CHINA – Light Up The Dark

CHINA – Light Up The Dark

Veteran Swiss hard rockers with their fifth studio album “Light Up The Dark”. Their 1989 second album “Sign In The Sky” was a tape trading favorite of mine in my early years. Comparably speaking, China in 2011 have not really veered off their conventional melodic, hook laden path. “Girl On My Screen” in the chorus has that old Autograph “Girls In Black Cars” feel, and the band really know how to emphasize the power in a power ballad like “Gates Of Heaven”, a la Bon Jovi or White Lion.

Bluesy vocals with guest Marc Storace bring “On My Way” give “Light Up The Dark” an even more professional uplift than the already above average songwriting displays. I still believe Gotthard heads the Swiss class for melodic hard rock from this country, but these 12 songs keep the flag high for American inspired rock and roll that never fades away.

www.chinamusic.ch
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