Dakota - Runaway (1984) [2002]

A milestone in AOR history, DAKOTA 1984’s album “Runaway” is a must have into any ’80s AOR collection.

In 1984 Dakota released this, their 2nd album “Runaway”, now regarded as an ’80s AOR milestone. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, the album contains some of the most celebrated AOR / Melodic Rock tracks ever recorded.
It is the songwriting of Hludzik and Kelly that makes an immediate impact; laced with copious melody, huge hooks and musical support from a long list of the best L.A. Session cats.

The sound is a fine blend of Pomp rock, catchy Melodic Rock and sumptuous AOR, with touches of Trillion, Styx, Peter Frampton and Toto.
Superb melodies with stylized layered harmonies, twin guitars balanced with two keyboard players, and solid bass and drums that provide a dynamic rhythm.

Dakota’s “Runaway” is an AOR masterpiece that should belong to any AOR collection, indeed any music collection in general.

Tracks:

01. Runaway (05:04)
02. Tonight Could Last Forever (04:41)
03. Heroes (04:13)
04. When The Rebel Comes Home (04:17)
05. Love Won't Last (04:12)
06. Into The Night (04:53)
07. Angry Men (04:38)
08. If Only I'd Known It (04:27)
09. Over And Over (04:29)
10. Believin' (04:19)
11. More Love (03:22)
12. National Runaway Hotline Radio Spot (00:36)

Personnel:

Jerry G. Hludzik - lead & backing vocals, guitars
Bill Kelly - lead & backing vocals, guitars
Rick Manwiller - acoustic piano, Fender-Rhodes and main synthesizers
Danny Seraphine - drums
Neil Steubenhaus - bass
Bill McHale - bass, backing vocals on "More Love"
Bill Champlin - backing vocals on "Angry Men"
Ernie Watts - saxophone on "Over And Over"
Chris Pinnick / Richie Zito / Paul Jackson, Jr. - additional guitars
Michael Boddicker / Steve Porcaro / David "Hawk" Wolinski - additional synthesizers