THE Hard Rock and AOR Reference on the Internet!

Bands: 10325 CDS: 25012 Songs: 297499

Nov. 13, 2024: 25,000th CD added to Heavy Harmonies! The 25,000th CD has been added here at HH, and the album with that distinction is the new comeback album from Krokus lead singer Marc Storace, entitled Crossfire. -Dan

#s A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Compilations    Soundtracks    Tributes

Artist: Blanc Faces

(click on Artist's name above to return to artist's main page)

CD Title: Blanc Faces

 

Category: AOR

Year: 2005

Label: Frontiers Records (Italy)

Catalog Number: FR CD 246

Personnel

Robbie Lablanc Vocals, Rhythm Guitars
Brian La Blanc Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion, Organ, Keyboards
Butch Taylor Lead Guitar
Jeff Batter Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Kyle Woodring Drums
Tony Archer Drums

Tracks

1.	Here's To You	4:32	Listen
2.	Edge Of The World	4:12	Listen
3.	We'll Make The Best Of It	4:17	Listen
4.	Stranger To Love	3:58	Listen
5.	Turn This World Around	3:59	Listen
6.	It's a Little Too Late	4:35	Listen
7.	Staying Power	4:01	Listen
8.	Where Do I Go From Here	4:42	Listen
9.	Beneath This Heart	3:47	Listen
10.	Pray For Me	4:48	Listen
11.	Sorry For The Heartache	4:47	Listen
12.	We Will Rise	4:57	Listen
Total Running Time:		52:35

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Blanc Faces CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Blanc Faces are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

---

Existing comments about this CD

From: Geoff	Date: June 30, 2005 at 21:54
Haven't heard the disc yet, but I got a sample from AOR Heaven. Wasn't even considering getting it before I heard that, but the sample is just brilliant. One full song which I loved and 4 excerpts of other songs, all of which I loved! Will definately track this one down now... and let you know what I think of the whole thing later.

From: Wotty	Date: July 3, 2005 at 12:32
An album that defines proper quality A.O.R. in my opinion.Songs from the "Old school" with a very modern feel."We'll Make The Best Of It" is my current fave from what could be considered one of the best A.O.R. releases of the year....

From: runha	Date: July 4, 2005 at 5:06
absolutely Wotty, this is a fantastic new group/duo, everyone who loves Journey,Boston, etc..must have this one too in their collection. melodic rock in the upper class, both up-tempo tunes and ballads. and absolutely a contender to the album of the year

From: TIM (2)	Date: July 6, 2005 at 3:21
Definitely a highlight of 2005 this, pure AOR with very strong Foreigner influences - "Edge of the World" could easily be Lou Gramm on vocals. The first 2 tracks really take the plaudits IMO, but it's a very strong album throughout (except "Staying Power") & is utterly essential for fans of 80's AOR. 8.5/10.

From: ton	Date: July 7, 2005 at 12:46
Very impressive Survivorimitation. The very best for many years! Suberb AOR. No fillers on it all good songs, only 'Sorry for the heartache'is for me less interesting. A very enjoyable album. High score.

From: MelodicMan

Date: July 8, 2005 at 7:06

Very good, in pole position for album of the year IMO. Great album for fans of Survivor, Foreigner and 80's AOR. "Edge Of The World", "It's A Little Too Late" and "We'll Make The Best Of It" are probably the best tracks, and the ballad "Stranger To Love" is also a highlight. There are moments that singer Robbie LaBlanc reminds me of Kip Winger, and the songs are so amazing... IMO best album since From The Inside

From: Teer	Date: July 9, 2005 at 2:14
This is not good. This is absolutly awesome. WOW. This is THE contender for album of the year. Where have these guys been hiding. Kinda like the Mecca debut album only better. Brilliant. 9/10

From: Teer	Date: July 9, 2005 at 6:54
Let me rephrase my earlier line. This album is not a contender it actually is the album of the year !! Hasnot left my cd for the past 3 hrs. Sinsational.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: July 17, 2005 at 12:56
After a very average year so far on the AOR front, finally a release worth shouting about. Back to the glory days of Survivor & Foreigner with this one & a very good release indeed. It still ain't perfect though as it does die a little in the middle somewhat, although it ends on a high with my personal fave 'We Will Rise'. AOR Album of the year is pushing it a bit (although besides Final Frontier,Sha-Boom,Hartman & Greenhouze it hasn't got much competition in this genre so far).

From: swriter

Date: July 20, 2005 at 21:01

Man, without a doubt, the best aor release of the year, on a low output aor year, some great heavy releases this year, but this one has to take the number one slot, all songs are great, the few weak ones even grew on me cause of this great release. The band is similar to Survivor/Foreignor but really original sounding in my book. Sound is also wonderful and these guys are the bright spot of the year for me, this is gonna be a hard one to top this year!!! Beneathe this Heart is a killer!!!

From: AOR freaky	Date: July 21, 2005 at 3:37
I only can agree with the above comments ! This is probably the best AOR release of the year so far. Quality AOR for sure, and respect for these guys that they have the guts to release such a wonderful AOR record in these anti-AOR days. BUT . . ., it will soon be beaten by the Philip Bardowell release on Frontiers. Look out for that KILLER AOR release the next months !

From: Geoff

Date: July 21, 2005 at 22:11

Agree this is easily the best AOR release of the year. I am truly delighted with this disc. The only track I don't love is 'We will rise', but every single other one is a gem. 'It's a little too late' is the highlight for me, and one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. 'Where do I go from here', 'Edge of the world', 'Beneath this heart', 'Sorry for the heartache' are faves too, but every song is a perfect slab of melodic rock. Truly excellent disc. Highly recommended.

From: Erik	Date: July 22, 2005 at 15:30
My top album for 2005. What a brilliant release. This it just AOR perfection. Love it. 9,5/10

From: aorjocke	Date: July 24, 2005 at 14:21
Yes, this is indeed a great AOR album!The La Blanc brothers also released an album back in 1985 under the name FURY - S/T. Favourite tracks are "Where Do I Go From Here", "Beneath This Heart" and "It's A Little Too Late"...a must buy for every AOR fan!!

From: Nick C

Date: August 4, 2005 at 19:11

I'm gonna upset a few here...I was really looking forward to hearing this, I chose to get it due to the vibe that was spreading about it. I think it's okay but nothing special ... a few good songs .. some very poignant lyrics (Where Do I Go From Here comes to mind). But it's a case of heard it all before (but better) for me. I've played it lots of times and delayed reviewing it as I thought I must be missing something that everyone else "got". It's good but not quite the classic for me. 6.5/10

From: Nick C	Date: August 5, 2005 at 2:51
ooops sorry that should read 7.5/10

From: Erik	Date: August 5, 2005 at 8:58
Heard it all before ? You name me the bands and i will pay topdollar to get them

From: Nick C

Date: August 5, 2005 at 18:31

I have to hold my hands up...24 hrs after my original comments something has clicked!!! Was I trying too hard to like this? All I know is that it made a gruelling 4 hour drive today go like a breeze!! Was it the sunshine and the CD blasting out? Who knows, but suddenly I've got well into it!! The only songs I'm not over keen on are 3,6 & 7. Just played it through again and it's finally got me hook line and sinker. Some of the songs are a little "samey" but still enjoyable ... 8.25!!/10.

From: swriter	Date: August 6, 2005 at 0:24
2nd response on this one for me, since my initial comments, this one is one of the most meaningful cds I have had the pleasure to listen to in years, it does that much for me, great rock/aor music, great lyrics, great vocals, the only 2 songs I find that I skip by are SPower and Rise, so positive in the lyric department and alot of heart went into this, this is just amazing!!!

From: Chad

Date: August 17, 2005 at 22:03

First off,let me say that I think this disk rivals Gotthard's Lip Service for album of the year.I am reminded of Brian Howe Bad Company and bits and pieces of Velocity when I listen to this album. There are some killer cuts on it, specifically Staying Power,Stranger to Love and the the best track on the album; Pray for me. Listen to the lyrics and immediately you can revel in what the American Soldier in Iraq or another country is experiencing. This is such a heart wrenching cut. I applaud them.

From: Axe-Machine

Date: September 8, 2005 at 8:32

Unfortunately this is one of the best AOR releases of the year, which shows how little great AOR albums are being released at the moment. This album certainly does have it's moments of brilliance, but a few tracks fall well short of the mark. Here's To You, and It's a little to late are however fine examples of the genre we love. Survivor and Pride of Lions comparisons should be made, but don't quite match up yet in terms of songwriting. Ace Production though.

From: victordeaor	Date: September 14, 2005 at 8:11
Sin ninguna duda el mejor lanzamiento de Aor en lo que va de año. Canciones realmente buenas con un estilo muy clasico y ochentero que resume las influencias de los mas grandes (survivor,journey, foreigner...) Saludos desde Barna

From: Richie Gower	Date: September 17, 2005 at 7:25
Album of the Year soo far for me,fantastic release, material like this makes me love AOR, 80's revisited, BUY! BUY! BUY!

From: swriter	Date: November 8, 2005 at 18:30
hmmm, I dont know Freaky???? to me, this one beats P. Bardowell by a few points, the number 1 aor release of the year, then PBardowell!!!! haha

From: rene	Date: January 6, 2006 at 17:13
Best AOR release of 2005. A killer album with killer songs. No soft shit but just great hard aor/aor that sound like pure 80s heaven.

From: swriter	Date: January 7, 2006 at 13:13
agreed, my number one pick of 05 without a doubt, but not too many aor choices to sort out, but a great one and hopefully more to come from the band!!!

From: Nick C

Date: April 20, 2006 at 9:04

Another comment about this (switch off!), since my last favourable review this has fallen well out of favour (sold on eBay). It's much too bland/samey as is the problem with a lot of so called AOR releases these days. If this really harks back to 80's AOR as people say then I wouldn't have got into the genre back then in 1st place. If released back then I don't think it would have put up much of a fight even against such lesser known 80's bands as Toronto,Spys,Breathless,Airborne e.t.c. Sorry!

From: juan carlos	Date: June 8, 2006 at 16:07
De lo mejor salido en el 2005. Canciones muy parejas y una excelente producción. Es cierto que recuerdan mucho a los Foreigner con canciones de buena factura. Ni bien lo tuve no paraba de escuchar "it´s a little too late" que recuerda a Cheap Trick, pero en si es un disco parejo y muy melódico. Super-recomendado. 9.2/10

From: Melodiker	Date: July 31, 2006 at 11:54
Oh my god,what a fantastic CD ! Essential ! This is the music i love! Wish there are more bands,who plays this kind of music.Fantastic ! 9,5/10

From: Heavy.AOR	Date: August 1, 2006 at 4:43
BRILLIANT 10/10.Top 2005.This is realy AOR.

From: z4roxx

Date: August 28, 2006 at 13:01

It’s really a great album,but not awesome to me.I would hear more often singers like this,great emotions and capacities in this man,my fave tracks are N.2,11,12 and both ballads,too.I hear Giants in these guys and a sort of Christianity like bands such ad Age of Faith and Brother Brother,are they believers?I am only disappoint about lead guitar’s sound(horrible)and drums’ production,too.BTW it’s indeed a great slab of aor and among the best releases in the last years.

From: Vikki Roxx	Date: August 28, 2006 at 14:07
One of the highlights of the year. Great stuff.

From: lalorock

Date: August 30, 2006 at 17:39

Gran album del 2005, canciones que recuerdan a grupazos del genero como Survivor, Foreigner, temas con melodías envolventes, como la 1ra here´s to you, la balada edge of the world genial,el medio tiempo we´ll make the best of it espectacular que coros!!, stranger to love otra balada excelente y una de mis favoritas,la rockera turn this world around, it´s a little to late otro tema que te deja pasmado, todo el album se compone de grandes temas aor de gran nivel compositivo,aor de primera,8.5/10.

From: metalguf	Date: November 3, 2006 at 15:50
very good AOR. They from 2005 and it's good. Keep up the good work boys. We love ya!

From: newscandi	Date: November 14, 2006 at 15:56
I'm not sure if I should give this a chance since I'm a big fan of FURY's 85 album but not of "new" melodicrock at all

From: feiying43	Date: November 21, 2006 at 15:52
Definitely over 9/10 stuff. Wondering how comes this low rating. Album Reminds me the feeling of Terra Nova's /Once beaten twice shy/. Awesome one!

From: Carlos A.	Date: January 26, 2007 at 13:41
Buen disco, con un estilo AOR casi a la altura de algunos clasicos 80´s, pero salvando distancias pues esta banda tiene lo suyo. Hay buenos temas como "Edge Of The World" o "Stranger To Love"... bastante protagonismo de la lirica, buenos guitarrazos, respecto a los teclados Jeff Batter deja que desear pues esta algo discreto a años luz de lo que hizo en Cannata. Aceptable 8.9/10

From: Rafo Phoenix

Date: January 26, 2007 at 15:02

Buenisimo de eso no hay duda, ahora porque tiene ese toque y estilo 80's??? alguien dijo algo mas alla de lo evidente claro quien mas sino el Gran Maestro de Maestros en el mundo del AOR el Gran "aorjocke" todos a su lado son sus alumnos los que lo conocen saben de lo que hablo, los hermanos La Blanc para los que no saben(casi todos por aca) sacaron un disco por alla el 85 su banda Fury album del mismo nombre con un estilo impecable del mejor AOR si lo ubicas seras feliz porque es una delicia.

From: YIRO SEVENTH

Date: June 16, 2007 at 20:49

Muy buen disco... De lo mejor que se ha hecho en los ultimos tiempos. Muy orientado a las baladas y medios tiempos, donde de hecho es donde mejor se desenvuelven estos BLANC FACES. Los coros están bien colocados, y eso es altamente meritorio. Destacan: "Edge Of The World" con una estructura compositiva envidiable; "Turn This World Around" es de lo mejor que hay en el disco y "Sorry For The Heartache"... Percibo influencias de FOREIGNER y cosas de SURVIVOR. En general MUY BUEN DISCO.

From: hernanHRM/AOR	Date: September 28, 2007 at 23:35
SENSACIONAL!!! tremendo discazo, que obra maestra, pues creo que los comentarios de este albun estan de mas se sabe que es una joyita del AOR actual y vaya que lo es, tremdo albun para recordar.. con unos sonidos muy pulidos y esta todo en donde deben de estar y una voz que le da magia a los temas.. asi como "We'll Make The Best Of It"..

From: hernanHRM/AOR	Date: October 14, 2007 at 20:59
Impecable totalmente Brillante que delicia de albun lo tiene todo..

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: March 31, 2008 at 18:00
Excellent AOR album - where have these guys been hiding before this album - and where's the follow-up?

From: shoemaker	Date: April 1, 2008 at 10:42
They made an album under the name FURY. It´s here on this side.

From: shoemaker	Date: April 1, 2008 at 10:44
Saw them live, very boring!

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: June 23, 2008 at 16:56
Fury in 1985, Blanc Faces in 2005 - does that mean that we can expect the next album from these guys in 2025?!

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: November 5, 2008 at 17:05
The release date for the new Blanc Faces album has been pushed back into 2009 - according to Rock Report.

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: September 23, 2009 at 17:43
And I won't be surprised when it gets pushed into 2010, then 2011 etc....

From: Photochromic Steve	Date: November 10, 2009 at 14:42
I'm glad that my last comment has been proved wrong - I'm listening to the excellent new album as I write!

From: z4roxx	Date: November 11, 2009 at 16:00
The new album is not excellent,just a second lower step than the debut with the samey arrangments and badder melodies.Own the debut is enough IMO.

From: DanDare	Date: October 17, 2010 at 18:40
I can't get enough of 'Here's To You', it's a brilliant track, although this is one of those albums where I can honestly say that I don't dislike any of the songs. Simple and direct with oodles of catchy melodies.

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: January 22, 2011 at 19:01
Delightful debut by the La Blanc brothers..catchy songs and hooks that will put a smile on your face ...faves?,many..."Here's To You","We'll Make The Best Of It","Stranger To Love"(nice),"Turn This World Around","It's AQ Little Too Late"(nice ballad),"Staying Power" & "Sorry For The Heartache"(catchy)...recommended album by all means...94/100

---

You cannot leave comments for this CD because you are not currently logged in. Please click here to log in or create a Username for leaving comments.