Escape have reputation but for putting out some quality reissues of old albums, but this is the first time, I think, that the have re-released album that they originally released themselves...

Alliance are somewhat of a supergroup featuring members from the likes of Night Ranger, Boston and the Sammy Hagar Band and they initially got together when the Red Rocker  joined Van Halen in 1985. However, as if often the case with bands of this ilk, it wasn't until ten years later that the band's debut album surfaced, first in Japan and then finally, in early 1997, in Europe. Having bought this album at the time it made an immediate impact due the fact that, simply put, it was a brilliant slice of Hard Rock/AOR, not a million miles away from what the likes of Boston, Foreigner and Night Ranger made them names playing. So how does it stand up after another ten years.

Surprisingly well actually - the first disc opens with the catchy, up-tempo 'True Meaning Of Love, 'Sleepless Nights' and 'Second Chance' which are all good tracks but pale into insignificance when compared to 'Turn Around' and the ballad that is 'Rosie's Cantina' The only really negative thing that can be said about the first CD in the package is that the bulk of the extra tracks are not, in fact, extra tracks at all. Everything, with the exception of My My My (which was the lead off track on the original Japanese version of the album) was hidden at the end of the original CD, if you left it running. However this time around the songs no are individually identified.

The second disc in the package is 1999's 'Missing Piece' album. The opening two tracks, 'Id Give Anything' & Missing Piece itself, set the template for the CD as a whole which sees the band heading into a more singer/songwriter direction with overtones of later day Genesis in particular in some of the sounds used. Despite listening to this album a lot since it’s arrival I still find my self drawn to the first disc more, maybe because the material on the first CD sits more in line with my own personal tastes. However having said that Missing Piece is by no means a bad collection of songs, just different.

So there you go, for your hard earned pennies you get thirty two tracks of well played memorable melodic rock, that sound like a million dollars thanks to the excellent production. Destination Known is presented as an excellent gatefold digital wallet, along with a booklet that includes a huge family, one tree that would make the producers of 'Who Do You Think You Are' scratch their heads in bemusement. Excellent VFM, and with the band currently recording a new album this is definitely a good place to catch up with Alliance if they have so far escaped your attention...