VOGEN – Berlin Wall (1990) Rare

Now we have another request, a hard to find album. Vocalist & guitarist Kevin Vogen has been playing in the Canadian Winnipeg area since the beginning of the ’70s. Working as session-man or live musician for others, VOGEN has toured extensively through Canada and USA for almost 50 years now.

1990’s “Berlin Wall” is the one and only album under his name, recorded with long time friend musicians. His style has the typical late ’80s Canadian sound, a very light melodic rock / AOR with some pop / Hi-Tech tint.
First track “By The Berlin Wall” is an anthemic poppy AOR tune with very nice vocals and warm ambiance. On “Brainstorm” and “Burger Bunny”, Vogen is similar like Dan Lucas from the Nineties, and that’s a good thing. “Driftin” is a very calm ballad with a generous dose of keyboards, and a favorite.
Vogen and his band sound as country fellows New Regime on “Too Late”, while “Systematic Breakdown” has a Tom Cochrane (Red Rider) feeling over it. Another highlight comes with “Master Of The Other Cheek”, musically much in the vein of underrated act Neverland.
Closer “Why” is where Vogen adds some Hi-Tech elements to his music, this song is very wimp yet cool to the ears.

“Berlin Wall” is a fresh and easy listening light AOR album, a picture perfect from the era – late ’80s – from the Canadian factory. Not essential but really pleasant, and pretty hard to find.

01 – By The Berlin Wall
02 – Brainstorm
03 – Driftin’
04 – Too Late
05 – Misconceptions (In The Room)
06 – Burger Bunny
07 – Systematic Breakdown
08 – Master Of The Other Cheek
09 – Miracle Man
10 – Point Of Blue
11 – Why

Kevin Vogen : Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Laurie Asbil : Bass, backing vocals
Greg Duncan : Lead guitar, backing vocals
Don Le Roux : Guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Mark McGovern : Drums, percussion

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