The Lost Archives Surfacing the reviews of our forgotten youth
    Heaven's Metal #22
    Heaven's Metal #22/Mark Farner
    Mark Farner — Wake Up cover

    Mark Farner

    Wake Up

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label Frontline RecordsHeaven's Metal #22November 1989
    classic rockhard rock

    Here's some groovin' Mark Farner tunes for ya. The music here seems to settle into a sound similar to his Grand Funk days; when compared to Just Another Injustice, which featured some screamin' bluesy numbers, like "Judgement Day Blues". This album's got a real band feel to it. It is classic rock mania here, without using cliches and other people's riffs. Fans of Eric Clapton and, obviously, Grand Funk Railroad will love this. In the power ballad, "Rocco", Mark pours out his heart for a fallen brother, Rocco Marshall, who used to front Vision. Risky move Mark! But maybe he'll hear the song and bow his knee again. Some of the guitar leads in this song pack as much emotion as the words. At first listen, I was impressed to hear more of Mark's Grand Funk commercial rock hooks and less of his syrupy-sweet ballads a la "Isn't It Amazing". Upon further listenings, I now count four "adult contemporary" singles and seven mid-tempo rockers. The four AC hits are: "Upright Man"; "In Your Sight"; "Role Model"; and "If It Wasn't for Grace", with it's Mariachi sound. Good record, but three too many softies, if you ask me.

    More from Mark Farner

    Mark Farner — Just Another Injustice

    Also in Heaven's Metal #22

    Paragon — Dead and AliveChosen Stranger — Chosen StrangerBride — Silence Is MadnessTrinity — New DawnRez — Innocent BloodE.T.W. — E.T.W.The Alarm — ChangeEmpty Tomb — To Whom It May ConcernTNK — Sara's Callin'X-Sinner — Get It