XANADU - Just an Illusion
(Americus Records 1988 - USA)

Line - up:

Pat Llanos: guitars-keys-vocals
Ronny Llanos: bass - vocals
James Michael - drums

Songtitles:

Watchful Gards
Don't leave me alone
At Roadside Affaire
Just an Illusion
Home Sweet Home
A turbulent love affair
For mom and dad
Prince of Assurance

There's one thing you don't see to often in the AOR-Melodic Rock or Pomprock scene, and that's coloured people or negro's playing this kind of music. Well, here's a surprise, because this band from the Washington area contains two coloured brothers. Musically, this rather interesting indie release, contains a variety of
musicstyles, going from pure pomp into melodic hardrock circa early Triumph. Especially the vocals and harmonies are very Rik Emmett- like.

WATCHFUL GARDS kicks off and is, for sure, the best song on the lp. This is a pure pomprock song with massive keys and good, fair high, singing. The first time I heard this great song, I thought I discovered a new pomprock sensation but after hearing the next track my expectations vanished like icecream on a hot Summerday. DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE shows the band from a complete other side. This song is pure (melodic) hardrock with an average chorus.

Happily, the following 2 tracks are again better, but not as good as the openingtrack. AT ROADSIDE AFFAIRE is a nice ballad with lots of piano-keys and the titletrack, although it's pure guitarorientated, has a great sing a long chorus and a fine arrangement. Great song. HOME SWEET HOME and A TURBULENT LOVE AFFAIR are both uptempo pomprock songs and remind to the splendid openingstrack. Both songs have subtle keys, good guitars ( some nice solo's towards the end ) and are
very enjoyable to listen too.

The 2 last songs are unfortunely again less sensational. FOR MOM AND DAD is an instrumental (nice, but nothing special) and the final track is a very bad hardrock, almost heavy metal song.

Rating: 7/Review by Willy van Buel