Grand Illusion - Ordinary Just Won't Do


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Marquee / Avalon / Escape Music
Catalog Number: MICP10451 / ESM103
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:12:00

Ordinary Just Won't Do is the fourth studio album by the Swedish band Grand Illusion and presents an up-tempo mix of catchy, melodic hard rock and AOR. With no less then two lead vocalists, Peter Sundell and Per Svensson, the vocals achievements of this band are simply amazing. The guitar arrangements are also expanded, as second guitarist Ola Af Trampe joined the band with this release and together with Anders Rydholm, who also plays bass and keyboards, they provide excellent guitar layers for the songs, and tasteful solos. Drummer Christian Sundell is the man who keeps this train running at steady, but fast pace.

The sound is a mixture of classic 80s bands and opener "Devil's Advocate" immediately radiates the energy of the band and here you notice you are dealing with first class musicians, who know their trade. Next to the heavy parts, they also include some typical 80s ballads, such as "Heaven Or Hell", but the excellent guitar work tastes so good, you won't care whether it's 80s, 90s or 2000 stuff ? it is just good music.

The lead vocals are powerful, but always a bit close to screaming. Still, Peter and Per complement each other nicely and technically they are very good. One of my favourite songs is "New Beginning," because it has such a catchy rhythm!

Ordinary Just Won't Do is a title that sets the bar pretty high and unfortunately Grand Illusion does not live up to this title, as the music does not bring anything new. It is a good album and really nice to listen to, but nothing more than that.

[This review originally appeared August 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Devil's Advocate / The Best Is Yet To Come / Gone For Good / Heaven Or Hell / New Beginning / 1982 / Pull You Down / Love Lies Buried / Back To Yesterday / And This Is Why / When You Were Mine / On Time

Musicians:
Peter Sundell - vocals
Per Svensson - vocals
Ola Af Trampe - guitars
Anders Rydholm - guitars, bass, keys
Christian Sundell ? drums

Discography:
The Book Of How To Make It (2000)
View From The Top (2000)
In The Beginning (2001)
Ordinary Just Won't Do (2004)

Genre: Melodic Rock-AOR

Origin SE

Added: November 28th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.godispascen.se/gi/
Hits: 2125
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]