Recent Reviews

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Jorn: Heavy Rock Radio II
Jorn - Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics Album Art Work

Jorn: Heavy Rock Radio II

Melodic Heavy Rock
4.0/5.0

Website Facebook
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 16.01.2020 | Released: 24.01.2020

A few years back Ronnie James protégé Jorn Lande threw fans a bit of a curve ball by dropping a covers album, Heavy Rock Radio. Wherein Jorn picked some of his favorite songs, some rock, some otherwise, some well known, others not so much, and give them his signature heavy rock treatment. Call it a Jornification of sorts. Now the vocalist give us round deus, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics.

Jorn - Click For Larger Image

Jorn Lande

Doing a covers album can be both promising and problematical. Going forward, the listener must remember that, while he probably had his fans in mind, it was Jorn that picked the songs. Songs which he likes and influenced him musically. So once more the song choices are a mixed bag of the familiar, b-sides, oddballs, and the unknown (or perhaps known mostly to fans).

But Jorn has also begun to establish a pattern. As with the previous album, he covers songs by Russ Ballard (Winning), Foreigner (Nightlife), Deep Purple (Bad Attitude) and, of course Ronnie James Dio (Mystery). Of the first three, the simple description is that Jorn and fellows make the songs heavier while still favoring the original arrangement. With the DIO song, Jorn is in his natural element. It's the best song here. Also there's a Eagles connection through Don Henley's New York Minute, which is decidedly murky and miserably plodding, making it my least favorite song here.

Additionally, Jorn covers Bryan Adams' Lonely Nights, kind of obscure, but still a hit. It simply sounds heavier. Then there's The Searchers Needles And Pins getting Jornified into heavy territory. Had to Google them and the song. They were suit and tie boy band from the Sixties. The song was actually covered previously, and successfully, by such diverse acts as Smokie Robinson, Cher, Tom Petty, and Ramones. Yeah, you read that right. Ramones. Go figure. Next is the obscure Eighties act Pages and I Do Believe In You. Look them up. Then Jorn makes heavy the Manfred Mann classic Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn), but he kind twists up the lyrics. Finally, I'll mention Peter Gabriel's The Rhythm Of The Heat. But why? Never liked the artist or his music after he left Genesis. I can't listen to most anything he's done. Music too weird for me to understand. But, nevertheless, Jorn digs him, so it's all good.

All said, if you liked Jorn Lande's past heavy rock "Jornification" of classic and some surprising song picks, you will enjoy its sequel, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics. You, the listener, will decide whether you like his interpretations. Recommended.


Another Dangerdog Music Review
War Dogs - Die By My Sword Music Review

War Dogs: Die By My Sword

Traditional Heavy/Speed Metal
4.0/5.0

Formed a mere five years ago, War Dogs hails from Spain. It took two more years to settle into their current lineup, but they quickly dropped a self-titled debut ... [ Read More ]



CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

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

The Bottom Line

If you liked Jorn Lande's past heavy rock "Jornification" of classic and some surprising song picks, you will enjoy its sequel, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics. You, the listener, will decide whether you like his interpretations. Recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Eclipse: Megalomanium II Album Review

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]