Aldo Nova

Aldo Nova's self titled debute album starts out with Aldo's big hit Fantasy. The keyboards and hellcopter are followed by the lazer beam like sounds just before the music takes off in a direction that instantly gets you excited and moving. The rest of the album is a mixture of good mid-tempo rock songs as ell as a couple of great ballads.It keeps you rocking and moving from start to finish. This is how an album should be done.

I was pretty disappointed with this album. The guy is undoubtedly a killer guitarist but, why oh why, didn't he hire a lyricist? A parodist couldn't come up with lamer lyrics if he/she tried. As it is, the only song that really stands out is 'Fantasy' and I suspect that the only reason it stands out, for me, is that it brings back pleasant memories and associations. If you are a fan of solid, if somewhat cliched, guitar playing buy this album, listen to it a couple of times, and move on. If you are someone looking for strong melodies, solid hooks, well-written lyrics, and just plain listenability ... just move on.

I originally had the LP when it first came out in the early 80s. I was feeling nostalgic for good music since most of the current music played on the radio is not that great. The album is just as fabulous as I remember. The guitar playing, the lyrics, and the general energetic vibe beats this generic American Idol crap any day.

One of Aldo Nova's greatest album from the 80's, a must have for the 80's era or those that grew up in the 80's.

One of my favorites from the 80's...........................

This album is pure pop/rock magic. Aldo Nova plays every instrument, wrote every song, and even produced the original album. Many consider him a sort of one hit wonder because "Fantasy" is the only song people really know. The song still gets played on the radio too. Every song is great, lyrically. His lyrics are very deep. Also, he can play a mean guitar. If you like bands like Triumph, you must buy this album.

Fantasy was a big deal on rock radio in 1982 and really, how can you not like it? Young Aldo elbowed aside Triumph, Chilliwack and April Wine to build the ladder upon which Loverboy climbed out of Great White North obscurity to red leather and headband fame 'round the world.

Aldo Nova, I hoist my Maple Leaf-emblazoned glass of Caesar in salute to you!

Indeed I wasn't born back in 1982.. but Aldo is something unique that you don't hear everyday. On Itunes, some classify him as hair metal.... I could agree with that on slight terms. Still, he's a great singer. On the song "Hot Love" in the begining when he's singing, he reminds me of Lou Gramm a little with his singing, with that rapid style.

Overall, he's a great guitarist, and musician. Great time to release this in 1982. If he released it in the late 1980's there would be a little trouble, since it was more heavy metal. But over all, I enjoy this cd alot, and always will love it.

The Axe Man "Charles Passantino"

This has to be one of the most underrated albums of all time, especially internationally. The layered vocals, multitude of instrumentation and song presentation is as strong as you'll ever hear. Its a shame that the sample of "Fantasy" doesn't include the opening guitar riff. It would quite simply "blow you away". Aldo Nova is a true musician.

I know that this album was made in the early Eighties,but to me it has a faint echo of the complex arrangements and ethereal sounds of its precursors from "Yes" and "Pink Floyd", the "moonscape" and atmospheric sounds,and the echo chamber quality of the singer's voice. It has all that without getting tedious as some of the music by the aforementioned artists can do. This is a great album for getting a flavor of that music without having to committ wholeheartedly,because as earlier reviewers say,it also has the power-ballad/early hair metal flavor also to keep it grounded and listenable.Just a great album by a great musician.

THIS IS A 1980'S CLASSIC. ALDO'S STYLE OF GUITAR PLAYING HAS ALWAYS IMPRESSED ME, AND SO HAS HIS ALMOST GIRLISH SINGING. ON MANY OF THE TRACKS, HE FLIRTS WITH HARD ROCK AND OTHER SUCH ELEMENTS. ROCK ON, ALDO, CAUSE THIS IS ONE ROCKIN' ALBUM, AND IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

This is not a bad CD, it is very much different than his hard poppy BON-JOVI-ESQUE material of the 80's. Aldo demonstrates his interest for WORLD music with ethnic tribal chanting.

What annoyed me about this disc is his spoken word role playing as a gypsy fortune teller trying to invoke the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and then he goes on to speak ITALIAN in another song and then his agonizing "THE PRESSURE IS KILLING ME" rant.

This disc is recommneded only for die-hard NOVA fans.

Ignore "A Music Fans" Review and call it a day folks. This album is the perfect final work of art. His talent held true in this album as in all his other albums. Whatever you have to pay for it, PAY IT! It is, without doubt, one of his best albums. Great blend of musical instruments with vocals. Great guitar in songs like "Mary Jane" and very emotional in instrumental songs like "The End". It is a must have for any Aldo Nova Fan!

This Cd can't be considered an "Aldo Nova" Cd as much as it's really just a concept cd. I was greatly disappointed by the contents musically as it was mainly just backing musical noise with voices and other noises .....It's really very strange and I'm a big Aldo Nova fan and thought that he could do no wrong even if he sang Maty had a little lamb , but this Cd just isn't for his music & vocals , it must have been for the wife and kids because - yup !- they're on there.The only memorable thing on this entire Cd is a picture of his awesome home studio ,though this Cd could have been taped on a cassette and no one would know the difference !!!! Can't figure this one out , but ALL of his other Cd's are totally totally awesome and he's actually extremely great at what he does ,I'm just very disappointed in this Cd , as you will be too , you will be . mmmmm yes .

Steve who? Joe who? Eric who? Yngwie who?? Much to learn... they still have. This instrumental concept dream isn't just guitar and a bunch of senseless licks linked together. This is a master at work. Lots of mood, puncuation, dynamics, melody, textures, and downright.........OH LET'S LISTEN TO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.............................He is and has always been my favorite guitar player. I want to be in his band. Well that's my dream..........BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably his best work since Subject. I do agree with one of the other posts, however. The songs individually are amazing, but the flow just wasn't quite as smoothe. But all-in-all.....a very solid album from a man with the vision and creativity that is sorely missing in most modern music. Jimi Hendrix could never 'Dream' of playing 'Excuse me while I scream' and well as Aldo's version :-). Instrumentals 'Is There Anybody There' and Dreamwalk.....what can I say? ....BEAUTIFUL....left me in tears and wanting more.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Montreal's Aldo Nova has to be one of the most underrated artists of all time, especially internationally. The layered vocals, multitude of instrumentation and song presentation is as strong as you'll ever hear. I'd like to add a bit of trivia to all of the glowing reviews already posted for this compilation. The cut "Hey Operator" from the 1983 album Subject was penned by Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch and included on their self titled 1982 album and mixed by Kim Mitchell. One of the few tracks that Aldo didn't have a hand in writing. But Aldo Nova is a song writer, singer and a true musician in his own right. This album verifies that fact. Enjoy.

Aldo Nova had the misfortune of being a man of his time. The 1980's suffers from a lot of bad press. The 1980's has a bad reputation in part because Ronald Reagan was president for eight of those years and many regarded the mere fact that Reagan was in the White House as a personal insult to themselves. Many were just determined to have a bad time while he was there. Musically, the 1980's suffered under the infamous "production values" the big thinkers in the music industry thought were so absolutely necessary. This involved a souped up production in which all the rough edges were knocked off and all the sounds were mixed to bright finish. More to the point, guitars were placed to the back in the mix and synth keyboards were an inescapable presence. This is what the big thinkers believed was the wave of the future and the buying public did not disabuse them of this notion.

Fast-forward into the 1990's and the emergence of the "Seattle" sound. Suddenly the public dropped all the old 1980's workhorses. Out of fashion became the 1980's "over production" of record albums. Gone was the "were they or weren't they" man or woman deliberate stage mystic. Gone were the giant "lion's mane" hairdos.

What remains is a giant ten-year stretch we view with distain. My daughter came of age in the 1980's. My son (born several years after my daughter) came of age in the 1990's. My son tells me he feels sorry for my daughter because she had to listen to "all that crap" in the 80's.

Aldo Nova didn't have "big hair" and no one mistook him for Madonna; but he did delve into that "over-production" values big time. Aldo was an excellent guitarist who knew his chops but in keeping with the times his instrument gets buried in the mix.

The result is modern folk look down their noses at him. This is unfair. As this collection shows, Aldo Nova made some aggressive and smart music. Yet Nova also belonged to that much despised School Of Music known as "melodic rock". Given the context he worked in, Nova made some excellent records.

This collection draws from three albums. Most heavily from "Aldo Nova" and "Subject". Aldo's third album "Twitch" was ignored in its time and so it is represented with only four cuts.

"Fantasy" and "Monkey On Your Back" are here as you would expect; but there is a wealth of lesser-known material here as well. Most of it done to the level of both of these two "hits" which makes one wonder why they weren't staples on the radio as well.

We tend to regard Aldo Nova as a minor figure in the 1980's music universe. That he was. He was also very good. While Aldo Nova played within the confines of the music orthodoxy, he did try to point it in another direction. Rock and Roll is guitar music. Synth keyboards are great but a little goes a long way. With the exception of Jerry Lee Lewis, rock songs driven by keyboards tend to plod along due to the physical nature of plunking fingers on little pieces of wood. The synth sounds once thought to be so fresh and modern now only sound dated and amateurish. Every bit of that is true. But Aldo Nova was head and shoulders above most of the music of the time. This is good stuff.

Aldo's first three cds, ALDO NOVA (4 stars), SUBJECT, ALDO NOVA (3), and TWITCH (2), are represented here. Most of the cd's music comes from his first release, ALDO NOVA, with 8 of the 10 songs on the cd from that album. The songs are also grouped by the cds, that they were on. Upon listening to this cd, you can tell were on cd ends, and the songs from the next one begins. ALDO is more middle of the road hard rock. SUBJECT is more toward the heavy metal side, and TWITCH is lite pop.
All the good songs, Fantasy, Hot Love, Ball and Chain, Heart to Heart, Monkey on Your Back, Hold Back the Night, Victim of a Broken Heart, & Tonight, are on this cd.
Only complaint, is the edited version of Armageddon. The best part of the song is the beginning, and it's not their.
This disk is a must buy, and if your not a Aldo fan, pick it up and crank it up.

A Portrait of Aldo Nova, released in 1991, was the first album that I listened to from this Canadian musician. Beforehand, I think that the only song I had heard from Aldo Nova was "Fantasy." I find his music to be worthy, pleasing, and catchy. This hits compilation is taken from Nova's first three releases: his self-titled debut Aldo Nova (1982), Subject (1983), and Twitch (1985). A total of 18 tracks is included--eight from the first disc, seven from the second one, and three from the third. Everything from his first album is represented on this disc except for "You're My Love" and Can't Stop Lovin' You." All of the material is in a pop rock musical direction. I think that every song is worthwhile; all of them sport tight musicianship and gratifying sound quality. According to the CD packaging, this collection of songs has been digitally remastered, but I don't hear any improvement in sound quality. I like Nova's skilled guitar playing, too--his guitar solos are taut and energetic. When it comes to his good, distinctive vocals, I can't think of any other singer that I've heard that sounds like him. I also like how keyboards are used in combination with the guitar playing. Examples of songs that I enjoy are "Fantasy," "Ball and Chain," "Under the Gun," "Monkey on Your Back," and "Victim of a Broken Heart." The memorable and catchy "Fantasy" displays a frenetic, fast-fingered guitar solo; additionally, Nova plays all of the instruments on this cut except for the drums. The nice ballad "Ball and Chain" has an attractive chorus and a smooth guitar solo. "Under the Gun" features a well-constructed, appealing keyboard intro and a pleasurable chorus--another one where he performs every instrument besides the drums. The energy-filled "Monkey on Your Back" is a solid piece with tight, emphatic-sounding singing--also, this is a selection that features him solely playing everything but the drums. The keyboard playing from Nova on "Always Be Mine" is encompassing and pretty. "Victim of a Broken Heart" is another warm and engaging ballad that contains a good guitar solo. There's also a cover tune called "Hey Operator" that's respectable and originally performed by a Canadian band by the name of Coney Hatch. A Portrait of Aldo Nova is just over 74 minutes in duration. The CD insert contains an informative essay and a black and white photo of him. Anybody that's interested in sampling an overview of Aldo Nova's music shouldn't be disappointed with this consistent collection of songs. A Portrait of Aldo Nova is enjoyable from start to finish.

Despite his low profile, Aldo Nova is one of THE most talented musicians out there. He is truly a guitar hero for those of us who ARE familier with his work. But Aldo is not just a guitarist. He writes/sings, plays bass, plays synth, and is capable of creating some of the most trance inducing sound effects one could ever ask for. I'm quite happy with all of Aldo Nova's albums, but if I only wanted one it would be this one. Another must-have is NOVA'S DREAM. Some of it is a bit off the wall, but it is a wonderous soundscape, no, DREAMscape in it's own right. -- Scott S.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Montreal's Aldo Nova has to be one of the most underrated artists of all time, especially internationally. The layered vocals, multitude of instrumentation and song presentation is as strong as you'll ever hear. I'd like to add a bit of trivia to all of the glowing reviews already posted for this compilation. The cut "Hey Operator" from the 1983 album Subject was penned by Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch and included on their self titled 1982 album and mixed by Kim Mitchell. One of the few tracks that Aldo didn't have a hand in writing. But Aldo Nova is a song writer, singer and a true musician in his own right. This album verifies that fact. Enjoy.

Aldo Nova had the misfortune of being a man of his time. The 1980's suffers from a lot of bad press. The 1980's has a bad reputation in part because Ronald Reagan was president for eight of those years and many regarded the mere fact that Reagan was in the White House as a personal insult to themselves. Many were just determined to have a bad time while he was there. Musically, the 1980's suffered under the infamous "production values" the big thinkers in the music industry thought were so absolutely necessary. This involved a souped up production in which all the rough edges were knocked off and all the sounds were mixed to bright finish. More to the point, guitars were placed to the back in the mix and synth keyboards were an inescapable presence. This is what the big thinkers believed was the wave of the future and the buying public did not disabuse them of this notion.

Fast-forward into the 1990's and the emergence of the "Seattle" sound. Suddenly the public dropped all the old 1980's workhorses. Out of fashion became the 1980's "over production" of record albums. Gone was the "were they or weren't they" man or woman deliberate stage mystic. Gone were the giant "lion's mane" hairdos.

What remains is a giant ten-year stretch we view with distain. My daughter came of age in the 1980's. My son (born several years after my daughter) came of age in the 1990's. My son tells me he feels sorry for my daughter because she had to listen to "all that crap" in the 80's.

Aldo Nova didn't have "big hair" and no one mistook him for Madonna; but he did delve into that "over-production" values big time. Aldo was an excellent guitarist who knew his chops but in keeping with the times his instrument gets buried in the mix.

The result is modern folk look down their noses at him. This is unfair. As this collection shows, Aldo Nova made some aggressive and smart music. Yet Nova also belonged to that much despised School Of Music known as "melodic rock". Given the context he worked in, Nova made some excellent records.

This collection draws from three albums. Most heavily from "Aldo Nova" and "Subject". Aldo's third album "Twitch" was ignored in its time and so it is represented with only four cuts.

"Fantasy" and "Monkey On Your Back" are here as you would expect; but there is a wealth of lesser-known material here as well. Most of it done to the level of both of these two "hits" which makes one wonder why they weren't staples on the radio as well.

We tend to regard Aldo Nova as a minor figure in the 1980's music universe. That he was. He was also very good. While Aldo Nova played within the confines of the music orthodoxy, he did try to point it in another direction. Rock and Roll is guitar music. Synth keyboards are great but a little goes a long way. With the exception of Jerry Lee Lewis, rock songs driven by keyboards tend to plod along due to the physical nature of plunking fingers on little pieces of wood. The synth sounds once thought to be so fresh and modern now only sound dated and amateurish. Every bit of that is true. But Aldo Nova was head and shoulders above most of the music of the time. This is good stuff.

Aldo's first three cds, ALDO NOVA (4 stars), SUBJECT, ALDO NOVA (3), and TWITCH (2), are represented here. Most of the cd's music comes from his first release, ALDO NOVA, with 8 of the 10 songs on the cd from that album. The songs are also grouped by the cds, that they were on. Upon listening to this cd, you can tell were on cd ends, and the songs from the next one begins. ALDO is more middle of the road hard rock. SUBJECT is more toward the heavy metal side, and TWITCH is lite pop.
All the good songs, Fantasy, Hot Love, Ball and Chain, Heart to Heart, Monkey on Your Back, Hold Back the Night, Victim of a Broken Heart, & Tonight, are on this cd.
Only complaint, is the edited version of Armageddon. The best part of the song is the beginning, and it's not their.
This disk is a must buy, and if your not a Aldo fan, pick it up and crank it up.

A Portrait of Aldo Nova, released in 1991, was the first album that I listened to from this Canadian musician. Beforehand, I think that the only song I had heard from Aldo Nova was "Fantasy." I find his music to be worthy, pleasing, and catchy. This hits compilation is taken from Nova's first three releases: his self-titled debut Aldo Nova (1982), Subject (1983), and Twitch (1985). A total of 18 tracks is included--eight from the first disc, seven from the second one, and three from the third. Everything from his first album is represented on this disc except for "You're My Love" and Can't Stop Lovin' You." All of the material is in a pop rock musical direction. I think that every song is worthwhile; all of them sport tight musicianship and gratifying sound quality. According to the CD packaging, this collection of songs has been digitally remastered, but I don't hear any improvement in sound quality. I like Nova's skilled guitar playing, too--his guitar solos are taut and energetic. When it comes to his good, distinctive vocals, I can't think of any other singer that I've heard that sounds like him. I also like how keyboards are used in combination with the guitar playing. Examples of songs that I enjoy are "Fantasy," "Ball and Chain," "Under the Gun," "Monkey on Your Back," and "Victim of a Broken Heart." The memorable and catchy "Fantasy" displays a frenetic, fast-fingered guitar solo; additionally, Nova plays all of the instruments on this cut except for the drums. The nice ballad "Ball and Chain" has an attractive chorus and a smooth guitar solo. "Under the Gun" features a well-constructed, appealing keyboard intro and a pleasurable chorus--another one where he performs every instrument besides the drums. The energy-filled "Monkey on Your Back" is a solid piece with tight, emphatic-sounding singing--also, this is a selection that features him solely playing everything but the drums. The keyboard playing from Nova on "Always Be Mine" is encompassing and pretty. "Victim of a Broken Heart" is another warm and engaging ballad that contains a good guitar solo. There's also a cover tune called "Hey Operator" that's respectable and originally performed by a Canadian band by the name of Coney Hatch. A Portrait of Aldo Nova is just over 74 minutes in duration. The CD insert contains an informative essay and a black and white photo of him. Anybody that's interested in sampling an overview of Aldo Nova's music shouldn't be disappointed with this consistent collection of songs. A Portrait of Aldo Nova is enjoyable from start to finish.

Despite his low profile, Aldo Nova is one of THE most talented musicians out there. He is truly a guitar hero for those of us who ARE familier with his work. But Aldo is not just a guitarist. He writes/sings, plays bass, plays synth, and is capable of creating some of the most trance inducing sound effects one could ever ask for. I'm quite happy with all of Aldo Nova's albums, but if I only wanted one it would be this one. Another must-have is NOVA'S DREAM. Some of it is a bit off the wall, but it is a wonderous soundscape, no, DREAMscape in it's own right. -- Scott S.

Only the first disc is remastered. Subject and the selected titles from Twitch are not remastered. Still a great collection. Probably the best way to get Subject though. As of this review Subject is out of print and sells for around $30-40 on ebay. Also the history/bio inside is a good read. There aren't any new photos inside either.

First off, track one on here says "Fastway", and it should be "Fantasy".

Secondly, nothing new here, but the same outstanding sound Nova has become known for. His guitar work is outstanding, and while some of the music may seem dated by today's standards, it was, at the time, fairly progressive while many times following the typical song formula: intro, verse one, chorus, verse two, chorus, solo, sometimes verse three, chorus, and fade out. His guitar sound is very crisp, and fast. Guitarists today I would compare him to would be maybe John Petrucci (a legend in his own right).

He is my favorite musician from those days, and this collection seems to be released a lot. :) But I will buy it anyway!

I would love to see new material from him, but he is quite content writing and working behind the scenes.

Subject is one of the most underated albums of all time. His blend of guitars and keyboards are asome on Subject. I think the songs are actually a little stronger than his classic debute. This album as never given it's due.I ould reccomed it to anyone that can find it.

This album is an absolute work of art. Aldo Nova did not lose anything in the time it took to make his second album. His combination of great vocals blended with wonderful well thought out instruments, made an album to be remembered. I bought the record the first day of it's release back in 1983 and have had it since. Sadly I have not been able find the cd. This album was just as good as his self entitled album which contained "Fantasy". I would have to agree with another review which says "get this cd at any cost."

It's a shame that most of Aldo Nova's commercial success is restricted mostly to a single song ("Fantasy" from his first release) because this guy is one of the most incredibly talented musicians the rock world has ever heard. As much as I enjoy "Fantasy", his next album has even better songs.

Aldo Nova released 5 excellent albums (Aldo Nova in 1982; Subject: Aldo Nova in 1983; Twitch in 1985; Blood On The Bricks in 1991; and Nova's Dream in 1997). I love all of them, but Subject is my personal favorite. He is one of the great guitarists and a darn good singer. He has also played bass, keyboards, and drum / percussion machines on many of his songs (alongside some studio guests). This guy is a VERSATILE musician (reminds me of Tony MacAlpine, who has exhibited great mastery for both keyboards and guitars as has Aldo Nova).

Subject begins with the instrumental trio of Subject's Theme, Armageddon (Race Cars), and Armageddon. Some cool keyboards in the beginning, followed by motor-sound reminescent of a day at the auto races, and then BOOM!! - the fast-paced Armageddon kicks in with some of Aldo Nova's most memorable fretwork.

"Monkey On Your Back" was the first song here to recieve much airplay on the heavy rock radio stations. Lyrically it takes on an anti-heroin abuse theme. It's a memorable, heavy guitar riff with some interesting voice synthesizer accompaniment and more memorable guitar soloing. Probably my personal favorite from Subject. "Always Be Mine" was the other single released from Subject - a more commercially friendly tune than the former.

"Hey Operator" and "Cry Baby Cry" are two fast-paced rockers heavy laden with keyboard work, and the latter has yet another very memorable guitar solo. "All Night Long" is another fast-pace roker with some heavy keyboard emphasis. All of these are as good as anything that came from Aldo's debut release.

"Victim Of A Broken Heart is a ballad, as is "Paradise" that finishes off the record. I do like both of those songs, although I think Aldo Nova's best ballad was to follow on his next release, "Surrender Your Heart" from TWITCH.

"Africa (Primal Love)" has Aldo Nova making some interesting animal sounds with his guitar (Van Halen fans have listened to Eddie to the same thing also) accompanied with some tribal-sounding beats on the drums and atmospheric keyboards. "Always Be Mine" and "Hold Back The Night" are very melodic tracks. Reminds me of the likes Dokken and maybe the Scorpions.

It's too bad that only Aldo Nova's debut CD is still in print, as he had a LOT to offer the hard rock community with his other release that are even better. Most of his out-of-print stuff is now rare and very difficult to find, and some of those CD's can be quite pricey (at this writing, I've seen Subject sell for over $50 and Nova's Dream sell for almost $90!). So if you can grad those CD's cheap, do it FAST!! Aldo Nova is nowadays writing songs for other artists like Celine Dion, and I've not heard anything in YEARS to indicate he will be releasing more solo recordings.

(Incidentally, his real name is Aldo Caporuscio.)

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF ALDO NOVA EVER SINCE THE DEBUT.
I FOUND "SUBJECT" TO BE RATHER INTERESTING. DELIGHTFULLY DIFFERENT. ALL THE TRACKS WERE PUT TOGETHER VERY INTELLEGENTLY. ALL THE SONGS BLEND TOGETHER BEAUTIFULLY.
ALDO NOVA IS BY FAR A MUSICAL GENUIS!

...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.