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LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM
Level Eleven

AOR Heaven (2015)
Rating: 8.5/10

Trawling through these AOR bands can be such a complex procedure and often a difficult task; usually because many bands have such a varied history with members coming and going. It ends up like one big harmonious family tree of intertwining characters and sounds to the point that if one loses sight of a band over the years then it can be a rather arduous task catching back up.

For me, this is certainly the case with Sweden’s Last Autumn’s Dream; a band formed in 2002 and now on its 11th studio album.

The band’s mainman, singer / songwriter Mikael Erlandsson, has been involved in numerous projects over the years – the most notable being Swedish super group Secret Service – as well as releasing four solo albums. Despite Last Autumn’s Dream being well-established for over a decade now, nevertheless, their career hasn’t always gone smoothly with numerous band members leaving – the most recent being the departure in 2014 of German guitarist and co-founder Andy Malacek (Fair Warning).

However, with the upheavals aside – which also included the tragic death of bassist Marcel Jacob (Talisman, W.E.T.) in July 2009 – Last Autumn’s Dream has continued to plough on, churning out some truly wonderful records jam-packed with infectious melodies. Level Eleven is no exception and comes complete with that distinctive vocal gravel and that deft balance of synth-led pomp and chuggier hard rock harmonies.

From the opening ‘Kiss Me’ we’re consumed by those gorgeous vocal rasps, a nifty guitar stomp courtesy of reputable axeman Peter “Pac” Söderström, and a prodding drum. It’s the sort of hard rock one just cannot switch off because while it’s very much layered in the ingredients one would expect from such a genre, those distinctive vocals add that extra meaty texture which is so evidently missing on so many other hard rock records.

‘Kiss Me’ is a driving number that gallops at a mid-tempo trudge, remaining upbeat throughout as the vocals lead it into that feisty chorus. Of course, the sprightly majesty of ‘Follow Your Heart’ is another of those essential ingredients for making an AOR record so sumptuous, and with this delightful jaunt we get that bubblegum, summery clomp steeped in lovely melodies and Mikael Erlandsson’s soulful boost. It’s a nostalgic trip back to the 80s but thankfully lacks that usual predictable layer of extra cheese which tends to bog down so much contemporary hard rock of this ilk.

Erlandsson clearly has his finger on the pulse when it comes to rolling out such heartfelt and nifty hymns, but is also quick to avoid cliché. However, of all the tracks served up it’s the stunning ‘Fight The World’ which provides the most entertainment. It begins as a piano-led ballad which then gives way to a choppy string before Erlandsson’s stark vocal, but as the number develops it becomes something akin to a stirring hair metal ballad meeting something a tad more swirling. The piano is ever-present as a simple plod, but it’s such a moving tune throughout that it’ll be difficult to hold back a tear or two.

There are just so many beautiful melodies encased within this opus that I’ve struggled to pick a favourite. ‘I’ll B There 4 U’ is a straight up summery bop, while ‘Losing You’ adopts another choppy string section, giving the track a feel of such grandiose before we’re unexpectedly trampled by a weighty riff and throbbing organ until the tune suddenly kicks back into a steady plodder.

If you’re thirsty for a harder edge though, then why not check out ‘Go Go Go – Get Ready for the Show’ with its driving intro or the gradual rising of ‘Delirious’? Of course, there are going to be those among you who want things kept more sentimental and you’ll be catered for with another soulful piano ballad in the form of ‘Made Of Stone’ and the closing sways of ‘PLZ’.

With an album that offers so much variety within the AOR arena it’s hard not to be moved by this set of 11 wondrous creations, and with such excellent, emotive structures coated by that distinctive voice Level Eleven is another breathtaking soiree of sweet melody and jubilant guitar strains. A real must-have for fans of harmonious hard rock.

Neil Arnold

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