I've caught up on a few melodic rock ones Brent from quite a few months ago.
Sunstorm - Easily my fav and an album I keep pumping in the car. Really like this one, it's not metal no matter what JLT thinks, but a bit harder and more of an edge to what Frontiers have been doing. Great simple songs with brilliant guitar work. I think the guitar work is what keeps me coming back, blistering stuff.
Vega - Not bad, but run of the mill Vega. Didn't give it too much time but since I'm such a fan, I'll probably go back. Not as strong in the hooks department as the last one and seems a little short, but sounds like the usual quality the band puts out, solid enough. Could have used a few more faster numbers like the first one.
Treat - Only one listen and didn't really do much for me. A disappointment after the brilliant Coup. Seems a bit wimpy and light on, lacks balls.
First Signal - The samples for this one bode well but this is one fucking generic album if ever I've heard one. Harry does his best to save it and there is a few songs but this again is just by the numbers. The predictability of these albums they are churning out is starting to make me ill. There is a couple of good songs but nothing that makes you want to listen again IMO.
The Defiants - Ugh, things started so well with the first three songs which reminded me heavily of Revolve which I was super excited about, then the fairy floss came out. A couple of real stinkers in the middle to make you cringe and too many ballads towards the end. A couple of upbeat ones at the end but not enough to keep one interested. As I said I got the Revolve feel a little at the start with a couple of good songs but the whole thing just didn't live up, while solid enough, again not worth your time
Dynazty - I loved Renatus and still is the only album I've heard other than this new one. I turned this off three songs before the end. I don't think I've ever heard a band blatantly rip themselves off over and over again. Every songs is identical to each other and many off Renatus. This is beyond WASP territory, couldn't believe it
Soto - I loved the first one but unfortunately I'm not really digging this one. Every song seems the same whereas the first one had more dynamics and variety. Seems to lack energy and passion overall. I was all for this direction but now I think I'm with Brent that JSS should stick to what he's best at.