This is Lonerider’s second album, a part time project or full time band? Again it features the vocal talents of FM main man Steve Overland, Free Drummer Simon Kirke, Chris Childs of Thunder, and Steve Morris of Heartland.
This is a very slick sounding, well produced album that carries on where the first album left off. Fantasyland kicks the album off with a great riff, and Steve’s smooth vocals are the highlight, with a seriously catchy chorus. Cross The Border follows and it has a hint of Free, with a very huge southern rock groove going down as well. Undefeatable has that big classic rock feel complete with the big chorus and hook. It’s ballad time next with Harder Love and… well, it’s a ballad. When You Got Nothing feels a bit Bad Co-ish with that dirty riff and chorus. Any Way The Wind Blows closes out Side 1 and it’s a slow country style ballad.
Side 2 starts with Yesterdays News, my favourite track. A very classic British sounding, mid-seventies, rock track with a nice riff and melody. Badlands follows and those southern vibes are really strong here. Great riff and the harmonies are superb. Wild River rides on in, and Nashville is screaming at me with the slide and that country feel. Criminal Minds has a riff that is just different enough to stop Bon Jovi plagiarism shouts going out. Love To Love has that swing and groove that screams Bad Co. Great tune! We close out the record with Long Time Gone, a smooth slick slow tempo brooding piece.
Other than the European AOR anoraks, I’m not sure who this will appeal to as albums don’t get made like this anymore. A very slick, classic sounding album.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
