The Ladder [Import]

• Track Listing

Digitally remastered edition. Includes full color booklet, 3,000 word essay with new in-depth interview. Sometimes A Record appears out of nowhere which literally takes your breath away. So it is with The Ladder, a sensational five piece with virtually no pedigree to speak of, yet fully loaded with talent and a raging desire to make as big an impression as humanly possible. The fact that their sole album failed to make a commercial impact is neither here nor there but nearly 35 years after it's release we are still talking about it's enduring and timeless quality. Originating from Philadelphia, the band was formed from an ad hoc musical collective that had been involved with a number of different mostly non rock projects. The only member with a history was drummer Joe Franco formerly of the Good Rats and later to perform with Twisted Sister. At the centre of this cabal were brother's Lou and Joe Parente, both men responsible for most of the song writing. Leading the charge however was previously unknown vocalist Frank Mancano whose style and timbre was immediately compared to the likes of Lou Gramm, Joe Lynn Turner and Steve Perry. Signed to ATCO, the sister label of Atlantic Records, the album was issued in October 1986 and failed to cause even the smallest ripple of interest except - as we've learnt from other similar acts - small pockets of support in the European press. With no internet or social media at the time the odds were truly stacked against them. Despite infinitely strong songs such as 'Time Soldier', 'Breakdown', 'Standin' and the knock-out punch of 'Double Shot Of Love' the album is now considered one of the greatest lost treasures of the late eighties.