Customer Reviews

Blood on the Bricks

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4 star:		(2)
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The most accessible Aldo Nova release came at the dawn of the ninties. Assisted by his friendship with Jon Bon Jovi in production and songwriting the only downside could be that this is very much like a Bon Jovi album. It is a small consideration because the album is so good it becomes a mute point. But trust me you do think it when you first hear it. I believe Nova and Bon Jovi had written together for the "Young Guns II" CD and this may be the continued efforts of those sessions. Certainly the music does all the talking with the Sweet-like title track (complete with Ballroom Blitz style mid vocal section) and early highlight "Medicine Man" which is very atmospheric with a hypnotic Indian chant aspect. "Bang Bang" is a little annoying and does indeed sound like a "New Jersey" cast off. The Nova of the "Twitch" era returns in "Someday" which is a triumph down to its heart felt words and their heart felt delivery, a big power pop ballad. "Young Love" is street poetry in the Jovi-esque "Livin On A prayer" Westside Story kind of way. It's hard not too like. "Modern World" talks about the many things not to like about modern life in America and is the deepest thing lyrically on offer complete with it's anger. "This Ain't Love" is the least successful outing on this release trying a little too hard to be late eighties hair rock that had already fallen from grace. "Hey Ronnie" is another love on the roof tops ditty and although it is pure schmaltz you can't help but fall in love with it and surely must be another highlight. "Touch of Madness" and "Brightlights" close things out with the closing cut being the best of the two ending things in similar style to how it all began at track one, a guitar workout. A very good release and certainly recommended for Aldo and Bon Jovi fans alike. All but forgotten by the rush towards the doom and gloom of grunge. Buy it to play whilst driving at fast speeds in the car and too remind you that music can be fun.

This CD deserves more..Aldo Nova deserves more..more credit, more respect both as a musician and a singer.

This is a great rock CD. The Bon Jovi influence is unmistakable. Which gives this CD a Bon Jovi meets Loverboy feel. You won't find any long jams or lightning fast finger, screeching guitar work, but what you do find is 10 rock solid songs. There is not a dud in lot. Although there is not a huge song like "Fantasy", from his debut, each song can stand on it's own and could have been released as a single, there are no filler songs here. Put them all together in one CD and you have a great "pop metal" rocker. Personally, the song "Hey Ronnie" is a standout for me.

You just can't go wrong with this one. If you liked Aldo Nova's debut, then I guarantee that you will love this one. Even if you have never heard Aldo Nova before, this CD deserves a listen.

Rock on.

I just picked this up from the bargain bin in the local music store after hearing that ANova was a metal guitarist. This is the best Bon Jovi album and Bon Jovi (the band) doesn't even play here!
I can't believe this CD wasn't well publicized, it must be one of the best 80's melodic releases I have ever heard. Up there with Giant as best undiscovered rock gems!

"Blood on the bricks" is the fourth studio album by melodic rock songwriter/singer/guitarist Aldo Nova originally released in 1991,( reissued in 2004 by "Lemon Recordings"). "Blood on the bricks" was to be Nova's final album in the melodic rock genre to date; in contrast to his debut, this last offering is a far more collective effort since the album in its entirety is composed between Aldo and Jon Bon Jovi.

It has to be clear however that "Blood on the bricks" does not quite sound like a "Bon Jovi" album because it is essentially based on grooves rather than melodies, a fact some may find surprising since Aldo was one of the first melodic rock solo artists to debut in the `80s. No question "Blood...", for the biggest part, features large choruses and memorable vocal harmonies, but it does not bare the same intensity as earlier albums. Exceptions to the above observation are the melodic rocker `Touch of madness' and the power ballad "Hey Ronnie".

The line up features Nova on guitars and lead vocals, renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff and bassist Randy Jackson; those familiar with the works of the latter two musicians should be hardly surprised of the groovy orientation of the album. "Blood on the bricks" is indeed the last of Aldo in `80s rock and a historic collaboration between two legends of the scene.

Originally released in 1991, Blood on the Bricks was the fourth album from Canadian singer/guitarist/keyboardist Aldo Nova. Nowhere near as popular as his self-titled 1982 debut (and the hit single "Fantasy"), the overlooked Blood on the Bricks was still one of Nova's better releases.

Blood on the Bricks was a comeback album for Aldo Nova. He had been largely absent as a solo artist since his 1985 album Twitch (also fantastic, also underrated), but remained active as a songwriter and producer. For this album, Nova was assisted by none other than Jon Bon Jovi, who provided songwriting support, backing vocals and even a record label. Bass duties were handled by future American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

Not surprisingly, Blood on the Bricks has a lot in common with the arena-rocking Bon Jovi albums that came out around that time. I also hear similarities to bands like Bad English and Brian Howe era Bad Company. It's an incredibly melodic rock album with plenty of catchy hooks and shout-along choruses, and just enough in the way of keyboards. Nova's voice is in fine shape, and when he launches into a guitar solo you suddenly remember how this AOR hitmaker could totally smoke on guitar. The rocking title track and the ballad "Someday" were the singles, but nearly all of the songs on this album could have been hits.

Sadly, Blood on the Bricks did not gain Nova much attention or popularity. Nova went back to behind-the-scenes work, much to melodic rock fans' regret. If you're a fan of the late `80s melodic rock sound, or just remember Aldo Nova from the "Fantasy" days, you'd do well to give this album a try. It's a real melodic rock gem.

Blood on the Bricks is an awsome album. It has no filler material and keeps you rocking from the begining until the end. This is how an album should sound. It does have a Bon Jovi like sound and this is because non other than Jon Bon Jovi himself produced it. They are longtime friends and enjoy working together. Either way you won't regret buying this album it's an all time classic that never got its due.

I have a brother who DJ's and we search diligently for old 80's to 90's Glam Rock that went un-noticed from radio. When I stumbled onto "Blood on the Bricks" I jammed to it in my car for at least a month. That was 5 years ago.
I wasn't big into Aldo Nova even when he hit big back in the eighties, with "Monkey on your back". I was more into Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Krokus, and Bon Jovi. Now that I've got his self titled, Twisted, and Portrait albums I'd have to say I'm blown away that I held a deaf ear to his music for so long. This is one of the best, and well manicured albums I've ever listened to. If you are into the lost sound of the Glam / Melodic Rock of the eighties and early 90's this is a must have. I own two of these cd's(not burned) one for the car and one for the house. As I stated in the title to my review this album Rocks. Not a bad track on the whole CD.
Aldo Nova even showed America he can still crank out awesome hits. "This is the night" sang by Clay Aiken was a recent tune Aldo was involved on, and that was the biggest selling single for 2003. It'd be great to hear him crank out another cd in the future.

This was Aldo Nova's best release with at least 5 songs that should have been singles. The record company really dropped the ball on this one. Buy this long out-of-print cd before it disappears again forever!