Ramin Karimloo may not be your normal GRTR! fare as he has made his name in a series of West End shows including 'Les Miserables' and 'Love Never Dies'. This is his debut album, a mix of self-penned tunes, musical numbers and a few covers.
'Show Me Light' and 'Coming Home' are decent AOR numbers with a suitably grandiose musical backing. He makes 'Music Of the Night' from 'Phantom of the Opera' his own - you can see why he lands so many lead roles in musicals. Listen out for the Muse cover, 'Guiding Light' done like a musical number, as is the Bryan Adams cover 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)'. The album can dip occasionally into MOR/cheesy listening but overall a decent listen for fans of musicals and big production AOR.
Released in early February this is perfect for the Valentines Day market and Radio 2 daytime airplay, plus rock fans who have a melodic rock passion.
Jason Ritchie