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ALDO NOVA - The Best Of Aldo Nova |
Legacy Recordings | |||||||
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Posted: 8/16/06Reviewed by: Dirt Category: AOR / 80s Hard Rock Released: 8/22/06 Label URL: www.legacyrecordings.com Artist URL: | |||||||
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Canadian rocker Aldo Nova is best remembered for "Fantasy," the first single and video from his 1982 self-titled debut album. If you were a diehard watcher of early MTV, then you'll remember the leopard-skin jumpsuit that Nova wore in the futuristic video for the rockin' song. Before Nova exited the rock scene in the 90s, he delivered a total of five albums, the first three (the debut, 1983's Subject and 1985's Twitch) of which have songs represented on this best of. Fifteen tracks boasting Aldo's patented mix of guitar-ferocity and keyboard bounce are included (5 songs from each release). Here's a track-by-track rundown
Aldo Nova
1) "Fantasy" - this will inspire you to play air guitar for sure! 2) "Foolin' Yourself" - classic AOR - Aldo's soothing voice opens the song - pure perfection! 3) "Ball And Chain" - the second video from the debut - a soft and tender ballad 4) "Hot Love" - another rippin' track from the debut - with that cool echoed chorus 5) "You're My Love" - soft, keyboard based-track with well placed guitar lines
Subject 6) "Monkey On Your Back" - the "Fantasy" of Subject - just an awesome chorus and rhythm 7) "Hey Operator" - anthemic guitar and drum driven track 8) "Cry Baby Cry" - fret-burning opening on this sing-along song 9) "Victim Of A Broken Heart" - sensitive guitar/piano ballad - your girl will love it - totally 80s! 10) "Always Be Mine" - keyboard based 80s pop ballad
Twitch 11) "Tonight (Lift Me Up)" - A mid-paced son - Aldo's voice rules on this awesome chorus! 12) "Rumors Of You" - the single and video from the third album - tortured ballad about lost love 13) "Heartless" - a fast-paced rocker with Aldo's patented searing guitar runs 14) "Fallen Angel" - an upbeat song that spotlights the totally recognizable voice of Aldo 15) "Twitch" - a weird, new wave keyboard instrumental with some fret-burning guitar
The Bloody Truth: Another greatest hits package, titled A Portrait Of Aldo Nova, is also available so the release of this best of seems a bit unnecessary but if it brings more attention to this underrated artist, then I'm all for it. While Aldo's debut is generally regarded (even by Aldo himself) as his strongest recording, each of Aldo's records included memorable chorus-driven tracks. Unfortunate as it is, the re-release of Subject and Twitch seems unlikely, so this 'best of' serves to document the remainder of Aldo's recording career. The track list is well-done, aside from the absence of Subject's "Hold Back The Night," which is as good a song as "Fantasy" and "Monkey On Your Back." This oversight is bizarre to say the least, considering it was the second single and video from that album. In my mind, it would have made just as much sense to have left off "Fantasy." That exclusion prevents the 5-axe score that Aldo's music deserves. That said, this The Best Of Aldo Nova is a fine document of Aldo's original-sound and further proof that Aldo needs to get back to rockin'. C'mon Aldo, we're still waitin!
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