Customer Reviews

Subject.Aldo Nova

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...but the truth is, if you were watching MTV in the early '80's or listening to AOR you were well familiar with a song/video called "Fantasy" by a guy called Aldo Nova...it's a song that still finds its place in the rotation for "classic rock" radio stations even today.

And even though the follow-up single/video, "Ball And Chain" was pretty good, you wondered just what this guy was capable of; he had already proved that he COULD BE Canada's Paul McCartney (at least in the sense that he could play all required instruments and perform all necessary vocals on a successful debut album).

"Subject...", sadly out-of-print as of this writing, proves that indeed the potential was there. This early Bon Jovi protege' (see the liner notes for the "Bon Jovi" debut CD) proves that he was indeed a force to be reckoned with regarding the atmosphere in which the early 1980's recording industry was leading...hey, if Loverboy and April Wine could score gold and platinum records Stateside, why not a guy who could write, arrange, and perform most (if not all) the musical/vocal parts on a single album?

Possibly because Aldo tried to follow mid-'70's Canadian rock gods Rush into the realm of AOR success via the pretentious route of the "concept album"...always a dangerous trek for those better suited for the pop/rock genre...and unfortunately, Aldo found that the people who REALLY dug his debut album and those who loved Pink Floyd or Rush weren't exactly the same peer group.

Nonetheless, this album was received warmly enough so that Aldo was given the sandwich position in a North American tour with Blue Oyster Cult (headliners, obviously) and German heavy metal up-&-comers Accept (of "Balls To The Wall" fame).

Things looked good...it was a great tour (I saw it with primo seats), but for some reason the USA music press never caught on. Maybe Aldo Nova was lost under the radar. If so, that's a d@mn shame...because this guy is a musician's musician.

Anyway, this is a rather ambitious project for a guy releasing only (at the time) his 2nd album on a major label...and it is possible the label got cold feet at the prospect of releasing it...but the truth is there are a number of radio friendly songs on this album...see "Monkey On Your Back", "Hey Operator", "Victim Of A Broken Heart", "Always Be Mine", and "All Night Long".

Sequenced between those tracks are a number of "experimental" songs that give this album the degree of "what the f#$& was he thinking?" license that doom most prog-rock offerings to lore and legend...but the truth is that compared to both earlier and later releases, Aldo Nova was trying to get the most out of art for the sake of art itself. Whether this means anything coming from a guy with a mullet at the time is for history to decide...but the truth is that this an ambitious album that may well have been let down by its label...and the success of other video-oriented bands at the time.

For fans of early-'80's pop/rock, this is required listening. For people who wonder if Aldo Nova ever recorded anything after "Fantasy", prepare to be completely blown away. Find this one at all cost.

This is a really great CD by a really great artist that should have gotten more notice than he did.If you only know the name Aldo Nova from the song "Fantasy" you are not alone, but you need to hear the other CDs.

Aldo Nova is a guy, not a band, and his second CD, "Subject: Aldo Nova" is awesome, though not a commercial hit, (with the possible exception of the sleeper AOR "Monkey on your back").

"Subject:Aldo Nova" is a fabulously produced, synth/guitar rock album, with just the slightest hint of concept CD thrown in for good measure. Aldo plays all instruments, and very well I might add.

If you like this one, you'll love, "Blood on the Bricks"

Subject is a solid and consistent second album from Aldo Nova. I've always enjoyed listening to it. I first started listening to Aldo Nova several years ago. I used to listen to Subject a lot. I still like to listen to sometimes--it's got energy. Subject is pop rock with a slight progressive edge. I find every song to be listenable, melodic, and enjoyable. Subject is just as good as the the previous debut album. There's a nice and effective blend of guitar and keyboard playing throughout. The album consists of 14 tracks. The musicianship, songwriting, and production are good. Almost all of the material is written by Aldo Nova. Aldo Nova's guitar work is really good, and his singing is efficient and unique. I've never heard another vocalist that resembles him. His guitar solos on Subject are well constructed and sprightly. Keyboards add an atmospheric sweetness to the songs, also. Subject contains vocal songs and instrumentals. My favorite tracks are "Monkey on Your Back," "Victim of a Broken Heart," and "Always Be Mine." "Monkey on Your Back" is a lively straight-ahead rocker with cool guitar work. The ballad "Victim of a Broken Heart" is moving and well done. It has an emotional intro, and Aldo Nova does a nice job with the vocals. The aspect of "Always Be Mine" that I like the most is the keyboard playing. Subject is an interesting and pleasurable disc. It's worth a listen.

I would like to take this opportuity to set the record straight concerning this particular album. Although a wonderfully gifted musician and songwriter, Aldo did not play all the instruments on this album. These songs were performed by members of his touring band along with studio musicians from the new york area.To find out who played what on what song refer to the liner notes on the inside of the album.Those of us who performed on this album are very appreciative of the great reviews this record has received.Thankyou very much.

Subject...Aldo Nova(1983). Aldo Nova's second studio album.

Back in the early 80s, there was a little known Canadian power rocker who managed to land a major hit with a song called 'Fantasy'. This artist was none other than Aldo Nova. This song absolutely DOMINATED the hardrock airwaves of 1982, managing to make his presence known for a little while. His debut album was a phenomenal straight up rock 'n roll experience which introduced an awesome hardrock sound that no one else ever duplicated. The best part was that he handled ALL the instruments and vocals at the time, showing that he had some versitality. His vocals were very fitting for the music, and also sounded like no one else that I've heard. Unfortunately, he could only achieve the one-hit-wonder status in the eyes of the public, but with further investigation, one could see that he continued to make new albums. In a previous review I posted, I said that Twitch(1985) was Nova's crowning achievement, but now my opinion has changed. While the third album served as a good melodic pop rock offering, it lacked the sheer edge that the first two albums displayed, and therefore they end up being more memorable in the long run.

Here we arrive at Nova's second album, Subject. The general songwriting style of the debut album remains completely intact, though this time there are accompanying session musicians hired to play along with Nova, and he decided to form the tracks into a sort of disjointed "concept" album. The extra interludes between certain tracks try to be progressive, but they just end up as added pieces which fit around the actual songs. How does the album fare? Let's see:

The first three tracks: 'Subject's Theme', 'Armageddon (Race Cars)', and 'Armageddon' all form into one cool instrumental piece with nice keyboards and decent guitar playing. The names don't really make any sense and there was no need to separate them into their own tracks, but it's still worth hearing. The first real song on the album is the hardrocker 'Monkey On Your Back'. This one became a fan favorite. Plus, the guitars in this one make it almost transcend into a heavy metal rocker. 'Hey Operator' is another great track which sounds like it could've come off of the debut. 'Cry Baby Cry' sports some nice synths, though it's not as memorable as the last two songs. Then we reach 'Victim Of A Broken Heart', arguably Nova's best ballad. Very similar to 'Ball & Chain' from the previous album, though with more keyboards. Next is a cool, yet unnecessary instrumental intro called 'Africa (Primal Love), which cross fades into the next song 'Hold Back The Night'. If you like the other tracks, then this one shouldn't fail to please. Then there's 'Always Be Mine' and 'All Night Long' which are two very uplifting and memorable pop rockers. The album ends with a strange trilogy of sorts, starting with the short pounding 'War Suite', and then breaking into 'Prelude To Paradise' and 'Paradise'. The latter two tracks have the same theme as the opening track to the album. They are kind of slowpaced, synth heavy melodic numbers which end the album on a light note.

So is Subject worth looking into? Well, if you like the debut, then Subject would definitely be well worth your time. There are 8 real songs total, and as stand alone tracks, they are phenomenal, and are easily as good as anything off of the first album. However, the only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because Nova was trying to be progressive... and failed. I've heard numerous concept albums by many bands in the past, but I can honestly say that I have no idea what the "concept" is here. There's no real cohesive story to follow along, and if you try to figure it out, it'll only confuse you. Oh well. As long as you appreciate each track by itself, then you'll find Subject to be a very enjoyable listen. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF NOVA'S DEBUT.

Other recommendations:

-'Aldo Nova' by Aldo Nova
-'Twitch' by Aldo Nova
-'Breaking The Chains' by Dokken
-'Fire Of Unknown Origin' by Blue Oyster Cult
-'Revolution By Night' by Blue Oyster Cult

I must admit his first self titled album was great. I remember seeing him live, opening for Blue Oyster Cult around 1981.

And then came "Subject". This well written and beautifully crafted work never received the regognition or fame it should have for this Montreal born rocker.

"Subject" is in itself an experimental trip and case sensitive world full of fascination and marvel.

Aldo Nova never gained the respect he so much deserved. his style his fresh, clean and of great composure.

I highly recommend his 1995 Cd "Nova's Dreams". This is one remarkable work of music written and performed all by the man himself.

To Aldo Nova from a long time fan, I raise a toast to you, a true pioneer of rock and roll.

"Subject" never received the praise thta his first album did and personally I think he was a man before his time and to this day, the world may not be ready for this amazing performer who deserves a stand up ovation for his talent.

This album is a great listen from start to finish. The songs are well-crafted and this album belongs in everyones possession who likes good pop with a progressive touch to it. "Monkey on Your Back" is a great song along with the ballad "Victim of a Broken Heart." Worth the amount of money shelled out to buy it and really a lot better than the first album. Recommended.

Aldo Nova used alot of keyboard on this album, in addition to his fancy guitar work. He matched the lyrical quality of his first album, and stepped up the music. "Monkey on Your Back" made it to Mtv fame, but many of the other songs on the album surpass it in quality.

I played this album constantly when it came out in 1983. Aldo's first album was very good, this album was his best. Sadly after this it was all downhill. This is a concept album that works. You can put on headphones and close your eyes and listen to it as a story of sorts or take the songs as separate and they still work. It has numerous instrumentals that are in the new age meets metal catagory, hard rocking songs such as 'Monkey On Your Back', power pop songs such as the excellent 'Always be Mine' and ballads as on'Paradise'. Aldo was doing almost everything on this record from writing to excellent guitar work so it shows the extent of his talent. Listening to it today it still impresses me. I wish he could have made more music of this quality. Highest possible recommendation.

"Subject..Aldo Nova" (1983) #56.
2nd album by Canadian Aldo Nova, was just a bit weaker than his debut the year before. "Subject", gave us the hit "Monkey On Your Back" #83 hot 100 and #12 MSR, a great song about the life of addiction. Other good tunes were, the power ballad "Victim Of A Broken Heart", "Hold Back The Night" and "Always Be Mine". His next album came out in 1985.