"Why You Call" by Bucket & Co

In 2010, Dave "Bucket" Colwell released a unique project featuring some big name vocalists from bands like Thunder, The New York Dolls, The Quireboys, Iron Maiden, and more. For those who don't know, "Bucket" played guitar for Bad Company and FM among others. His 2010 all-star album was a labor of love for him, over two years in the making.

The project was named after the kickass starter, "Guitars, Beers & Tears". Bucket's playing is the one constant among these tracks, each sung by a different guest. Despite the change in singers, the record is remarkably cohesive and should appease fans of melodic hard rock. 

Perhaps one of the more unexpected guests on the record is pop folk artist Edwin McCain, who was a staple on late 90s radio with hits like "I'll Be" (which hit #5 in 1998) and "I Could Not Ask For More" (which hit #37 in 1999). On the Bucket & Co project, he sings a tune called "Survive" and one of my favorites from the record, "Why You Call".

"Father To Son" by Ned Brower

We'll get to the terrific power pop band Rooney in good time, but today's feature is Ned Brower, drummer for said band. In 2010, Brower teamed up with another fan favorite in the power pop genre, Mike Viola, to produce his solo record, "Great To Say Hello".

The entire album is off the charts, but the song that gets to me the most is "Father To Son". With lyrics that will leave a tear in your eye, this upbeat pop tune feels like a Brian Wilson track. I can't find a video, but you can sample the song here and on Amazon or iTUNES. While you're at it, don't miss the other highlights from this amazing little record, especially "Underneath Your Spell" and "Hide Your Secrets Away".

"9,000 Miles" by Monique DeMoulin

Indie artist Monique DeMoulin has been writing and recording music for 30 years and her new EP features a diverse mix of styles. The title track, "9,000 Miles", is a terrific pop rock song that should be heard far and wide. Check it out below.

You can find out more at her web site.

"Shattered Glass" by Laura Branigan

New York powerhouse vocalist Laura Branigan is best known for her smash hit "Gloria", which peaked at #2 in 1982. Branigan had an admirable collection of additional top 40 hits after that, but needed a career boost by 1987. Her fifth album, "Touch", should have done just that, but it fizzled out at #87.

Branigan's version of the over-the-top ballad, "Power Of Love", was the second single from "Touch". It proved to be the biggest single from the album, reaching #26 in 1987. The song was written by Jennifer Rush, who took it to #57 in 1986. Air Supply had the first go at this song in 1985, but only had the power to take it to #68. The song finally delivered in a big way, staying at #1 for a whole month, when Celine Dion sang the hell out of it in 1993. I think the United Nations mercifully called for a moratorium on covering this song again.

The lead off single was designed to remind people that Laura performed some terrific upbeat dance numbers. "Shattered Glass" was a great return to form, but it stalled at #48. The modest performance of "Touch" signaled the beginning of the end for Branigan's charting career. Sadly, she died of a brain aneurysm in 2004 at the age of 52.

Being the innovative wizards they are, the writers of the music video included a lot of exploding glass. Although, I always wondered whatever happened to the poor goldfish (go to 2 minute mark).

"And Fools Shine On" by Brother Cane

Brother Cane, led by the multitalented singer/guitarist/songwriter Damon Johnson, arrived on the scene in 1993 with their self-titled debut album. They burst out of the gate with the single "Got No Shame", a bluesy rocker that fit well with what was left of the hair band scene. Still, their brand of no nonsense rock and roll failed to gain traction during this changing musical landscape, but it wasn't from a lack of great songs.

Their sophomore effort, "Seeds", was ushered in with the lead single, "And Fools Shine On", which sounded markedly more grunge - it could have easily been mistaken for an Alice In Chains song. The haunting chords creates an eerie atmosphere that made it a perfect fit for inclusion on the soundtrack to the 1995 horror flick, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Despite topping the Rock Chart for weeks, the single failed to scratch the Billboard Top 100. It did, however, help "Seeds" become the only charting album in the band's career, landing at #184. Their third record, "Wishpool", failed to chart and the band broke up shortly after its release.

Johnson went on to write songs and play guitar for many other artists, from Faith Hill to Alice Cooper, and is currently a member of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders.  

"Soul Jerky" by Kyf Brewer

Kyf Brewer got his start in the 80s with the Baltimore band, The Ravyns, scoring a modest hit with "Raised On The Radio" in 1982 (helped by its inclusion on the soundtrack to the classic movie, Fast Times At Ridgemont High). More recently, he's been a member of the popular Celtic band Barleyjuice, but during the 90s he released a number of excellent solo records that sadly have been overlooked.

"Soul Jerky" is a terrific bar band rocker that sinks its teeth into your ears and demands repeats listens, especially at parties. It comes from his first solo record, 1997's "Me and My Big Mouth". It sounds like something The Black Crowes might have done in their heyday.

"Fear of Life" by Bricklin

They came from Pennsylvania in the late 80s - a punchy synth rock band headed by the brothers Bricklin, Scott and Brian. Their debut album is an underground classic in the world of AOR, and quite hard to come by. One listen to the lead-off track, "Fear of Life", and it is easy to see why. What is hard to see is why the band didn't hit the big time. Besides their self-titled debut, they also scored a song called "Walk Away" on the soundtrack to the hit movie from 1989, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

The Bricklin boys would resurface in the 90s in a more organic-sounding band called Martin's Dam. We'll get to them in time. Scott Bricklin was also featured in our post on the supergroup 4 Way Street, and he maintains an active solo career. His latest record, "Lost 'til Dawn", came out February 4 of this year.