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Line-up:
Chris
Ousey - Vocals
Steve Morris - Guitar & Keyboards
Rasmus Dueldahl - Drums
Mathias Gregerson - Bass
Bjarne T. Holm - Drums on Track 5
Release Date:
11
April 2005
Tracklist:
1.
Hard Hearted Man
2. City Of Lights
3. Take Me Alive
4. How Was I To Know
5. I’m
Getting Ready
6. Hell Or High Water
7. Too Sad To Cry
8. Remember Me?
9. Redemption (Instrumental)
10. Where Do We Go From Here?
11. One Fine Day
12. Rotate (Bonus Track)
Read
also:
Interview
with Steve Morris
Website:
Heartland
Official Fan Site Check
also:
Surprise Of April 2005
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Almost
two years after their very good “Communication Down”, hard rockers
Heartland are back with a new album. The guys begun as an AOR act but
finally became a hard rock band without loosing their AOR elements or
their catchy vocal lines. The case here with “Move On” is simple.
Heartland has released, according to my opinion, their best album to
date. On the other hand, I do not like to hear some fans complaining
that Heartland is not an AOR band anymore so, the album is not that
good. What can I reply to that? Heartland is not and AOR band but this
album is first-class! Do not confuse things! There are no fillers on
this album an every song is at least very good. The album was produced
by vocalist Chris Ousey and guitarist Steve Morris and was mixed by
the famous producer Tommy Hansen in Denmark. The production is
flawless and crystal clear.
It’s
really hard for me to separate some songs of the album ‘cause every
tune here is very well written and well produced, but I’ll do my
best. The album opens with the terrific hard rocker “Hard Hearted
Man” and the band sets things straight from the very start… this
“journey” will be a “hard” one! Incredible rocker with a very
nice melodic chorus. “City Of Lights” continues in the same hard
rock style and Chris’s vocals are just fantastic… and what a great
hookline on the chorus! Another winner of the album. “Take Me Alive”
is a nice bluesy-rock song in the vein of Thunder. “How Was I To
Know” is a fantastic semi-ballad with acoustic and electric guitars
and a very smooth verse. The chorus has an excellent hookline and the
backing vocals are giving a more dramatic tone to the song. “I’m
Getting Ready” is one of my favorite songs of the album. A mid-tempo
melodious hard rocker, which has some very strong hooklines and some
excellent polyphonic vocals ala Grand Illusion. “Hell Or High Water”
is a wonderful semi-acoustic, mid-tempo, smooth rocker. I love
Steve’s guitars on this song and Chris’ performance. Time to rock
again with “Too Sad To Cry”. Classic hard rock song, which will
remind you of Heartland’s previous works. “Remember Me” is a
powerful hard rocker, with heavy guitars and an excellent performance
from Chris. “Redemption” is an instrumental tune, which has an
acoustic base and some very nice solos from Steve. A good break before
the end. “Where Do We Go From Here” is superb hard rock song with
a big chorus that you are going to love. This song is just perfect for
rock clubs and live shows. Another highlight on the album. “One Fine
Day” is a mid-tempo moody rocker, which has some amazing background
vocals on the chorus and very good piano tunes. Chris once again sings
with great passion! I like very much this song. “Rotate” is a
bonus funky-rock track which fits well on the album.
Heartland
really made a big step here. They managed to release, if not the best,
one of the best albums of their carrier without loosing their sense of
melody. To be honest I believe that this album has some of the best
hooklines that the band has ever written! They sound fresh, heavy and
melodic at the same time! Chris and Steve worked very well together
and the outcome is just excellent. If you consider yourself a fan of
the band or a hard rock fan, then do not miss one of the best albums
of 2005.
by Thanos Aggelakis 9/10
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