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Angelica: Thrive

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

Website (Label) Facebook
Frontiers Records
by Craig Hartranft
11.13.2013

You may know Angelica Rylin as the vocalist for the Swedish symphonic rock band Murder Of My Sweet. Inspired by notable female vocalist like Robin Beck and Ann Wilson (Heart), Rylin has always wanted to record a melodic rock album. The result is her first solo album Thrive.

Angelica Rylin: sultry.

Angelica got some significant help for this project not the least of which is the backing of Frontier Records' president Serafino Perugino and the production skills of fellow MoMS band mate and drummer Daniel Flowers. Notable songwriters from the Frontiers stable, Harry Hess, Robert Sall, Alessandro Del Vecchio and Anders Wigelius also contributed songs to the album. Then there's the guitar wizards including Jesper Stromblad (In Flames), Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Per Berquist (Smash Into Pieces). With this talent behind her and her strong soaring voice, Thrive should be pretty darn good. Right?

You would be correct. One of the best things about this album is that Ms. Rylin achieved her goal, creating an AOR melodic rock album (and not making a third Murder Of My Sweet album). You get some real rockers with Breaking My Heart, I Am Strong, Riding Out The Storm, and You Will Never Win, all of which move with a deep toe-tapping groove. Several songs blur the line between anthem and ballad like Can't Stop Love and Losers In Paradise, both examples of how Rylin can go from subtle to soaring in her voice with effortless ease. One the best songs that showcases her voice, but also strength of lyrics, arrangement, and musicianship is This Kiss Is Just For You, a true, bright, quite catchy, AOR rocker.

If classic AOR melodic (hard) rock is you thing, especially performed by a female vocalist, then Angelica's Thrive is definitely a fine choice. File next to your favorite Robin Beck record. Recommended.

Angelica - Thrive EPK (Official)

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If classic AOR melodic (hard) rock is you thing, especially performed by a female vocalist, then Angelica's Thrive is definitely a fine choice. File next to your favorite Robin Beck record.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]