On disc: Grand Design

 
 Time Elevation
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Idolizer
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Idolizer

(AOR Heaven - 2011)



 
 

 

If you wait for another Hysteria or Pyromania album from Def Leppard and don't get into their latest work, then check out Grand Design's Idolizer. The Swedish already showed their love for the Sheffield boys on their debut Time Elevation, but even if they didn't changed, this time the album is better balanced. They still have the big choirs and the 80's sound, but managed to dust off the old-fashioned sound without betraying their main influence. A song like Stealin' My Love documents that very well. At the debut I criticized them, coz it seemed that they tried to create something new and showed too much of their Def Leppard influence, this time it's almost like they play some unreleased Def Leppard songs! It would be interesting to know what Joe Elliott and his mates think about Idolizer... Fans of Def Leppard's 80's albums, will dig Idolizer. If you like 80's sounds in general, just check out 2-3 songs and see, if Grand Design will please you. Nothing new, but they revive the sound of the band they idolize very well.

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Time Elevation

(Metal Heaven - 2009)



 
 

 

With Time Elevation the Swedish band Grand Design is showing a first sign of life. Singer Pelle Saether and his mates wanted some pure 80's hard rock sound with a lot Def Leppard-like backing vocals. And that's exactly what they present with the opener Love Sensation. Everybody who frequently listens to Pyromania or Hysteria, gets some real treat. The Swedish slowly kick off Slugged Out, but then they speed up. Next in line is Air It Out which also begins slowly, quite similar to Slugged Out, but choose a different path. They stick to the authentic 80's sound, but vary a bit. This one has a slight melancholy touch while the chorus has something positive to it. The songs are well performed, but not as catchy as the mighty British. I miss a bit variety... One of my favorites is Hello Mr. Heartache, perhaps because they vary a bit this time... Some parts remind me of Giant, but still Def Leppard is written allover this one! Another highlight is Sheik Iddup which shows them differently, but the chorus makes you think of Def Leppard again. Personally I think they should have used the Leppard-ish choruses on every song. The closer is Love Will Know, an acoustic ballad, but they can't touch me...

I'm not sure, if Grand Design will have a real chance with Time Elevation, at least fans of Def Leppard's Pyromania and Hysteria album should fall for it. If these aren't your favorite albums, you better check out the Swedish band at their MySpace page!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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