Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of Unruly Child’s seventh studio album, entitled “Big Blue World”!
"For this album, there was a conscious decision to merge the best of what Unruly Child does, while still evolving. You know, melodic rock, but with that unique Unruly Child approach,” says Guy Allison. "It’s hard for us to stand still and repeat ourselves, but we also cannot help but sound like “us”, irrespective of any artistic lateral movement. While I’m sometimes surprised what catches the ears of our fans, I think that the album has something for everyone."
Guy Allison continues telling about the creative process, saying “this album was written (except for the few songs we pulled out of our 'Rabbit Hole' writing sessions, and subsequently reworked) in about 14 days. After we get a structure roughly recorded, I’ll listen to the track until the melody magically shows up, seemingly out of thin air. Sometimes I’ll have a partial lyric, sometimes just a melody that I’m singing nonsense syllables to. I’m really lucky these days to have another wordsmith to work with. In the past, I’ve been the lyricist of most of the songs that I’ve been a writer on, but now I have Betsy Summers to do some of the heavy lifting with me in that department. On some songs I’ll say, “I’ve got this melody, what do ya got?”. On other songs I’ll say, “I’ve got the first verse, but I need a second verse, here’s a pencil”. She always delivers. The rest of the time is spent giving the recordings the attention that they need to become Unruly Child tracks. Finishing the process is a lot like having a block of marble and chipping away at it until the statue underneath is revealed. For us, it’s always been the art of discovering what the song wants to be. Sometimes it’s immediate and sometimes it takes a little longer, but we always get what we’re after. It’s not much different than it was in 1991. We just have more experience now, and better gear!"
Since the initial release of the critically acclaimed "Unruly Child” in 1991, all the band members have successfully pursued accomplished careers in the music industry. Marcie Michelle Free, one of the world's finest singers of recent times, and most renowned transgender vocalists, first released a solo record as Mark Free, entitled “Long Way From Love”, in 1993 and then another solo record as Marcie Free, “Tormented” in 1996. Guitarist Bruce Gowdy and keyboardist Guy Allison also kept quite busy over the years. They produced two more Unruly Child records and participated in another World Trade album with drummer Jay Schellen (YES). They have also pursued other projects and their reputation as writers, performers, and arrangers is second to none with their experience working with the likes of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Air Supply, and The Moody Blues, to name a few.
The group, in its constant state of evolution, has generated an exciting new album reflective of their musical roots in contemporary and classic rock. With the return to the original line-up, they have discovered that while time may pass, some things never change.
Earlier this year, Unruly Child Band put on an amazing performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Milan, IT and cameras were there to capture the performance! On February 23, 2018, we'll release “Unruly, Live and Unhinged” on CD/DVD, Blu-Ray, and MP3!
A special set featuring the band’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut album performed in its entirety, along with another couple of other classic songs. 'Nuff said...
TRACKLISTING:
CD
1. Wind Me Up
2. Lay Down Your Arms
3. Rock Me Down Nasty
4. Let’s Talk About Love
5. Is It Over
6. On The Rise
7. Tunnel Of Love
8. To Be Your Everything
9. Long Hair Woman
10. Forever
11. When Love Is Gone
12. Who Cries Now
DVD / BLU RAY
1. Wind Me Up
2. Lay Down Your Arms
3. Rock Me Down Nasty
4. Let’s Talk About Love
5. Is It Over
6. On The Rise
7. Tunnel Of Love
8. To Be Your Everything
9. Long Hair Woman
10. Forever
11. This Is Who I Am
12. When Love Is Gone
13. Who Cries Now
I like the idea of World Trade. The debut was a bit of a prog-AOR classic, but I can barely recall the second release. Unify is #3 and their first with Frontiers.
You’d expect the lineup of Billy Sherwood (bass and lead vocals) along with Unruly Child's Bruce Gowdy – guitars and Guy Allison – keyboards and session superstar Mark T. Williams – drums, would hands down nail it without even thinking. But not so.
This album is just untidy. The production is really quite hollow with almost no drum sound – it’s all keyboards and bass, plus I’m struggling to appreciate Billy Sherwood’s vocals. They sound unnatural and quite strained compared to past efforts.
An appreciation of progressive music is not the issue here. I love a lot of prog-AOR/melodic rock – especially the new Threshold, which is in high rotation.
The main issue here (besides the sound) is the lack of great songs. I simply don’t think many of these go anywhere. The title track Unity is an improvement and the track that follows For The Fallen is ok too.
Lifeforce and the opening track The New Norm are good examples of a decent idea poorly executed. There’s just no flow within the songs.
Dedicated prog fans might get something more out of this, but I will defer to my popular recent conclusion – that is with a crowded marketplace, any album that doesn’t stand out is going to get lost and this is one of those albums.
Unlikely I’ll ever play this again now the review process has finished. I really didn’t get any enjoyment from it.
Composed of some of L.A.'s most recognized studio and songwriting talents, Billy Sherwood, Guy Allison, and Bruce Gowdy, WORLD TRADE will release their third album, “Unify” on August 4, 2017 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Lead vocalist and main songwriter, Billy Sherwood has been a fixture of the L.A. studio and recording scene since the mid-80's. Billy's talents range from producing a GRAMMY nominated album for Paul Rodgers to being the current bass player of YES, handpicked by Chris Squire to replace him before his untimely death. He also recently joined up with Asia as a replacement for John Wetton after his passing for the band’s current US tour with Journey.
"World Trade was always a very special band, with a unique sound. It's amazing all these years later to be able to make another record and have it feel just as special as the first,” says Sherwood.
Guy Allison and Bruce Gowdy, a pair of musicians also known for being behind the awesome melodic rock band Unruly Child Band, and drummer Mark T. Williams (son of famed composer John Williams and brother of Toto singer Joseph) round out the line-up.
“World Trade was always one of my favorite bands that I had the pleasure to be involved in. We are a real bunch of creative souls. Our debut record had such a great vibe and our new CD ‘Unity’ does as well! To our fans, we hope we can come out and play for you soon,” says Bruce Gowdy.
"If I had heard World Trade back when I was an impressionable young man (one who fell in love with the band U.K. on the very first listen), they would have made a lifelong impression on me. I'm very proud to have been a part of that musical journey with some of my very best friends,” adds Guy Alliison.
No doubt that World Trade is a world-class band in every sense. “Unify” is a mature sounding recording reflective of the years of experience within the band. With great songwriting, excellent vocals, and immense production values, this album will appeal to fans of Toto's most recent releases and 90125/Big Generator-era Yes, as well as fans of other progressive rock bands who value musicianship and songwriting craft.
Marcie Free (vocalist - King Kobra, Signal), Bruce Gowdy (guitarist – Stone Fury, World Trade), and Guy Allison (keyboardist – Lodgic, World Trade, Doobie Brothers) together with the original rhythm section from the first record, drummer - Jay Schellen (Hurricane, World Trade, current touring member of Yes) and bassist - Larry Antonino (Pablo Cruise), are back again with an awesome rock album, which will please old and new fans alike!
“Early in 2016, we decided to make time and give it a go once again with all five Unruly Child members,” tells Guy Allison. “The new album, "Can't Go Home" has now become my favorite set of Unruly Child Band songs and performances ever. True story!”
The group has generated an exciting new album reflecting its musical roots in contemporary and classic rock sensibilities. With the return to the original line-up from the debut album, they have discovered that while time may pass, some things never change…
“We are so excited with this new album coming out in February,” adds Marcie Free. “And if you find that you still got the heebie-jeebies after that and are in need of another transfusion of Unruly - try a shot of our new box set coming out too! It's got practically everything we've ever done in it and that should hold over even the most shakiest UC junkies for at least as long as it takes before we hit your area for some live shows! So come on get on board baby! The UC Train is about to blast off!!”
The band is, in fact. also working on a box set release of their independent albums, which will see the light of day in spring on Frontiers. “We put together all the earlier material that's out of print (the first album non-withstanding - you know, lawyers!) together in one package - one box set - to make available to our fans,” concludes Guy. News about the box set release will be coming soon.
With so much excitement centered around their new record, it has sparked talk of touring...Will they hit the road? News will also be coming on that front very shortly.
The future looks very promising with the return of Unruly Child, stay tuned and get ready to enjoy another superior slice of melodic rock from these masters!
Frontiers Records are pleased to announce the signing of former Yes (official) member Billy Sherwood for the release of a new, exciting band and concept album entitled 'Citizen'.
The creator of the record is former YES member/producer Billy Sherwood, who is well known for gathering amazing musicians together to perform on his projects. For this record, he has his eyes on some of the best in the business, once again, to help bring his vision to life....
In Billy's words, 'Citizen is the story of a lost soul wandering through time and living through many lives during historic periods of time. A reincarnate, he finds himself as a conscript to the ancient Roman legionaries, fighting in the last battles and as a witness to the fall of the Empire. As a close friend discussing the myth of the flat earth with Galileo. As an apprentice to Oppenheimer, he questions the ethics of splitting the atom and it's morality. As a messenger to the high command during WWI, racing through the trenches of Belgium and France. As a factory worker during the rise of the industrial age, merging man with machines. As a victim of the great depression with no options left....and more situations that place the "Citizen" in controversial, emotional and historic settings."
Billy has written all the music and production is now in full swing. Guest artists joining Billy in this journey through music, time and space include:
1 John Wetton (Asia [Original Asia])
2 Rick Wakeman Music (Yes)
3 Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)
4 Tony Kaye (Yes)
5 Geoff Downes (Yes, Asia)
6 Chris Squire (Yes)
7 Steve Hackett (Genesis)
8 Jerry Goodman (The Mahavishnu Orchestra)
9 Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs)
10 Steve Hillage (Gong)
11 Patrick Moraz (Yes)
12 John Wesley (Porcupine Tree)
More guests and musicians are TBA.
We hope to release this new album in early 2016.
In related news, Billy has also reformed his original band WORLD TRADE along with all the original members Bruce Gowdy on guitar, Guy Allison on keyboards and Mark T. Williams on drums. A new album in a musical direction close to Toto's most recent releases and Yes (90125/Big Generator era) will be unleashed after the release of 'Citizen'.
Unruly Child - featuring Marcie Free, Bruce Gowdy and Guy Allison - have released the much anticipated first part of their new studio album. The 7 track 'Down The Rabbit Hole - Side One' features the songs:
1.This Is Who I Am
2. Down The Rabbit Hole
3. She Can't See Me
4. Breaking Hearts
5. Kindred
6. For All We Know
7. Say I Love You
The songs cab be purchased via CD Baby and iTunes as digital only at this point - a CD version of the release will appear when the 'Side Two' portion of new material is published.
The band has posted this message to fans on their Facebook page:
"THANK YOU! ...to each and every one of you for your positive reception of our newest work! When we began the creative process on these songs we made a promise to ourselves to go wherever the "imaginative winds" would take us. We weren't interested in recapturing a sound, revisiting the "old days" or targeting the listener - as we truly believe that to be an overt exercise in being condescending to our audience and to ourselves.
In life and in art, there are times you just gotta take a deep breath, trust your heart and walk down a different path.
So far, you've let us know that you're with us...
Love You All..."
