Drummer/vocalist Hirsh Gardner started at a pretty young age. He listened to Elvis, The Beatles and a lot of jazz records owned by his parents. While most of the kids liked the guitarists, Hirsh always gravitated towards the drummers. Coming from ‘the great white north’ (read: Canada), he later moved to Boston and played in various bands (Berkshire, Crossfire, Jack, Fatback & Target) before forming New England (which was Target minus lead vocalist Ken Mele). Rather than playing the local club circuit as they had done before, the band worked hard in their rehearsal room putting together a great arena show. A showcase for Kiss’ legendary manager Bill Aucoin brought them to the attention of several major labels and they eventually signed to Infinity/MCA. No one else than Paul Stanley produced their self-titled debut album (released in 1979), including the minor USA hit “Don’t Ever Wanna Lose Ya”. Ready for action, the band set off to hit the stages in support of Kiss on their “Dynasty” tour. During the recording of their second album, Infinity went broke, but the band soon recovered with a new deal (Elektra) and released another two albums: “Explorer Suite” (1980) and “Walking Wild” (1981). A fourth album was recorded, but never released so far as the band split in 1983. Gardner, Shea and Waldo then hooked up with guitarist Vincent Cusano to form Warrior, but just prior to being signed to a major deal Cusano got the offer to join Kiss and changed his name into Vinnie Vincent. Gardner left L.A. for his home in Boston and began producing numerous acts, among which Axminster, 8084, Falcon, Mass, Roxxi, Shyboy & Vice. No less than 5 times he was voted ‘producer of the year’ for the Boston Phoenix Best Poll. With all his production work Gardner took a break from being an artist and he may never have returned to being a solo performer had it not been for the response from the fans who flocked the New England website and kept asking for new material. This got Hirsh thinking and with a lot of friends (see the list on the right hand side) he recorded his first ever solo effort, called “Wasteland For Broken Hearts”. And if you loved New England, I’m sure you will love Gardner’s solo album as well, because it’s filled with the same sort of melodic hard rock. The whole album is of a high standard, but my personal favourites are opener and title song “Wasteland For Broken Hearts” (featuring a great guitar solo from Buddy Sullivan), the Aerosmith flavoured “She Is Love” (featuring 8084’s Andre Maquera on bass and guitar), “Thunder In Her Heart” (already recorded by 8084), the beautiful ballad “Never Love” (hear those great vocals from Hirsh!) and - last but certainly not least - the album closer “Welcome Home/More Than You’ll Ever Know/Welcome Home (reprise)” on which all New England members are playing together for the first time in 20 years!
Great melodic hard rock in the tradition of New England is all you can expect from this “Wasteland For Broken Hearts”. Released by GB Music in the USA, MTM Music in Europe and Marquee/Avalon in Japan, this is one hell of an album, which will (maybe) lead to a reformation of New England. Keep those fingers crossed! (CL)
 

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Jez (on 19/04/07) Good little disc this one.The title track is excellent with a great hook in the chorus and 'More Than You'll ever Know' Featuring all the New England boys,is very good also. A couple of tracks let the side down (Bad Cowboy for example) but for the most part the songs are above average. Production wise for a lower budget release i have heard a lot worse from bigger bands on bigger labels. Now for the long awaited New England reunion - we await with bated breath   AOR Ive (on 14/12/02) I read several reviews of this album and most of them were very negative , but I have to agree with Chris because this album is definetly worth an addition to most AOR / pomp rock fan's collection . I have to admit that there are 2 or 3 fillers on this album , but most of the songs are better as mediocre . A nice on , but definetly no absolute must for everybody's taste .

 

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