Website
Facebook
Escape Music
by Craig Hartranft, 09.12.2012
Bonrud is the project created by producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Bonrud; Save Tomorrow is his sophomore effort, the first in eight years. He's joined in this session by talented vocalist Rick Forsgren, known for his four octave range.
The abundance of the material on Save Tomorrow is straight Eighties melodic hard rock. The arrangements are well-crafted as one would expect from Bonrud, and extensively feature his lead guitar work. However, it would be incorrect to call this a guitar rock album. Rather, this is a collection of songs, where the principal components are the guitar leads and Forsgren's vocal arrangements. Like any good rock song, most tunes here offer tight melodies and crafty hooks. Be example, you'll hear this on Dominoes, American Dream, or Save Tomorrow. Bonrud definitely has a heavier side, a near metal edge, as on We Collide or Bullet in the Back. But there are also some psuedo-anthems or ballads in Liquid Sun, and maybe You're the One and End of Days.
Generally, however, Save Tomorrow is a rock album, plain and simple. While there's significant variation among the songs, there's also a certain familiarity like you've heard this all before. That certainly doesn't diminish the quality of the album, especially considering the talent involved and well-composed songs. But it is cause for reflection as after several spins I was ready to move on. Nevertheless, lovers of pure Eighties-style melodic hard rock will dig this album. Recommended.
Bonrud's Save Tomorrow is a rock album: lovers of pure Eighties-style melodic hard rock will dig this album.
This experience deserves mention for one very good reason: Finland's One Desire is one of the best classic AOR melodic hard rock bands in the genre and, perhaps, the world, right now So, I also apologize, in ... [ Read More ]