Customer Reviews

On the Rise

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow! this one bursts out of the speakers like a full blown AOR bomb, detonated by the Norwegian duo of Terje Eide and Bennech Lyngboe. A 14-track debut CD, no less than 12 songs here are of such high quality they are surely already in the running for "Song of the year". Whether it's the opener "Beat of your heart" or second track "Lift you up" every song is ear candy. Let me tell you right away that I have already found my own personal "song of the year" entitled "Running in the night"; a mix of razor sharp guitars propelling the vocals via the bridge along a groove that explodes in the firework display of the chorus. This is an exceptional track of GIANT-like proportions in all senses of the word - sensational! To dwell on the high spots of this release would be an almost pointless exercise, since all the tracks captivate equally, built as they are around a common theme; huge refrains, cool keyboard parts and infectious meaty guitar riffs. And even though On the Rise have come up with an album chock full of catchy melodies, the songs are stirring and thrilling. I should just mention the last song. "The moment" is a stunning ballad, sung with so much emotion that it literally tears at the heartstrings. If the album has one small shortcoming then it lies in the production but this won't stop On the Rise from landing the honours close to the top in the "Best album of 2003" category ! An album that is pure aural pleasure for every Giant and Nelson fan or indeed anyone even remotely into melodic rock - a must !

I really love this album. These guys have all the characteristics of Toto - right from the outstanding production techniques through to the great guitar sounds and the sweet layered backing vocals. The songs are really well-written and the album is as close to flawless as you can get without listening to a Toto record! It's a shame this band is no longer together because I would have loved to hear more from them. If you want to hear great melodic rock then give this a spin!

"On the Rise" reminds me of some classic rock we're used to here in the States. Terje is really sweet as well.

This album stands right up there with any melodic rock release of the past few years. The melodies of the songs are perfectly crafted, and the album is catchy through and through. I would have to say that these guys sound more like Nelson than anyone else, but there are all kinds of melodic rock influences here, including Giant, Survivor, and other similar artists. No "modern rock" edges here, but just straight ahead, vintage melodic pop/rock.

I actually rate this album about 4 3/4 stars; I would give it a full 5 stars if it rocked a little harder. Still, you can't go wrong with these songs right from the start, with the catchy opener "Beat Of My Heart", and its follow up track "Lift You Up". The first true ballad of the album is at track 4 with "Momories Forever", and an even better ballad comes at track 8, with the very pretty "Keep Our Love Alive". Still, listen to the pure rocking guitars on the track after that, "Stay Away". While this album is 14 tracks long, it still keeps your attention throughout, as the tracks are all catchy and/or pretty, perfectly melodic, and all unique in their own right...right up to the moody last track "The Moment".

This album is very much worth a listen. Highly recommended for Nelson fans, but also for a variety of late 1980's melodic rock fans.