: A strong example of a straight-up melodic rocker. Community Perspectives
: Described as the album’s raison d'être (reason for being), explicitly paying homage to the decade that inspires the project.
Album Review : Palace – Reckless Heart - Metal Planet Music
Critics describe Mike Palace's recent work as a "fabulously retro slice of AOR" that successfully bridges the gap between 1985 and 2024. Reviewers from Metal Planet Music highlight its:
"Back to the Palace" often refers to work in the AOR (Album Oriented Rock) genre, specifically related to his 2024 album Reckless Heart . While it is sometimes mistakenly used as the album title, "Back to the Palace" is better understood as a return to his signature 1980s-inspired melodic rock sound. A Return to 80s Melodic Rock
: It features bright synths, strong vocal and guitar harmonies, and "terrific solos" that define the classic melodic rock genre.
: The music is relentlessly uptempo and designed for "blasting in the car on those sunny summer days".
: While the arrangements are purely 1980s, the production quality brings the sound into the modern era. Notable Tracks and Highlights