ALDO NOVA
Twitch
Portrait Records 1985

What’s the 4-1-1?
Canadian guitar sensation Aldo Nova was riding high with the release of his 1982 self-titled debut. Propelled by the infectious pop-metal classic “Fantasy,” Aldo Nova went on to sell over two million copies. Aldo’s 1983 follow-up Subject: Aldo Nova didn’t fare quite so well. Executives at his record label were disappointed with the fact that Nova chose to do something different, rather than the same old same old. Subject: Aldo Nova was sort-of a concept album that wasn’t necessarily bad, but not what you’d expect after hearing his debut.

For Aldo Nova’s third album Twitch, the record company took the reigns and forced Nova to rely on outside songwriters and incorporate a more polished, keyboard heavy sound. Aldo has gone on record denouncing the whole Twitch experience, but fans of melodic rock beg to differ. It may have sucked for Nova not to have had as much control of the album, but the final product wasn’t bad at all. With so many pros working on it, how could it be bad?

Get your dark shades, florescent t-shirts, a white sport coats ready because “Tonight (Lift Me Up)” will take you right back to the days of Miami Vice with its pulsing keyboard changes and fuzzy guitar power chords. The chorus hook is undeniable. Nova pours out plenty of emotions on “Rumors of You.” I could see this track actually working for Rod Stewart at the time. “If Looks Could Kill” pushes the keyboards to the background and puts Nova’s guitar skills on prominent display. Multi-layered vocal harmonies dominate the chorus.

Its more flashy guitar runs for Nova on “Heartless,” as he lets out his frustrations about his latest love. The track has another memorable chorus that could easily pass for an eighties movie theme. The keyboard tones on “Fallen Angel” bounce similar to the way they did on Bon Jovi’s “Runaway.” However, it’s the drums and vocals that a highlighted throughout. “Lay Your Love on Me” is drenched in some of the heaviest riffs on the album. Nova employs another Bon Jovi technique by using the Sambora voice tube (maybe that’s why Nova’s next album was on Jon’s record label?).

Sadly, Twitch turned out to be a commercial flop. It didn’t even place on the charts. Of course one has to wonder, if the artist doesn’t support it, how far is it going to go anyway. Nova was able to get out of his contract with Portrait by the late eighties, but disappeared on the face of the Earth. He did reemerge in 1992 with the release of Blood on the Bricks, and again in 1997 with Nova’s Dream. But don’t cry for Aldo, he went on to write and produce for many famous and successful artists.

The Verdict
Aldo Nova may have hated this album, but I love it. If you’re a fan of eighties melodic rock loaded with keyboards, guitars, and passionate vocals, you’ll love it too.

Did You Know?
Aldo Nova has played guitar and produced songs for fellow Canadian Celine Dion.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne