Excellent melodic rock album
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 07/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Originally released in 1987, Push was the second album from Virginia Wolf, which featured drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Like Bonham's previous band Airrace, Virginia Wolf played polished, radio-friendly AOR/melodic rock. The band totally mastered the use of great melodies, prominent keyboards, and smooth vocals courtesy of Chris Ousey.
I know that Jason Bonham's presence is supposed to be the selling point of the Virginia Wolf albums (his name is printed right on the cover), but these albums are worth checking out on their own merits, and are among the decade's best melodic rock releases. Fans of Survivor, Journey, Foreigner et al should definitely find a lot to love in Virginia Wolf (and Airrace as well).
Push was the band's final album. Jason Bonham went on the form the very Led Zeppelin influenced Bonham, while Chris Ousey would find success with the long running AOR act Heartland.
NOTE: Wounded Bird reissued Push in 2003, the first time the album has been widely released on CD. Like all Wounded Bird reissues, the album has not been remastered and does not have any bonus material. For my part, I'm just glad to see this great album readily available once more.
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