Search - Van Stephenson :: Suspicious Heart

Music For The Recently Ditched

andy previte | The Land Of The Thirtysomthing Broken Hearted Fool | 06/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It must have been 86 or 87 when Suspicious Heart came into my life. I was already a huge fan of American AOR from the obvious - Boston, Journey, Syx - to more off-the-beaten-track acts such as Wrabit and Paul Sabu. Van Stephenson seemed like the sort of cult act that would appeal to me. The songs are superb, the production pristine, if a little sparing at time. But, again, it's those tunes - the yearning, heartache melodies that impress. The opener, We're Doing Alright, had some real poignancy for me. I was getting over yet another broken heart (Lordy, but there's been so many) and this song got me through with its quiet optimism and surging hook. Suspicious Heart, the title cut, is especially dark and beautiful, because, yes, I too had a suspicious heart, and it was proved right. If you've experienced enormous romantic disappointment and psychological damage because of an ice-cold ex-girlfriend who decided to screw with your mind for three years and is now unhappily married in a suburb of North London with a moronic husband and sporting a bad 80s haircut that looks absurd in 2002 on a 38-year-old woman then Van Stephenson's Suspicious Heart is the album for you. Enjoy."

Baby, I've Been There...

andy previte | 03/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find it truly amazing that all the emotional places he visits on this CD - baby, I've been there! The music and lyrics take you to the same place he is and you share his desperation. We all long for a little "covert action" such as referred to in "Confidentially Yours" and we've all had a night we wanted to never end as in "Never Enough Night". God knows I've also had my "Desperate Hours". Van's voice lends itself perfectly to strong emotions and he has the musical ability to showcase that voice to its greatest advantage. This CD is not for the starry-eyed sweethearts, it's for the star-crossed lovers. AOR at its best!!!"