Album review: LANDFALL – Elevate

Frontiers [Release date 9.12.22]

Much more assured second album from Landfall, the Brazilian band led by Eric Martin soundalike, Gui Oliver.

And boy does it sound good, graced with melodic, tightly constructed songs, great playing, a lean, taut production, no loose ends and a warm, valve driven ambience.

Gui (Mayank) Oliver’s voice is singularly engaging. It adds a bluesy tone to what once would have been called commercial mainstream rock. Look no further than opener ‘Never Surrender’ and the title track, ‘Elevate’. Each needs power and heft to work, and they get it.

‘Waterfall’ and ‘Rescue Me’ are angular, passionate rock songs. Both are a mix of Blue Tears, Journey and Mr Big. All the melodic, radio friendly elements are there, crafted with care, sturdily assembled.

Built to entertain, designed to last, ‘Two Strangers’ and ‘Heroes Are Forever’ have all the emotional urgency of great AOR. Each is a winning blend of sophistication and pumped up production values, with hooks that raise the heartrate for as long as we can take it.

Along with Oliver, the band is: guitarist Marcelo Gelbcke, bassman Thiago Forbecci and drummer Felipe Souzza. All the pieces fit.

But by the time we reach ‘Feels Like Summer’ and ‘Shadow Of Love’, it seems like they may have run out of track and direction, only to witness them confidently pulling back into the middle of the melodic rock road with ‘The Wind”, an elusive, shape shifting ballad, never settling into a identifiable style. It’s hard to get to grips with at first, but becomes most enjoyable after a few open minded get togethers. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)