.....And I can always count on my Aussie friend, Adriana, for digging up rare music goodies and sharing them with me—especially those that I end up getting addicted to. One of her latest irresistible offerings is the 1994 album "Power" by a rock band called SILENT MAJORITY—another great band that she's introduced me to. Only problem is, I don't know which SILENT MAJORITY that I've been listening to for the past two weeks. Checked the Discogs database when I was eager to find out more details about them, only to discover that there are at least three other artists sharing the exact same name, including a hardcore rock band, a multi-cultural jazz/hip-hop group from Switzerland and an electronic house music project. For this particular SILENT MAJORITY, on the other hand, there's only a miniscule amount of information about them, mostly on websites selling their CD where they categorize SILENT MAJORITY's sound as West Coast AOR and compare it to that of TOTO, Richard Marx and CHICAGO (excellent choices there). TOTO..... That's the reason why I waited to feature SILENT MAJORITY right here and now instead of later last month—to serve as a transitional bridge to this post, because SILENT MAJORITY's sound is indeed nearly 100% identical to TOTO.....at least TOTO's 80's sound, anyway (I still think a lot of 90's rocks sounds like the 80's). Though vocally by himself, the lead singer sounds like a softer version of either the husky-voiced Richard Darbyshire from LIVING IN A BOX or the former POWER STATION vocalist, Robert Palmer. And power there is plenty of on this album by the same name, which kicks off with the feel-good title track. Got hooked on it only seconds in.....then stayed hooked on it all the way through the end. Terrific idea to include the reprise "More Power" at the end of the album—to make me remember what now stands as my #1 favorite. The light shines just as bright with "Imagination", "Greek To Me" (I totally dig the jazz-pop beat to this one!), "Made In Japan" (the little Oriental melody and the 'attacking karate Ninja' voice effects are a nice touch) and the mellow ballad, "You'll Be There", which is the song on this album that matches TOTO's sound the most; it's nearly an an exact replica of TOTO's "I'll Be Over You"—melody, vocals and all! Even the soft two-minute instrumental interlude, "Bitter Suite", is a hit, in my opinion. I haven't been able to put this album down since I picked it up, but if you think you're gonna be able to put it down after one listen, then more power to you:
1. Power
2. Oh, Lady
3. Imagination
4. Bitter Suite (Instrumental)
5. You'll be There
6. Another Shade Of Gray
7. Greek To Me
8. Made In Japan
9. Falling From Grace
10. Silent Treatment
11. Status Quo
12. More Power
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