Episode 5: Boulevard - BLVD (1988)

Boulevard is a fantastic melodic AOR band that you should definitely become familiar with! Starting its roots in 1984 with their first single "Another Rainy Day In London" the band had early success in Germany that helped propel their band to an American 7 album MCA record contract! Produced by Pierre Bazinet (Sass Jordan, Paradox, Celine Dion); their first release was in 1988. The titled album "Boulevard" had tremendous national success with an opening slot act with bands such as Glass Tiger and Boston. Singles like "Far From Over" and "Never Give Up" helped push the band onto the top 100 RPM Canadian charts and the CANCON top 10 charts in 1988. The band's success was not unrecognized with winning the 1988 Music Express Award for "Best New Group" beating out groups such as Blue Rodeo. The follow up in 1990 entitled "Into The Street" was a even larger success with songs like "Crazy Life" peaking at number #3 on the CANON top single charts and "Lead Me On" peaking at #23 on the Canadian RPM charts in 1990. Boulevard also has a film music credit with the song "When The Lights Go Down" featured in the 1990 film "The Phantom Of The Mall". Internal band tensions resulted in a new album not transpiring until 2017 entitled "IV Luminescence" with the majority of the original lineup returning. The band is remastering their first two albums on Universal records sometime in early 2021. With its only American tour date in 1988 being in Seattle; and signed to an multi year commitment from MCA records America the American exposure and potential could have been tremendous. This is a fantastic group with a mix of new wave and AOR melodic stylings that should not be missed. In the vein of Glass Tiger, Bad English, Heartland, Dare but stands alone as its own unique take on the AOR genre. Take a listen you wont be disappointed!