Fallon – Fallon (FnA Records Review)

🎸 Band: Fallon
💿 Album: Fallon
🏷 Label: FnA Records
📅 Release Year: 2015 / 2022
🕰 Content: A collection of the band’s recorded material from the early 90’s — restored and released for fans of that golden era of melodic hard rock and sleaze!

🔥 Background & History

Fallon — a name that might’ve slipped under some people’s radar back in the early ’90s, but for those who know… they know. Hailing from New Jersey, this was a band that embodied that perfect mix of commercial hard rock swagger and melodic finesse that defined the era.

Fronting the band was none other than Matt Fallon, whose resume reads like a wild ride through the hard rock halls of fame — having previously fronted Steel Fortune, Anthrax, and even the early lineup of Skid Row. Yep, you read that right.

Matt first crossed paths with guitarist Dave “The Snake” Sabo in Steel Fortune back in the early ’80s, cutting his teeth in the Jersey club circuit before briefly stepping into the Anthrax camp in 1984 during the Spreading the Disease sessions. Though he left before the album’s completion, fate wasn’t done with him yet — because by 1986, Sabo came calling again, this time asking him to front a brand new project called Skid Row.

Together, they hit Bon Jovi’s studio in Philly, laying down early demos of what would become hard rock staples like “Youth Gone Wild” and “18 and Life.” Skid Row even opened for Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet tour that same year! Eventually, Matt would part ways with the band (and Sebastian Bach would step in later), but Fallon’s story didn’t end there.

Soon after, Matt teamed up with Aaron Wilkinson (guitar/vocals), Glen Moran (bass/vocals), and Jon Nicholson (drums) to form Fallon — a straight-up, no-frills hard rock outfit with a big sound and bigger hooks.

The band recorded a four-song EP at Sound Design Studios in Philadelphia with producer Bill Fitch, and before long, college radio came calling. Seton Hall’s legendary WSOU added Fallon’s beautiful ballad “The Rain Inside” to regular rotation, followed by several of their other tracks. Local airplay grew fast, and Fallon soon found themselves gigging around the New Jersey scene — hitting venues like The Stone Pony, Club Bene, and The Fastlane, solidifying their status as one of the area’s most promising unsigned acts.

In 1993, Fallon appeared on the Shore Records compilation “Tri-State’s Best Unsigned Artists,” but by the time it dropped, the band had sadly called it quits. They briefly reunited to celebrate the release but ultimately went their separate ways as members moved on to new projects.

Years later, fate intervened once again when that very compilation found its way into the hands of FnA Records. The label saw the potential and legacy behind these recordings and decided to give them the release they deserved.

Now, with this self-titled album, FnA Records has gathered Fallon’s original EP alongside other rare recordings from the band’s early ’90s sessions — preserving a slice of New Jersey hard rock history for a new generation of fans to discover.

💥 Main Review & Track Highlights

The album opens with “Blue Sky In The Rain,” and right from the first few seconds, you know you’re in for something special. Matt Fallon’s vocals hit immediately — strong, emotional, and full of that unmistakable early ’90s hard rock charm. The song is catchy, raw, and absolutely dripping with swagger. The riffs stick to your bones, the chorus is built for sing-alongs, and that melodic guitar solo? Pure perfection. It’s one of those songs that makes you grin ear to ear every single time it plays.

Next up is “Light It Up,” and wow — talk about a hook! The riff on this track is flat-out addictive, the kind that grabs you and doesn’t let go. This one leans a little sleazier and heavier, and I’m all for it. The vocals are rough around the edges in all the right ways, and when that chorus hits, it’s like a burst of energy straight to the heart. Yeah… this one really lights up your soul (pun fully intended, hehe).

At this point, you might be wondering if Fallon can keep this level of greatness going. The answer? Yes — absolutely.

Tracks like “Not A Thing” and “Queen” continue the ride with soaring riffs, gritty guitars, and killer vocals from Matt, who proves over and over again that he’s got one hell of a voice. The man just delivers. Every. Single. Time.

But then comes the centerpiece — the stunning “The Rain Inside.” And wow… this one hits deep. A power ballad through and through, and one of the best of its kind. The moment you hear that familiar acoustic strumming, you just know it’s going to be special. Matt’s vocal performance here is breathtaking — emotional, heartfelt, and genuine. The lyrics hit hard and tug at every heartstring. It’s one of those rare songs that make you both emotional and happy at the same time — the true magic of music. The chorus is perfection, the solo is nothing short of magical, and it all just flows beautifully. I’ll be honest… I had to replay this one several times in a row. It’s that good.

After leaving you on the floor in an emotional haze, “No Stranger” picks you right back up and throws you onto the hard rock train again. This one’s pure late-’80s/early-’90s gold — catchy hooks, a sing-along chorus to die for, and yet another face-melting solo that proves these guys know exactly what they’re doing.

“Modern Love” follows and shifts gears slightly into bluesy hard rock territory. That opening riff just oozes cool. It’s got groove, soul, and attitude — and man, does it work! Add in a killer solo and you’ve got yourself another standout.

Then comes “Feel It For The First Time,” and we’re right back to that energetic, melodic sound that defines this record. Fantastic vocals, killer riffs, and a chorus that punches through with emotion. And that solo? Jaw-droppingly good.

Track 9, “Me,” is where things slow down just a bit — and not necessarily in the best way. It’s got some great bass lines and solid drum work, but it leans more toward a funky, alternative style that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the album’s flow. Not bad, just a bit of a left turn from the sweet spot these guys usually hit.

But no worries — “Bad Attitude” brings the punch right back! It’s short, it’s snappy, and it hits like a ton of bricks. Barely over two minutes long, but packed with energy, grit, and fire.

The album closes strong with “Tears” and “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and what a way to finish. “Easy Come, Easy Go” especially is a killer closer — raw, gritty, and just a little bit sleazy (the good kind, of course). The vocals soar, the guitars bite, and the chorus practically forces you to sing along.

By the end of this record, one thing is clear — Fallon had it. The talent, the songs, the energy — everything that made the early ’90s such a golden time for hard rock and melodic metal.

🤘 Final Thoughts

After spinning this album several times, one thing stands out clear as day — these guys could play. Fallon had the full package: strong songwriting, killer musicianship, memorable hooks, and that perfect mix of grit and melody. Honestly, it blows my mind that they never got bigger, because this is one of those bands that absolutely deserved to rise to the top. It’s a real shame they didn’t.

And let’s talk about Matt Fallon for a second — we all know the story. He sang on early Skid Row demos and was originally meant to appear on their debut album, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Still, hearing this record now, I’ll say it loud and proud: Fallon holds their own right up there with Skid Row’s debut. No exaggeration. This album has all the right ingredients, and it’s cooked to perfection — packed with attitude, soul, and that glorious late ’80s / early ’90s magic that I just can’t get enough of.

For fans of that era — the ones who live for that hard rock and sleaze sound — Fallon belongs right up there among the best of the “hidden gem” releases. It’s one of those records that reminds you just how much gold is still out there waiting to be rediscovered.

Final Score: A strong 9/10
🎯 Must Hear Tracks: Blue Sky In The Rain, Light It Up, No Stranger, The Rain Inside

🔥 Where to Buy & Follow Fallon

Want to grab a copy and crank this rock gem loud and proud? You can order the album here:

🎯 Buy the CD
👉 Grab Fallon’s self-titled album at FnA Records

📀 Fallon on Discogs
https://www.discogs.com/artist/5446024-Fallon-6

📱 Fallon on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/fallonband/

🤘 Follow Me (Robin) – For More Hard Rock & Metal Goodness!

I'm always talking music, collecting CDs, vinyl, and cassettes, and sharing hidden gems. Join me on my musical journey here:

🎥 YouTube – Robin Hard Rock & Metal
https://www.youtube.com/@RobinHardRockAndMetal

📢 Facebook Group – Hard Rock & Metal Fans Unite
https://www.facebook.com/groups/558260049528181

👤 My Personal Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/robin.johansson.37819

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salty Dog – Lost Treasure (2025 Reissue Review) 🎸 Band: Salty Dog 💿 Album: Lost Treasure 🏷 Label: FnA Records 📅 Release Year: 2025 🕰 Content: Unreleased material from the early 90's originally meant for their second album. Briefly released in 2018 (now out of print), reissued in 2025 with 3 bonus tracks. A Little History on Salty Dog The Sunset Strip in the 80's had its fair share of heroes and casualties during the big hair, big riffs, and bigger egos era and Salty Dog was one of those bands that truly had something . Formed back in 1986 in Los Angeles by drummer Khurt Maier (formerly of Ratt and Max Havoc), the original lineup also included guitarist Scott Lane, bassist Michael Hannon, and eventually powerhouse frontman Jimi Bleacher, who brought vocals, guitar, piano, and even harmonica into the mix. Later on, Pete Reveen stepped in to take over on guitar when Lane left the band. Now, while some folks lump Salty Dog into the whole “sleaze metal” category ...
Read more
Nikki Foxx – *If You Ain’t Been Foxxed…You Ain’t Been F ked!* (2025 Release Review)** 🎸 Band: Nikki Foxx 💿 Album: If You Ain’t Been Foxxed…You Ain’t Been F**ked! 🏷 Label: FnA Records 📅 Release Year: 2025 🕰 Content: A collection of the band’s two original demo releases, including the 1989 cassette If You Want It…Touch It (tracks 1–3), and their 1991 self-titled release (tracks 4–11). Also features a sleazed-up cover of “The Beat Goes On” by Sonny Bono. A Little History on Nikki Foxx Let’s be honest— you don’t discover Nikki Foxx… you survive Nikki Foxx. Bursting onto the Chicago scene in 1989 like a sleaze-soaked Molotov cocktail, Nikki Foxx were the self-proclaimed bad boys of the Midwest—and they meant it . Loud, wild, raw, and completely unapologetic, they were the kind of band that showed up with a bottle of Jack in one hand and a middle finger in the other. But behind the chaos was a band with serious chops and an attitude that couldn’t be ignored. Led by the one a...
Read more
  Alleycat Scratch – Deadboys in Trash City (FnA Records Reissue Review) 🎸 Band: Alleycat Scratch 💿 Album: Deadboys in Trash City 🏷 Label: FnA Records 📅 Release Year: 2006 (originally released in 1993, reissued by FnA Records) 🕰 Content: The band’s first and only full-length album from 1993, brought back to life and reissued by FnA Records. A Little History on Alleycat Scratch Alleycat Scratch didn’t just play sleaze—they were sleaze. These guys lived, breathed, drank, snorted, and screamed Sunset Strip debauchery from every pore. Formed in 1989 up in San Francisco, they quickly made the move to L.A., where they belonged—right in the thick of the sleaze and glam scene that was still roaring with attitude, even as the grunge wave started creeping in. They gained a solid following through word of mouth, bootleg tapes, and absolutely wild live shows. The scene knew who Alleycat Scratch were—even if they never got the big break they deserved. And that, my friends,...
Read more