HEARTBREAK RADIO - On Air +4 [Japanese Edition] (2013)

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HEARTBREAK RADIO is a Swedish / Scandinavian AOR project started in 2004 with the participation of Tommy Denander, Mikael Erlandsson and others, releasing an enjoyable self-titled debut the next year.
Organise the next effort took several years but now, entitled "On Air", the second CD is ready to be released on February 22, although the Japanese version featuring 4 bonus tracks is now available.

Heartbreak Radio is conducted by songwriters, musicians and producers Claes Andreasson (Last Autumn's Dream) and Johan Axelsson, who also plays the keyboards & synths and contribute backing vocals.
The project line-up of today consists of Mats Johanson (soloist guitar on Asia's Aqua album), Berra Holmgren (of Ace Of Base, on bass), Peter Strandberg on drums (Jeff Scott Soto band) alongside Axelsson himself on keys and a selected horn section.
Erlandsson was asked to provide vocals once again but this time the cream on the Swedish scene performs leads on different tracks: Jim Jidhed (Alien), Pierre Weinsberg (Elevener, Denander's Radioactive) and two other Swedish super-vocal talents, Henrik Baath (Dark Water) and solo artist Martin Gabriel.

Heartbreak Radio is focused on '80s L.A. AOR with the typical FM rock approach of these golden years, complete with soaring melodies, catchy rhythms and breezy sounds akin TOTO, Ambrosia, Kenny Loggins or Airplay to name some.
As examples; "You Are Love" is a mid tempo AOR monster with a killer bridge that instantly brings to mind aural images of Airplay or David Roberts, with a velveteen hook to boot.
Songs like "Angeline" featuring Erlandsson on vocals recall Toto circa their Joseph Williams era, whilst "My Heart’s Just Missing You" is prime L.A. West Coast AOR that will delight fans of this musical style.

But the band also rocks in the early eighties Journey vein with ripping cuts like "Love On Fire" and "Live Out Of Love": these two numbers alone could have sold out arenas once upon a time, with the latter revolving around a nifty guitar motif that would make Neal Schon proud.
One of the highlights though, is the ballad that closes out the regular release: "You Don’t Love Me Anymore". It features the surprisingly rich and fully measured vocal work by Henrik Baath of Swedish prog metal band Dark Water. Certainly not a name you’d expect on an album like this and he shines here, one of the most elaborated tracks of the entire disc.

As said, "On Air" will be released next Feb. 22 in Europe, but if you are anxious you can get the Japanese version right now featuring 4 bonuses: the jumpin' and breezy AOR tune "MLI", plus three remixed versions of Heartbreak Radio's debut.
Fans of old school, classic '80s AOR with a touch of L.A. Westcoast in the slower numbers rejoice: "On Air" is a delicious piece of work with excellent songwriting, smooth instrumentation, great vocal performances and superb polished production.
A mandatory listen for any fan of these genres.


01. Love On Fire
02. Angelina
03. You Are Love
04. Turn On Love
05. I Will Love You
06. Live Out Of Love
07. All Over The World
08. My Heart's Just Missing You
09. Keep Kickin' It Back Again
10. You Don't Love Me Anymore
11. MLI (Japanese bonus track)
12. Hard Rock City (Japanese bonus track)
13. Let Me Have Your Heart Again (Japanese bonus track)
14. Knockin' On Hells Door (Japanese bonus track)

Lead Vocals:
Jim Jidhed (ALIEN)
Mikael Erlandsson (LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM)
Pierre Weinsberg (ELEVENER, RADIOACTIVE)
Henrik Baath (DARK WATER)
Martin Gabriel (solo)

Drums: Peter Strandberg (Jeff Scott Soto band)
Bass: Berra Holmgren
Guitars: Mats Johanson (Asia)
Keyboards: Johan Axelsson
Horns: Albin Grahn, Arvid Ingberg, Martin Svanström
Backing Vocals: Emelie Axelsson, Ulrik Arturén, Mikael Erlandsson, Claes Andreasson, Johan Axelsson, Per Wockatz, Pierre Wensberg



BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=MICP-11082
Pre-Order Euro release;
www.amazon.co.uk/On-Air-Heartbreak-Radio/dp/B00AZBCI4U

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM - Ten Tangerine Tales [Japan release] (2013)

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As usual, Swedes LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM release their new albums first in Asia, around Christmas time.
That's the case again with the band's tenth CD "Ten Tangerine Tales", which will be available in Europe on January 25, 2013.

Singer and songwriter Mikael Erlandsson is a real workaholic. Recently he released an album with his new band 'Lover Under Cover' and was also involved in some other productions where he was doing guest vocals (for example Sapphire Eyes).
Hi has written the half of the songs this time with the help of outside songwriters, while the rest were penned by talented drummer Jamie Borger.

As on the previous album, "Ten Tangerine Tales" shows Last Autumn's Dream definitely turned Melodic Rock.
There's a couple of Melodic Hard tracks like the excellent "New York Rain" (one of the highlights) and "It's Magic", but the rest of the material is pure Scandi Melodic oriented.
Really solid tracks in "Pickin' Up The Pieces", "Lie To My Heart", the soaring "My Final Love Song" and the AOR ballad "When I Found You" (love this one).
They are looking fo some new sonic explorations adding cellos in "Preludium - The Man I Used To Be", but just for the embellishment of the arrangements, as this is a pure melodious track.

Last Autumn's Dream never fails delivering quality Melodic Rock, and "Ten Tangerine Tales" is not the exception.
This band knows how to write pleasant melodies and execute them with class and top musicianship. Production is warm and brilliant, even better than the in precedent album.
If you can't wait for the Euro release, I recommend you to pick the Korean version than the Japanese because is cheaper and also includes the exclusive Asian bonus track "Rebel Rouser", a good The Sweet cover song.
"Ten Tangerine Tales" = Satisfaction Guaranteed.


01. Ten Tangerine Tales
02. Pickin' Up The Pieces
03. 2nd Look
04. For You
05. Preludium - The Man I Used To Be
06. I Will See You Thru
07. When I Found You
08. Lie To My Heart
09. New York Rain
10. It's Magic
11. Rebel Rouser (Japanese Bonus Track)
12. My Final Love Song

Mikael Erlandsson - lead and backing vocals, keyboards
Andy Malecek - lead guitar
Jamie Borger - drums, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Nalley Pahlsson - bass, backing vocals

Peter Pac Saderstrom - rhythm & additional guitars
Ulf Wahlberg - additional keyboards
Fred Lindberg - cello on 5, 8



BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=MICP-11070
www.yesasia.com/us/last-autumns-dream-ten-tangerine-tales-korea-version/1032178680-0-0-0-en/info.html

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM - Nine Lives [Japanese Retail] (2012)

Retail HQ

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM does not stop. Their new album "Nine Lives", just released in Japan, is scheduled to be released in Europe on January 20th, 2012.

Following their very good last album 'Yes' released a few months ago, these Swedes seems to have an endless inspiration and creativity.
And the good thing is that "Nine Lives" maintains the high level of quality of its predecessor.
Perhaps even more melodic sonically, "Nine Lives" surely will stand on top amongst the wish lists of every Melodic Rock / AOR fan this year 2012.


Seems the European release has been delayed, so you, impatient melodic rocker, go and get the Japanese CD edition including the usual bonus track.
It's not cheap, but worth every penny.
Highly Recommended.


01 - In A Perfect World
02 - Nine Lives
03 - Is This Just Another Heartache
04 - Merry-Go-Round
05 - Golden Cage
06 - All I Can Think Of
07 - Megalomania
08 - The Last To Know
09 - Angel Eyes
10 - We Never Said Goodbye
11 - Waited A Long Time (Japan bonus track)
12 - Don't Let Love Fade Away


Mikael Erlandsson - Vocals and keyboards
Andy Malecek - Guitar
Jamie Borger − Drums
Nalle Pahlsson − Bass
Jeff Scott Soto − Guest Vocals
Jenny Redenkvist − Guest Vocals



BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=MICP-11030

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM - Nine Lives (2012)

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM does not stop. Their new album "Nine Lives", just released in Japan, is scheduled to be released in Europe on January 20th, 2012.

Following their very good last album 'Yes' released a few months ago, these Swedes seems to have an endless inspiration and creativity.
And the good thing is that "Nine Lives" maintains the high level of quality of its predecessor.
Perhaps even more melodic sonically, "Nine Lives" surely will stand on top amongst the wish lists of every Melodic Rock / AOR fan this year 2012.


Seems the European release has been delayed, so you, impatient melodic rocker, go and get the Japanese CD edition including the usual bonus track. It's not cheap, but worth every penny.
Highly Recommended.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - In A Perfect World
02 - Nine Lives
03 - Is This Just Another Heartache
04 - Merry-Go-Round
05 - Golden Cage
06 - All I Can Think Of
07 - Megalomania
08 - The Last To Know
09 - Angel Eyes
10 - We Never Said Goodbye
11 - Waited A Long Time (Japan bonus track)
12 - Don't Let Love Fade Away


Mikael Erlandsson - Vocals and keyboards
Andy Malecek - Guitar
Jamie Borger − Drums
Nalle Pahlsson − Bass



BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=MICP-11030

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LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM - Yes (2011)

Japan release


Swedish/German AOR/Rock band LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM is back with YES, a new album just issued in Japan, due to Europe and the rest of the world on January 21.
These guys can't have any sparetime because it's not long ago (earlier this year) their previous album 'A Touch Of Heaven' was released and now they already have a brand new album out.
Since LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM (like a lot of bands of this genre) don't tour, or tour very little, and many have own recording studios, they focus all their energy in the songwriting department and recording.

But a few get such good results as LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM.
This band surpasses themselves with each album, and this isn't the exception.
This time they have provided a selection of extremely melodic (more than ever), dreamy tunes that definitely reinforce their reputations.
Yes, "YES" is that good.

This japanese version opens with "I've Fallen Into You", a guitar driven rocker, with a lot of feel and a good chorus, but they have done better before.
The only piano start of "The Sound Of A Heartbreak" provide a false start, because the song develops into a mysterious uptempo rock with a persistent sound effect which gives the track a unique sensation. Perhaps the most 'elaborated' track of the album. Very Good.
But the 'real' GREAT stuff of this album begins with "Another Night". This is just a perfect tune, just... perfect.
From the smooth, sweet, toneful performance by Erlandsson to the warm, colorful arrangements and clever production (just check the drum mix, subtle in the background but carrying the pace of the song) this mid-tempo ballad is a gem. A future classic? Surely YES!
Next, "Fool's Game". Yes, it's a cover of the classic song appeared in Michael Bolton's '83 debut. Originally a rocker, LAD has painted the song with a poppy-AOR palette, and the result is just marvelous.

"If I Could Change The World" is the first real ballad with awesome vocal harmonies and a bluesy heart (specially the guitars), but with the classic LAD style. Inspired by Queen? YES. Fantastic!
"To Be With You" ups the tempo into a classy european melodic rock with a catchy chorus, this kind of songs that LAD do so well. Excellent guitar solo on this one.
I love "Michelle Don't Live Here No More". Just love this style of songs. Acoustically filled, simple and generic, but lovely.
"In This Thing Too Deep" remembers me the earlier work by this band, a rocker with a strong rhythm and a powerful pre-chorus/main chorus. Melodic and effective.
"Still Standin' Where Ya Left Me" has a fat guitar and a very nice structure, maybe lacks the presence of a more strong chorus, but it's so melodic (like the whole album) that you'll love it.

And now... the best track of all: "Kissin' Goodbye My Tears". YES, the Jeff Paris/Moon Calhoun song from the 'Moon Over Paris' demos. This tune is a cracker, a pure AOR gem very very well performed by Last Autumn's Dream. Damn, I love those keyboards!
"Survivor" has the spirit of the mid-eighties european metal bands, but obviously over-washed to fit LAD standards. This one might sound weak but just give it a couple of listens and the track grabs you.
I am not completely convinced with the japanese bonus track "I Forgive You", not bad, but to my ears sounds like a second hand TNT track.
Last song, the ballad "Alive", has a deep bass line (Nally Pahlsson has done a remarkable job on this recording) and a moody, sad feel. Discover yourself why. Beautiful song.

"YES" is the best disc by LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM. Period.
This album will rank higher between next year's best.
Dedicated to the memory of Marcel Jacob.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


01 - I've Fallen Into You
02 - The Sound Of A Heartbreak
03 - Another Night
04 - Fool's Game
05 - If I Could Change The World
06 - To Be With You
07 - Michelle Don't Live Here No More
08 - In This Thing Too Deep
09 - Still Standin' Where Ya Left Me
10 - Kissin' Goodbye My Tears
11 - Survivor
12 - I Forgive You (Japan bonus track)
13 - Alive


MIKAEL ERLANDSSON - Vocals
ANDY MALECEK - Guitars
JAMIE BORGER - Drums
NALLY PAHLSSON - Bass



IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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