GRAND ILLUSION around Anders Rydholm (guitar) and Peter Sundell (vocals) have been one of the best Swedish AOR and Melodic Rock outfits untill they called it a day some years ago. The sixth and final studio slbum “Prince Of Paupers” from 2011 is highly valued within the melodic community as one of best AOR / MR albums ever made.
“Prince Of Paupers +1” has been reissued on CD at the very end of 2023 in the new Pride & Joy Music Classixx series (limited to 500 copies) including a bonus track. Very mature and sophisticated songwriting meets exciting and versatile arrangements as well as the impressive range of Sundell’s voice which highlights the strong hooklines.
Add to that all guitar solos have been recorded by the likes of Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon, Tim Pierce, Robert Säll – and you have a winner here.
A MUST HAVE indeed.
Mastermind guitarist / bassist / keyboard player Anders Rydholm dropped here some of his finest AOR / Melodic Rock songwriting, but also top musicians for the recording, including Gregg Bisonette (David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani) to handle all drums and brilliant guitar maestro Tim Pierce to record most of the guitar parts. But also the stellar presence of Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon, and more as guests.
“Prince Of Paupers” is a 2YK little masterpiece in this genre. Both original vocalists Peter Sundell and Per Svensson are also fully involved in the band again, and some terrific Scandinavian musicians as well.
The AOR bliss that Grand Illusion were renowned for is still strongly in evidence, blended with and updated melodic rock sound.
The opening pair of “Gates Of Fire” and “Better Believe It” have choruses that must rate as the catchiest I’ve heard in a decade, with Rydholm’s smooth guitar and keyboard work making both of these songs essential AOR treats. The guitar solo by Jay Graydon on the latter is oustanding.
Next, title track “Prince Of Paupers” is a harder affair, a melodic rocker that would have fitted perfectly on The Sign’s debut album, with a great riff sparring with some glorious keyboard work. The tougher approach allows the vocal duo to really stretch out and they rise to the occasion with a huge amount of style and power.
The beautifully poised ballad “So Faraway” brings the pace right back down, however it does so without losing any momentum. This is one, if not the best, most engaging mid-tempo AOR tunes from the band, crowned with a magnificent guitar solo by the unique Steve Lukather.
“St. Teresa’s Love” is a very classy AOR with a on-the-air sound and wonderful vocal harmonies, before we are back in fist pumping territory through the joyous “Through This War”.
At this stage, there’s no doubt this album is a winner, and “Eyes Of Ice” keeps up the stupendously high strike rate, with a slightly bluesier feel that tempers the high octane AOR and straight ahead rockers perfectly.
“Gone” is a modern new century AOR with a bright riff and solo by Tim Pierce, while on “Believe In Miracles” the band gives some variation adding acoustic guitars and percussion to this beautiful classy ballad.
“On And On” gets the album back into top gear with Bissonette stamping his authority on the song, as he works his way round the kit for a ranging beat that leads into another tremendous chorus.
Sundell and Svensson lock together again during the rockin’ “Under The Wire” where some of the notes reached are impressively high, especially when you consider how in control the voices are. Great guitar work by Muris Varajic here.
“Winds Of Change” rounds out the regualar album release in fine style, a melodic tune mostly filled with
acoustic guitars, pianos and vocals (layers of great vocals), before the whole band come together for a fantastic, emotional crescendo.
Bonus “Not For Sale” is a terrific pumping melodic rock song driven by a killer riff, an anthemic chorus, and top guitar solo. Scandi MHR at its best.
You can take my word that “Prince Of Paupers” is one of the highlights from the last 25 years in AOR / Melodic Rock.
Alternating between guitar driven melodic rock and pure AOR, Grand Illusion have a knack of creating memorable tunes with their own distinct sound and rarely fall into the cliché trap, managing to come across as instantly appealing and familiar without really sounding like anyone in this genre these days.
There are some choruses here that you won’t be able to shake off, each accompanied with inventive guitar riffs, soaring vocal harmonies and short staccato bursts of melody. Sundell and Svensson still possess stunning voices that when combined become simply irresistible, with the layered backing vocals and harmonies being amongst the best you will hear anywhere. Production is sharp and crisp, all awesomely recorded & mixed.
Grand Illusion is one of the best AOR / MR bands out there, and “Prince Of Paupers” confirms this status with a golden medal.
A MUST HAVE
01 – Gates Of Fire
02 – Better Believe It
03 – Prince Of Paupers
04 – So Far Away
05 – St. Teresa’s Love
06 – Through This War
07 – Eyes Of Ice
08 – Gone
09 – Believe In Miracles
10 – On And On
11 – Under The Wire
12 – Winds Of Change
13 – Not For Sale (Bonus Track)
Anders Rydholm – keyboards, bass, guitars, songwriting
Peter Sundell – lead and background vocals
Per Svensson – lead and background vocals
with:
Gregg Bissonette – drums
Steve Lukather – guitar solo on 4
Jay Graydon – guitar solo on 2
Tim Pierce – rhythm guitars & solos on 5, 6, 8, 9,10, 12
Muris Varajic – guitar solo on 1, 3, 7, 9, 11
Robert Säll – guitar solo on 13
Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangements and synths on 1
Kjell Klaesson – acoustic guitar on 9
Staffan Stavert – keyboards on 10, 13
GRAND ILLUSION – Prince Of Paupers +1 [Pride & Joy Music Classixx 2023] , MP3+FLAC, FAKE
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