The smooth and gentle AOR-voice Steve Overland is back with
the very
anticipated solo album and it's called
'Epic'. The frontman from the cult
melodic rock band FM, Heartland and Shadowman is one of the most pleasant
voices I know of and when one of the
greatest rock producers (Mike Slamer)
put his magic hands on the work it can't
fail or can it?? Mike Slamer brought his
companion from Seventh Key, Mr Billy
Greer (Kansas) to guest perform as a
background vocalist, so I can't wish for
better male rock vocalists.
Of course this is melodic hard
rock when it peaks and shines from it's
best side. In the opening track we get a
classic AOR track and easy listening hit
song in 'Radio Radio' with beautiful
guitars and with great vocal harmonies.
'If Looks Could Kill' is a sensitive
ballad with fabulous atmosphere and
a velvet wall of sound. In the 100% AOR track
'Stranded' we get everything we desire
from Steve and his crew. Very catchy
choruses and glittering guitar loops. I
just love Slamers guitars in 'Rags to
Riches', which is one of the most groovy
songs on 'Epic'. The butter ballad
'Liberate My Heart' is also an AOR silk
song with some of Slamers string magic.
'Down Comes the Night' and 'Rock Me' are
stunning rock tracks with adult moods.
On
the closing track of the album
(The End of the Road) they took me
out with a top notch track. Amazingly
strong album and one of my favourite
albums in this genre this year (so far
anyway). The production is flawless and
crystal clear and maybe they play too
much in the comfortable safety zone to
really surprise me enough for a top-top
rating. But a superb AOR disc, anyway.
If you like Seventh Key,
Toto, Kansas, FM or melodic hard
rock in general, you have a future
classic in 'Epic'.
Line up:
Steve Overland - Lead & Background
Vocals
Christian Wolff - Lead guitars, Rhythm
guitars, Acoustic guitars, Keyboards
Mike Slamer - Additional Guitars,
Bass, Keyboards
Larry Antonino - Bass
Jay Schellen - Drums
Guest musicans:
Billy Greer (Kansas/Seventh Key) -
Background Vocals
Billy Trudel - Background Vocals
Fredrik Bergh, Additional Keys on
"Liberate My Heart" and "Down Comes The
Night"
