OUAS ONLINE MUSIC MAGAZINE

I have been hearing the buzz about this hardrock act for some time now, and all I ever hear is good things. Well, with the release of their third, and what's rumored to be their best album, Sedona have done more than simply impressed me. They've recruited a fan in need of the first two albums! This is hardrock/AOR at its finest in 1999. Not too much on the heavy side, but still thick and laden with Alice In Chains-style groove, "Dragonfly" is simply remarkable.

Opening track "Filling Up The Holes" is one of the heavier tracks on tap and is a perfect jump into this release. Can we say melody with edge? Then comes "Highest Star In Heaven." This is absolute beauty. Emotional and subdued, but still lush with layers of vocals, and acoustic and electric guitars, this track is actually only the beginning. How can it get better you ask? Next track please! Song after song on this disc goes without saying. (Excellent!) Mike Fox's vocals are powerful, deep, and flawless. And the music is bliss. Oh, did I mention that "Dragonfly" has a computer interactive portion? Talk about bang for your buck.

And it's no surprise that this foursome is so full of talent and artistic capability. The roster of bands Sedona has had the pleasure and opportunity to perform with is by itself amazing: from Peter Frampton to Foreigner to Bad Company to King's X to Eddie Money. (This should give you a little insight into the influences happening in Sedona's music.)

Vocalist/guitarist Mike Fox and his twin brother, bassist Ray, co-produced the album. Mike wrote the majority of the lyrics from personal experiences, while Ray was responsible for the CD-ROM portion of the disc utilizing the latest technology has to offer. Mike is a veteran to the music and entertainment business, as a music major from California State University in Sacramento, founder of the music company Fox Productions, and even starring as a spokesperson in Tower Records commercials. Ray used his graphic arts talent to create the flashy cover art of the album, something a graphics designer with CNN experience is entitled the right to do. Guitarist Mark Holley and drummer Darrell Hale are no strangers to the music biz either, and it shows.

I can't say enough about this album. Nor can I give it the credit it deserves. All you hardrock and AOR fans need this disc. It's got groove, '70s funk, heavy bottom end, excellent vocals and guitar chops, and lots of emotion and soul put into it. This will no doubt be one of the top albums of the 1999 year in this publication and many others. Good job guys.

-Wes Royer