The Usual Suspects - Joe Lynn Turner

Joe Lynn Turner will forever be best known as the frontman of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow -- during an era when the group shed its early "dungeons and dragons" direction in favor of MTV-approved arena rock (the hits "Stone Cold" and "Street of Dreams"). But since the group first folded in 1984 Turner has issued more solo releases, such as 2005's The Usual Suspects, than albums he appeared on with Rainbow. Released via the Italian label Frontiers (which specializes in veteran hard rock/metal artists), Suspects is straight out of the '80s as far as production and performance -- which should certainly please longtime Turner fans. Backed by renowned "guitarist for hire" Al Pitrelli (whose résumé lists both Alice Cooper and Megadeth), Turner has a voice that sounds as strong in 2005 as it did in 1985, as evidenced by such rockers as the Bon Jovi-ish "Power of Love" and the riff-heavy "Blood Money." Turner has always had a touch of soul in his voice (like his friend and sometimes collaborator Glenn Hughes), and the ex-Rainbow frontman gets to show it off on the soul-rock ballad "Really Loved." With all the expected elements in place, The Usual Suspects should appeal to both fans of latter-day Rainbow and fans of mainstream/melodic '80s-era rock. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide