Rock Candy continue their AOR catalogue plundering with two more gems, from Australian / American actor/musician.

Having already scored a hit and awards with 'Jessie's Girl', 1983's platinum selling album Living In Oz came at a time when Springfield was 'it'.

Both with charts and as an actor, the album mixed hard rock, AOR and power pop and serious subject matters too. This, his sixth album, was professionally recorded and sounded good. Able to contribute to some of the guitar and bass work too, Springfield really was an all rounder, and good at it; Clearly to AOR as Botham was to cricket. Tracks like 'Affair Of The Heart' (a hit single too) are catchy and feature some neat guitar work too, even if there's nothing adventurous in the rhythms. Keyboards and guitars ruled as one, and the radio and singles chart were both more than happy. ****

Two years later, after Hard To Hold, came Tao. This album would be a departure, more typical 80s in a power pop way. The vocals were as strong and rock as ever, but the music was at the heavy end of power pop, with stronger reliance on programming, both drums and keyboards.

This album saw Springfield then take a break, to cope with depression and spend time with family. Recording then became more sporadic as made-for-tv films were recording throughout the 90s. ***

Two FM oriented albums from the mid 80s that both feature power and melody, but may be too commercial for some.

Well packaged, with Springfield interviews in the sleevenotes, but that said the notes are a little too long, making it hard to pull out the facts at a glance.

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com