Coastland Ride: On Top Of The World

Nearly nine long years after their debut self titled release, Swedish trio Coastland Ride return with their much delayed On Top Of The World. Having signed to one of the brightest new labels in Melodic Rock - Avenue Of Allies, Coastland Ride have not only managed to get their second album released, but also their first album reissued and the chance to compare the two makes for an interesting journey. The band are still all about combining prime-time Westcoast to an AOR attack and Pop sensibilities. However this time the results sound far more assured and rounded, with a more comfortable aura emanating from the songs. With just under a decade passing between the two albums, it is no surprise that Markus Nordenberg's vocals have evolved, however the results actually make him an even more convincing focal point for the band. With the passing of time possibly restricting Markus's range, the less forced attack makes for a far more relaxed, confident delivery which fuses perfectly with the songs. Guitarists, keyboard players and "programmers" Anders Rybank and Mikael Bohlin also sound more at ease with their surroundings, with On Top Of The World being a far more accomplished album in general than its predecessor.

What hasn't changed in the Coastland Ride armoury, is their ability to blend serious topics with their far more celebratory musical approach, where Westcoast and AOR still rule roost. In general though the whole vibe on OTOTW feels far less like a band trying to impress and far more like a group of musicians creating songs that they genuinely love playing. Added oomph comes with the wonderful guitar solos on the album which come courtesy of Street Talk's Sven Larsson, with his fluid, easy style being simply perfect for CR's classy, sassy approach. However all of these positives can't quite overcome the fact that the eleven songs on show here suffer from being just too similar to each other and while each and every song on this album is worthy of inclusion, as a continuous listening experience too much of this album can be just a little forgettable.

A considerable step-up from their first release, Coastland Ride have created and album that may well have Westcoast aficionados On Top Of The World, but will leave the rest of us impressed, but not entirely convinced.

Track Listing
1. Act Of Faith (One Million Reasons)
2. Wait
3. On Top Of The World
4. Second Chance
5. Made Up My Mind
6. Sandra
7. Save You From Yourself
8. Lodestar
9. Strange Confusion
10. Jericho Falls
11. Nail Me To The Cross

Added: December 15th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Coastland Ride MySpace
Hits: 2507
Language: english

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