COASTLAND RIDE - On Top Of The World (2011-2012)

thanks to Craig for the review

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Whether it's by purpose or chance, COASTLAND RIDE's name gives you a hint to their musical style. These three Swedes deliver AOR / Melodic Rock in the West Coast tradition.
Coastland Ride was formed in 1997 by three friends and musicians, Markus Nordenberg (lv,bv), Anders Rybank (k,g,b), and Mikael Bohlin (k,g), wanting to record and publish the tunes they've accumulated over the years. The first result was their eponymous debut in 2003, now being re-issued by their new label Avenue of Allies.
Wanting to have at again, it took a little longer to bring their brand new album "On Top Of The World" released in December 2011.

Expect classic AOR / West Coast in the Scandinavian style here: breezy easy melodies, lush vocal arrangements in harmony, catchy hooks and choruses, and brisk guitar work.
That last characteristic truly brightens, even over shadows, this album. Guitar solos were provided by Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) and Leif Eriksson (Winterlong).
Ultimately, Coastland Ride lets the music do the talking.
The easy, nearly weightless, feel of West Coast comes through on "Wait", "On Top Of The World", "Strange Confusion", and the quirky, sometimes funky, "Jericho Falls". For inspiration, a sax rises in the euro AOR of "Second Chance", a very nice touch.
If there's a bit heavier or harder (loosely speaking) here, you might find it on "Made Up My Mind" and the finale "Nail Me To The Cross", whilst opener "Act Of Faith (One Million Reasons)" and the semi-ballad "Sandra" are Melodic Rock oriented.

At the end of the day, on "On Top Of The World" Coastland Ride participants accomplish their goal: providing light Melodious Rock high on harmony, melody, and accessible friendliness.
If you dig the AOR / West Coast sound revisiting the '80s with a Scandinavian touch, you should get on "On Top Of The World" pronto.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Act Of Faith (One Million Reasons)
02 - Wait
03 - On Top Of The World
04 - Second Chance
05 - Made Up My Mind
06 - Sandra
07 - Save You From Yourself
08 - Lodestar
09 - Strange Confusion
10 - Jericho Falls
11 - Nail Me To The Cross


Markus Nordenberg - Lead & background Vocals, add. Keyboards
Anders Rybank - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass & Programming
Mikael Bohlin - Guitars, Keyboards & Programming

Guest musicians:
Sven Larsson (Street Talk, Lionville) - Guitar solos on 1, 2, 5, 7, 11
Leif Eriksson (Winterlong) - Guitar solos on 3, 8, 10
Morgan Östlin - Sax solo on 4
Patrik Norman - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums on 7, 8
Mikael Cederholm, Benka Jansson - Backing Vocals on 5
Maria Ritzen - female Vocals on 10
Mark Woznicki - the Voice on 10




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www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/CoastlandOn.htm