707 - Mega Force (1982) [Remastered 2017]

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this album from the AOR greats including six bonus tracks. Includes 16 page full color booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interview. It appears that nearly every band back in the day experienced a never ending stream of difficulties, a series of ups and downs that made even basic existence almost impossible. For 707 the situation was no different. Their debut album produced an unexpected hit single, but Casablanca Records failed to fuel the fire and by the time they released a follow up album they were hearing rumors about the label's unstable financial position. Indeed, a third album was recorded but had to be shelved when Casablanca finally crashed and burnt. Amazingly, a life line was thrown by their old label boss Neil Bogart when he set up a new company, Boardwalk records, and offered the band a fresh start. Recruiting a new lead vocalist/frontman, Kevin Chalfant, the band also received a leg up when they were asked to write songs for a new action movie, MegaForce, helping to give them much needed promotion and exposure. It was a tremendous opportunity, spoilt only by the movie's lacklustre box office performance. Opting to continue in a more forceful direction, the band's sound evoked comparisons to Journey, REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger, placing the emphasis on solid riffs and memorable songs. For example the title track 'Mega Force', 'Get To You', 'Write Again' and Can't Hold Back'. The record is now regarded as a true underground classic, harboring, as it does, a prime, melodic, AOR sound to die for.