OVERLAND - review added 9th October 2009
Album Review: Diamond Dealer (2009)
For fans of: Soft Rock... and creamy vocals
Steve Overland, singer with the UK's answer to Bon Jovi - FM, has a stunning, very recognizable voice. Live he is one of the best singers I've heard. On record he sounds like a chilled, Anglicised version of Michael Bolton. There's a wonderful soulful edge to his voice that could melt the heart of a boisterous ogre.
With Diamond Dealer, he returns for a swift follow-up to his 2008 'Overland' release Break Away. Backing him up is Tor Talle (lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards), Martin Kronlund (rhythm guitars), Henrik Thomsen (bass), Imre Daun (drums), Egil Orvedal (keyboards and piano). The album was produced and mixed by Martin Kronlund, and written by Steve and Tor.
The sound is a continuation of the last album. Steve's voice dominates the release in a big way, as it does on most music he puts his dulcet tones to. The musicianship is perfectly agreeable too. It's all very straight down the middle, but there's a few twiddly guitar solos and drum flourishes to lift the bar several notches.
It's when you get to the compositions that the album theoretically stumbles - but only from a certain point of view. Be in no doubt, this is lightweight stuff. Think Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, lighter Toto and, again, Michael Bolton and you'll be there. If you expect the harder rocking forays of FM you'll be sorely disappointed. There isn't a single second of any song that I dislike...but for a lot of people it's going to be way too likeable for it's own good.
I normally demand a bit of fire and provocation in an album, even a 'rocking' but feel good release like this. Diamond Dealer trades passion and punches for flowers and massages. It soothes your brow but it's never going to encourage you to get your leg over. It ultimately doesn't matter though. The result is so damned good you can forgive the lack of fireworks.
Steve Overland has excelled himself here, but perhaps not in a direction everybody is going to love. The music on Diamond Dealer deserves airplay on every easy-listening radio across the globe. The songs are beautifully composed, but composed in way that will alienate a lot of the hard rock audience. If you loved his last album this'll be right up your street. If you don't dig his sensual tone, you aren't going to get this at all.
Check out... The last song, 'Coming Home'. Journey anyone?
Track List:
1. Train, Train
2. You Lift me up
3. Where is The Love
4. Brave New World
5. Roll Back The Years
6. City Of Dreams
7. I 'm Still Breathing
8. Rise
9. Hearts Don't Lie
10. After the Storm
11. Bring Me Water
12. Coming Home
Label: Escape Music
Artist's website(s): Overland
