Alexander Kronbrink is a very
gifted guitar player and producer. He is
back with his brainchild Sonic Station
and this time they have a new male lead
singer; Johan Boding. Marika Willstedt
is still the female lead singer, but with
Johan by the mic Sonic Station
raises from the other unknown bands in
this soft hard rock genre. I saw Johan
on a stage together with the Swedish
guitar legend Janne Schaffer back in
2012 and was stunned by his vocal
ability. His voice is high and crystal
clear and it fits like hand in a glove to Sonic
Station's music. This is a different
album compared to what I listened to on
their debut from 2012. The melodies are
much stronger and the sound is "bigger".
The move from Frontiers Records to
Avenue Of Allies seems to been a good
boost.
This is maybe the most silky music we usually do
review on this site, but I'm weak for high quality rock with talented
vocalists and gifted musicians.
Alexander Kronbrink's music is something
that fans of band like: Mecca, Lionville, Work of Art, Toto, Styx,
Chicago and Giant have to discover. I
find it very attractive that Johan and
Marika shares the vocals. It creates an
interesting blend of heart and soul in the tracks. A
big difference from the debut album is that this
time the
guitars are heavier and it sounds more
determined and it sounds rockier
overall. 'Next Stop' is packed in a
flawless production and all through, it
sounds very neat and melodious, it does at times sound even little too tidy
for a pedant. I like that Alexander has had
the guts to go little heavier than
before and it will pay in my overall
rating. To all death, thrash, heavy metal
fans: This is not an album for you, but
all you AOR/Westcoast lovers must check
this album out! Not a future classic
rock disc, but good musical craftsmanship
is always enjoyable.
A very successful sequel to what in my
opinion were a weak debut. This will pave the
way for Sonic Station and they will
bring a lot more water to the mill. To all
of us, who enjoy adult, melodic rock music
has a new band to put in our CD
collection.
Top tracks: Amelia, Catch Me If
You Can, Where Are You Now?, Half of My
Heart and Love Clash.
Line-up:
Johan Boding: Lead vocals and background
vocals
Marika Willstedt: Lead vocals and
background vocals
Alexander Kronbrink: Guitar,
synthesizers, drum programming and
background vocals
Jonathan Fritzén: Keyboards
Erik Metall: Bass
Thorleif Robertsson: Drums
Additional musicians:
Mathias Garnås: Bass and background
vocals
Arvid Svenungsson: Additional
synthesizers
Andreas Ekstedt: Percussion
Conny Lindgren: Strings
Matilda Bådagård: Background vocals
Matilda Lindell: Background vocals
Rebecca Petersson: Background vocals
Uffe Söderberg: Background vocals
