Arc Angel

Arc Angel released one sprawling record of bombastic and brilliant album rock in 1983 and then flew back into the heavens. The band stems from the brain of gifted singer/multi-instrumentalist Jeff Cannata who did time with James Christian in the quasi-prog Jasper Wrath during the '70s. With Arc Angel, the Connecticut resident fabricates a fully melodic dreamscape of lofty aspirations. Cannata writes the music and handles the lion's share of the duties on the assured, eponymous debut. New York keyboard whiz Jeff Bova of Distance contributes some Baroque flourishes, and April Wine later covered an undiscovered Arc Angel gem. Side one features the gleaming "Stars" and the illicit "Tragedy," both of which rode the airwaves; side two showcases great album cuts like the sterling "Just Another Romance" and the lamenting "Sidelines." Dismissed as a Boston/Kansas clone, Arc Angel never soared as high as many of its AOR brethren. A pity, as Cannata's project shows vast potential. ~ Doug Stone