The Bliss Band - Neon Smiles (Reissue) (1979/2012)

Taking their moniker from keyboard player/vocalist Paul Bliss’ surname, this US hard rock group additionally included Phil Palmer (guitar), Alan Park (keyboards), Andy Brown (bass) and Nigel Elliot (drums). Formed in the mid-70s, they set about perfecting a blend of pomp and AOR, with their leader’s operatic vocals and diffident compositions at the forefront of most of their material. They made their debut with Dinner With Raoul for Columbia Records in 1978, but much better received was 1979’s Neon Smiles, which included the group’s best song, ‘Stagefright’. Nevertheless, poor sales consigned the group to an early grave when Columbia Records dropped them at the turn of the decade. Paul Bliss subsequently embarked on a low-key solo career.