What have we got here? New UK act Vega have just released their debut CD on Frontiers Records and they may be a contender for best debut of the year! I got a hold of the record too late in the game to make an appearance on my “Best of 2010” list so I may have to squeeze this one into my 2011 list!

VEGA is fronted by former KICK vocalist Nick Workman and features Tom Martin on guitars, Dan Chantrey on drums and James Martin on keyboards. If you didn’t know of KICK, they were a band that were somewhat ahead of the time as they played a great mix of 80’s-influenced melodic rock wrapped up in an up-to-date skin. Workman’s vocals are eerily reminiscent to that of DREAM THEATER’s James LaBrie. Also, the Martin brothers are top-notch songwriters in the AOR game as they have penned tunes for HOUSE OF LORDS and the Joe Lynn Turner-led project SUNSTORM amongst others. The union of these talents has made for an impressive debut for sure.

Led by first single “Kiss Of Life”, the debut brings the listener on a melodic-filled blissful journey in the world of modern AOR. These are the types of releases that could save this fledgling genre. The title track brings all that is good in AOR to the forefront as it features stellar production, marvelous song-writing and arrangement. The vocals of Workman are a definite highlight as are the keyboard sounds from James Martin.

You could choose any track from “Kiss Of Life” and come to the same conclusion. This is intelligent and well-written music; from rockers like “Staring At The Sun” and “A.N.other” to the ballads “Too Young For Wings” and “What It Takes”, all the way to the U2-influenced “Headlights”, you get superb musicianship and top-notch vocals. Workman is easily one of the top voices in AOR these days.

If you are a fan of the best 80’s AOR sounds but are living in 2011, then VEGA my be the band for you. Check out “Kiss Of Life” and see if you agree.