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Groundbreaker: Groundbreaker

AOR Melodic Hard Rock

4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Released: 14.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.09.2018

From the musical hit factory that is Frontiers Records comes a new collaboration between two AOR icons. Groundbreaker features veteran vocalist Steve Overland (FM, Overland, et al) and guitar wizard Robert Sall from W.E.T. and Work Of Art. As found with many Frontiers projects, multi-instrumentalist and producer Alessandro Del Vecchio is found behind the knobs. Sound pretty good, right?

Groundbreaker

With that basic introduction, for most fans of the aforementioned artists, their respective bands, and the genre, we can cut to the chase. Groundbreaker delivers as expected. This is classic rock in the quintessential AOR melodic rock tradition. The principal artists need no introduction. Steve Overland offers his melodic and soulful vocals. Sall contributes fine songwriting and soars with thrilling solos. The songs are rounded out with engaging melodies, fine vocal harmony, sweet rock rhythm and groove, and hooks in the tight refrains. Del Vecchio adds a dash of synths for flavor, and keeps the production on track for a clean, crisp sound. Essentially, this is the simple formula for AOR ear candy. Or, in other words, get the album at your favorite indy record store: you won't be disappointed.

Fine AOR rockers are delivered with Over My Shoulder, Eighteen Till I Die, The Days Of Our Life, and The Way It Goes, which reminds of Bruce Hornsby without the blues piano and groove. Will It Make You Love Me rocks a little heavier in the riffs to start, but moves quickly into more smooth arena rock. For AOR ballads listen for Something Worth Fighting For or Tonight. Strong synths move through Standing Up For Love, including a fine solo about three quarters in. As said earlier, Groundbreaker is everything you would expect from vocalist Steve Overland and guitarist Robert Sall: well-crafted and entertaining AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

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

Groundbreaker is everything you would expect from vocalist Steve Overland and guitarist Robert Sall: well-crafted and entertaining AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]