80s style melodic rock and the first four songs in particular are glorious. “Youngblood” starts it off and sounds a bit like Bon Jovi (when they were good). Both “Monster in Me” and “Mean It” have that big Def Leppard chorus sound and “Around Midnight” blasts out of the headphones with a hearty ‘C’mon Let’s Go’.

After that high octane start, the title track is a bit of a buzz kill with it’s serious lyrics but Brown gets the party back on track with a delightfully sleazy riff on the street-punk tale of “Decadence on 10th Street”. Brown has clearly had a big hand in the whole album and he’s done an outstanding job throughout. He adds a wee Yngwie-style flourish at the start of the otherwise laid-back “Dream Your Heart Out” which then leads us into a couple of escapist classics in “Blow Your Mind” and especially “Sedona”. The latter is delicious ‘like a fine glass of Rose’ and is named after one of my favourite spots in the world (it’s in Arizona). The tune has got a very cool Toto-esque groove with some subtle brass work and a fabulous sax solo. Props also to the ex-Rainbow pair of Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi who bring the rhythm to the party.

I really enjoyed this and it’s a great name for a band but I’m frightened to google what it actually means. Enjoy.