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Last Autumn's Dream: Dreamcatcher

Last Autumn's Dream: Dreamcatcher

Melodic Rock/AOR
Rating: 4.0/5.0

Escape Music
www.myspace.com/lastautumnsdream
Added January 31, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

Last Autumn's Dream is a measure of consistency and integrity in melodic rock. With each successive release you are guaranteed two essential things: expert musicianship and well-crafted songs. 'Dreamcatcher' is no exception. Basically, as a listener, all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. All a reviewer as myself has to do is decide which songs are my favorites. Satisfaction is assured. Or is it? With 'Dreamcatcher,' LAD's sixth album, are we experiencing unfailing creative regularity or redundant homogeneity? I'll opt for the former, but I'm sure not everyone will see it that way.

'Dreamcatcher' boasts 14 songs, the most of any LAD release, and all are true to LAD's form. The real gems on this work are when Last Autumn's Dream puts a little more testosterone into the compositions and so pushes the melodic hard rock envelope. 'Alarm' pushes LAD to heavier and wilder levels thanks to its urgent delivery and anxious vocals. 'Silent Dream' comes close to this as well, but remains more subtle. Another masterful rocker is 'Your Kind Of Loving' where heavier riffs combine with an epic composition that rivals the best arena rock of any decade.

Yet, as with some other recent releases, namely AC/DC's latest, less could have been more for 'Dreamcatcher.' I would not necessary call them 'filler,' but several songs could have been dropped to make this a more sturdy and complete effort. The instrumental intro, 'Welcome,' could have been saved for their live shows as unexpected and entertaining entrance theme. In the middle is the clever, but entirely too popish and quaint, 'Hello, Hello, Hello.' Finally, you can pass over the excessively droll 'Me & You' and head straight to the exceptional finish, 'When My Love Has Left Your Heart,' another true rock anthem.

The bottom line, however, is that fans of Last Autumn's Dream, and melodic rock in general, will find 'Dreamcatcher' to be a wholly entertaining, thoroughly consistent, experience by these reliable masters of melody. And it's always good to have your expectations satisfied by a sure thing. Very recommended.

By Craig Hartranft

Fans of Last Autumn's Dream, and melodic rock in general, will find 'Dreamcatcher' to be a wholly entertaining, thoroughly consistent, experience by these reliable masters of melody. And it's always good to have your expectations satisfied by a sure thing.

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