Fenrik Lane 317

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by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Fenrik Lane is one of the first releases from the brand new label, MelodicRockRecords. If you frequent www.melodicrock.com, you know that label head Andrew McNeice earmarked Fenrick Lane as one of the label’s first releases based on the band’s uber-polished Melodic Hard Rock sound and ability to basically make everything they write sound like a radio hit. The debut release, 317, is out Sept. 17.

On the opening notes of “Megalomania,” it becomes obvious fairly quickly that Fenrik Lane is fans of Stage Dolls. In fact, this sounds like something that could come off the band’s self-titled 1988 release; yes, it’s that good. Lead singer Knut Glesnes owns a pure, controlled, throaty delivery that may remind you of Bono. So, in some ways, if Bono sang for Stage Dolls, you’d get Fenrik Lane.

The band’s first single is “Diamonds in the Waste,” a smart play on words for a composition that shows how talented Fenrik Lane is as songwriters. The moodiness, the understated guitars, the crescendo to a brilliant chorus … this is as enormous as a Coldplay hit. Again, you will have to make a few comparisons to Bono, especially when Glesnes plays with a brief falsetto after the second chorus. These guys certainly know how to write hits …

“Runaway Car” aligns itself with “Diamonds in the Waste” as a track that could easily find airplay on Modern Rock radio. Fenrik Lane is not a shout-out to the ‘80s; this is updated, Modern Rock that is cemented in 2010 … but could also be at home a few decades ago. “Runaway Car” features a galloping chorus, a powerful breakdown after the guitar solo, and is just another mammoth anthem on 317.

If you are a fan of bass playing, check out John Erik Solvedt’s work on “Hot Lips.” The bass is basically the focus of the song, pulling the track along with a sexual rhythm. The best part about “Hot Lips” is that it is one of the more fevered compositions on 317, proving the guys can write any tempo song they desire, and master it as well.

“Sun Explodes” is one of the mellower tracks on the release, mostly acoustic guitar and excellent, earnest vocals from Glesnes. There’s a real honesty to the vocal delivery, a true sense of loss, of being bereft, all accompanied by nearly choral background vocals. You may find yourself going back to U2 again, but if so, then that’s a compliment.

If you want to know how pop-focused this band is, they close the album by covering Rhianna’s “Russian Roulette.” If you’ve never heard the original, that should help you enjoy this song. Otherwise, you’ll be thinking of Rhianna. The band also released this as the first single and shot a video for it, again, unfortunate considering they have so many songs that could stand on their own merit.

MelodicRockRecords has to feel pretty good about Fenrik Lane. Not only are they strong musicians, but they write stellar songs. Even the production efforts on 317 are pristine. Fenrik Lane is all about potential right now, but potentially, these guys should make a lot of waves in 2010 … and beyond.

Band:
Knut Glesnes – Lead Vocals, Guitar;
Christer Unneland – Drums, Backing Vocals;
John Erik Soltvedt – Bass, Backing Vocals, Piano.

Online: www.fenriklane.com, www.myspace.com/fenriklane, www.melodicrockrecords.com

Track listing:
01) Megalomania
02) Call Her Name
03) Diamonds In The Waste
04) Paranoia
05) Runaway Car
06) Cover Your Eyes
07) Left Me Scarred
08) Hot Lips
09) Bulletproof
10) Hello
11) Going Nowhere
12) Hate How You Say Goodbye
13) Sun Explodes
14) Russian Roulette

Genre: Melodic Rock

Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.9/10