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Artist: Overland |
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As one of the finest
vocalist the British melodic rock scene has produced, Steve Overland
returns with his second solo album 'Diamond Dealer', an album the once
again puts Overland to the forefront of British Melodic/AOR.
Unlike the first album, Overland has returned to the more straight up AOR sound that made him a household name with Wildlife and FM. Also this album sees Overland joined by Tor Talle for this release and together the pair have come up with an album that will please not just the FM fans, but also the diehard melodic rock fans. The album opens up with 'Train, Train', an instant classic that has the Overland stamp all over it. Great vocals are always guaranteed with Overland and with Talle delivering the goods on the guitar front, the album gets off to a terrific start. This isn’t a two artist album as this one also has some fine talent courtesy of Martin Kronlund on rhythm guitar, Henrik Thomsen on bass guitar and Imre Daun on drums, with additional keyboards provided by Egil Orvedal on a couple of tracks. The album continues with 'You Lift Me Up', again a fine slice of AOR but it's Overland's vocals that really make this one. Fans of FM will just love this song, but if you like me loved the first album, then the next track 'Where Is The Love' will rock your world. A touch more rockier, although we’re not talking metal here folks, it’s just more edged towards the Melodic Rock side of things and more of what was on 'Breakaway', Overland's first solo outing. 'Brave New World' is again a gentle refrain blending Overland's fine vocals with just a gentle drum opening before the track picks up with some fine harmonies from Overland and a gentle majestic guitar. This is one of my favourites from the album because it's so simply put together and although not an all out rocker, it's a great track which shows what a great pairing Talle and Overland are, and long may it continue. Things pick up pace a little more with the superb 'Roll Back The Years' and 'City Of Dreams'. Two great slices of pure Melodic Rock, another of my personal favourites has to be 'Rise', which blends the funk guitar of 70’s rock with today's Melodic Rock. A real tasty mix that just has to be heard to be fully appreciated. Another track that will send the FM fans into rapture is 'Hearts Don’t Lie'. This is what most of them were expecting with 'Breakaway', but Overland sent them a curve ball that time, but this is Overland at his best harmonious and majestic. If I had to pick one track that stands out from the rest for me it would have to be 'After The Storm' with its towering guitars and keyboards, a real touch of class. If I had to pick the best rocker on the album then there is not competition that one goes to 'Bring Me Water', this one is just an excellent and really shows that other side of Overland that was in abundance on 'Breakaway'. The album closes in style with 'Coming Home', again AOR at its finest and wraps the album up nicely, showing once again what an outstanding talent Overland is. He's probably the last of the dying breed of fine British Melodic Rock vocalists, which is a shame because the British AOR/Melodic Rock scene needs guys with Overland's talents, maybe there is someone out there just waiting to be discovered, let's hope so.
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Tracklisting:
01.
Train, Train |
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