GENERATION RADIO – Generation Radio

With past and present members from such notable acts as Journey, Chicago, and Rascal Flatts in its ranks, this constellation of musicians looked quite interesting on paper. As is usually the case with these projects where skilled and prominent individuals have joined forces in order to churn out either AOR, melodic rock, or hard rock, the results can vary, which is, rather frustratingly I might add, also the case here. Generation Radio, which includes Deen Castronovo (ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Revolution Saints) on drums and backing vocals, specialize in polished and well-played AOR of the classic variety that is easy on the ear, but the problem with the output is that it contains too many saccharine ballads and filler tracks. A substantial amount of this otherwise slick and well-produced offering feels superflous, devoid of substance, and forgettable. The hard-rocking tunes that are ‘Why Are You Calling Me Now‘, ‘All Night to Get There‘, ‘Smoking‘, and the fiery ‘Time to Let It Go‘ are enjoyable and muscular pieces with a sense of drive and purpose to them, but the remaining songs come across as bland affairs that lack longevity. These gentlemen are excellent musicians who can play circles around most people, but this offering is a letdown. Hardcore fans of AOR and melodic rock might want to check it out though.