Autumn's Child: Zenith

The name of Mikael Erlandsson first came to my attention when he joined the Swedish band Secret Service back in the 2000`s, but I`d earlier been aware of said band a lot earlier through their successful duet with ABBA`s Agnetha Faltskog `The Way You Are`/`Fly Like An Eagle` single. As well as him playing with Secret Service Mikael was also part of the excellent Melodic Rock Band Last Autumns Dream, who released many a fine album during that particular bands lifetime, which now brings us now rather neatly bang up to date and to the aptly named Autumn`s Child, which is very much Erlandsson`s baby, and incredibly already on their 3rd album.

Alongside Erlandsson, there’s Pontus Åkesson on Guitar, Claes Andreasson on Piano, Magnus Rosen on Bass and Robban Bäck on Drums that together have produced a record that is teeming with melodic goodness. ‘Emergency’, kicks off the album, and lays down a real marker for what is to follow. ‘Evangeline’ is next and is that rare beast that manages to straddle the Pop and Rock worlds with consummate ease.

`Love is a Fighter` is a tight little rocker that initially goes under the radar, but repeated listens brings out its hidden melodic treasures. Then almost inevitably comes the traditional power ballad of course this time in the shape of ‘Nightingale’ which in fairness showcases a lovely guitar solo and a suitably OTT vocal which tops it off rather splendidly.

‘Never Say Die’ and ‘Heaven Can Wait’ are both very different in nature, but paradoxically complement each other, the former being a hard hitting rocker, whereas the latter is another ballad giving Erlandsson the opportunity to show off his vocal prowess.

Both ‘Angel Of Danger’ and ‘High On Love’ score high in the classy Melodic stakes, and ‘Crowdpleaser’ has a somewhat sleazy vibe going on, which makes for a pleasant change of focus.

The album is rounded off with the frantic ‘Don’t Wanna’, and the rather strangely downbeat ‘Damaged Goods’, but it works in the context of what has gone before it.

Superbly played and produced, with a particular eye on the songs arrangements which really do bring the material to life.

In Summary, Zenith, is an album that deserves a place in any self-respecting Melodic Rock/AOR fans collection, yep it’s that good.

Track Listing
1. Emergency
2. Evangeline
3. Love Is a Fighter
4. Nightingale
5. Never Say Die
6. Heaven Can Wait
7. Angel of Danger
8. High on Love
9. Crowdpleaser
10. Don't Wanna
11. Damaged Goods

Added: January 27th 2022
Reviewer: Malcolm Smith
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 780
Language: english

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