COASTLAND RIDE - Coastland Ride +3 (2011-2012)

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Swedes COASTLAND RIDE, having signed with label Avenue Of Allies to release their recent second album On Top Of The World, have also re-issued at the very end of 2011 (December 19) their self titled debut album - which was originally put out by AORHeaven in 2003 - remastered and with bonus tracks.

Mixing rockin' AOR with the pure sound of Westcoast and more than hint of straight ahead Euro radio-rock music, Coastland Ride is an album crammed with hooks and sing along choruses that brings back memories of the great '80s.
With the pairing of Anders Rybank and Mikael Bohlin sharing guitar, keyboards and programming duties, the trio is completed by singer Markus Nordenberg, whose voice sits somewhere between the clarity of Bobby Kimball, the gruff charm of Treat's vocalist Robert Ernlund and the power of Grand Illusion pairing Peter Sundell and Per Svensson.

Surprisingly for a band who operate in a bright, breezy area of music, the lyrics from Coastland Ride can at times be of a serious and insightful nature, with "On The Path Of Greed", "The World Is Not Enough" and "Second Hand America" all making interesting comments on the world we live in.
The vocal delivery ensures that the weighty subject matter never sounds out of place alongside the upbeat and sunny disposition of the music.
"Let Me Let You Go" and "Sleepless" are excellent bursts of AOR, with the former being the more in your face variety while the latter is a poised and refined slower number.

Other hightlights on the album are the Talk Of The Town sounding AOR / Pop-rocker "On The Path Of Greed", the catchy melodic rock "Eyes" and the cool "Never The Same", featuring a Chicago feel over it with great harmony vocals and vintage keyboards.
"Heart To The Flame" is with the opening track one the best songs of the album. This is a pure AOR / Westcoast rocker with brilliant hooklines and a catchy chorus with powerful background vocals.
The "+3" referred to in the album title arrive in the shape of three bonus tracks from the original sessions, which follow in the same vein as the album itself, although the slightly darker atmosphere they bring does actually offer an interesting change of focus to this release.


Coastland Ride's debut originally didn’t reach a big audience due a poor promotion / distribution.
Hope this remastered re-issue finally do the justice that truly deserves, as it's a wonderful slice of melodious, elegant and refined Euro AOR in the vein of Talk Of The Tawn, T'Bell, Tommy Denander's Radioactive and Spin Gallery.
In addition to a significantly improved sound, the CD also includes three bonus tracks in the form of the unreleased songs "Jenny’s Heart", "The World Is Not Enough" and "Pitch Black Ride", all from the original recording sessions.
Fans of the lighter end of AOR and the 'Swedish sound' should get this one pronto.
Highly Recommended.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrockz


01 - Let Me Let You Go
02 - On The Path Of Greed
03 - The Angels Must Missed A Turn
04 - Never The Same
05 - Second Hand America
06 - Hearts Of The Flame
07 - Believe In Me
08 - Eyes
09 - Sleepless
10 - Jenny's Heart (bonus track)
11 - The World Is Not Enough (bonus track)
12 - Pitch Black Ride (bonus track)

Markus Nordenberg - Lead & Background Vocals
Anders Rybank - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Programming
Mikael Bohlin - Guitars, keyboards, Programming
Per Stenvall - Guitar solo on “Believe in Me”
Anders Ringman - Guitar solo on “Eyes”
Tomas Coox - Rhodes piano on “Eyes”
Benka Jansson & Mikael Cederholm - Backing Vocals



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hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=468970

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COASTLAND RIDE - On Top Of The World (2011-2012)

thanks to Craig for the review

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Whether it's by purpose or chance, COASTLAND RIDE's name gives you a hint to their musical style. These three Swedes deliver AOR / Melodic Rock in the West Coast tradition.
Coastland Ride was formed in 1997 by three friends and musicians, Markus Nordenberg (lv,bv), Anders Rybank (k,g,b), and Mikael Bohlin (k,g), wanting to record and publish the tunes they've accumulated over the years. The first result was their eponymous debut in 2003, now being re-issued by their new label Avenue of Allies.
Wanting to have at again, it took a little longer to bring their brand new album "On Top Of The World" released in December 2011.

Expect classic AOR / West Coast in the Scandinavian style here: breezy easy melodies, lush vocal arrangements in harmony, catchy hooks and choruses, and brisk guitar work.
That last characteristic truly brightens, even over shadows, this album. Guitar solos were provided by Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) and Leif Eriksson (Winterlong).
Ultimately, Coastland Ride lets the music do the talking.
The easy, nearly weightless, feel of West Coast comes through on "Wait", "On Top Of The World", "Strange Confusion", and the quirky, sometimes funky, "Jericho Falls". For inspiration, a sax rises in the euro AOR of "Second Chance", a very nice touch.
If there's a bit heavier or harder (loosely speaking) here, you might find it on "Made Up My Mind" and the finale "Nail Me To The Cross", whilst opener "Act Of Faith (One Million Reasons)" and the semi-ballad "Sandra" are Melodic Rock oriented.

At the end of the day, on "On Top Of The World" Coastland Ride participants accomplish their goal: providing light Melodious Rock high on harmony, melody, and accessible friendliness.
If you dig the AOR / West Coast sound revisiting the '80s with a Scandinavian touch, you should get on "On Top Of The World" pronto.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Act Of Faith (One Million Reasons)
02 - Wait
03 - On Top Of The World
04 - Second Chance
05 - Made Up My Mind
06 - Sandra
07 - Save You From Yourself
08 - Lodestar
09 - Strange Confusion
10 - Jericho Falls
11 - Nail Me To The Cross


Markus Nordenberg - Lead & background Vocals, add. Keyboards
Anders Rybank - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass & Programming
Mikael Bohlin - Guitars, Keyboards & Programming

Guest musicians:
Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) - Guitar solos on 1, 2, 5, 7, 11
Leif Eriksson (Winterlong) - Guitar solos on 3, 8, 10
Morgan Östlin - Sax solo on 4
Patrik Norman - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums on 7, 8
Mikael Cederholm, Benka Jansson - Backing Vocals on 5
Maria Ritzen - female Vocals on 10
Mark Woznicki - the Voice on 10




BUY IT !
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/CoastlandOn.htm

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