The Front

Blessed with a shock of dark wavy hair and the ability to ape Jim Morrison, singer Michael Anthony Franano probably thought he was on the fast track to Cult-like stardom when he and the Front bolted into the national spotlight. CBS Records seemed to share that opinion and the Kansas City band's first single "Fire" from this eponymous debut received a sizable radio and MTV push. There was just one problem. Franano's songwriting bore no resemblance to the objects of his reflection and the "fire" he and his band were hoping to ignite ended up more like a bright but brief spark. The Front's supporting musicians delivered performances that bore no more of a resemblance to the Doors (or the Cult, or any capable group) than did Franano's songwriting. Guitarist Mike Greene, Bassist Randy Jordan, Keyboardist Bobby Franano and one-named drummer Shane packed a limp commercial-rock punch essentially void of subtlety and invention. Released in 1989, this derivative debut from the Front is just about as prosaic as rock music can get.