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.