{"id":35483,"date":"2013-12-15T13:22:39","date_gmt":"2013-12-15T18:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=35483"},"modified":"2014-02-08T08:39:25","modified_gmt":"2014-02-08T13:39:25","slug":"angelica-thrive-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/angelica-thrive-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Angelica | Thrive<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Joe Mis<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"AngelicaThrive<\/em> is the debut solo album from Angelica Rylin, the lead vocalist of the Swedish rockers The Murder of My Sweet. Following a dream, Angelica has put together a strong melodic rock release that should have broad appeal, especially to fans of Heart, Robin Beck, and Issa. Produced by her bandmate (and drummer) Daniel Flores, Thrive is a very good, radio friendly release that showcases another side of Angelica\u2019s vocal talents.<\/p>\n

Angelica has pretty much ensured the success of Thrive<\/em> by working with a number of industry veterans. She not only presents songs that she\u2019s written, but also had some help from melodic rock mainstays Harry Hess, Robert Sall, Alessandro Del Vecchio and Anders Wigelius, among others. The primary musicians in the band are guitarist Per Berquist (Smash Into Pieces), drummer \/ keyboardist \/ producer Daniel Flores (Hubi Meisel, Faro, Philip Bardowell), and bassist Johan Niemann (Evergrey, Therion). Guest solos by Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear), Jesper Stromblad (In Flames, The Resistance), Matt Guillory (James LaBrie), and ), Mats Lindfors (John Norum, Talisman) only serve to make a good thing better.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreaking My Heart\u201d is a titanic opener that brings together great vocals, a toe-tap inducing rhythm line, strong guitars and well done synths. The big hooks reach out and grab, and Angelica\u2019s vocals sail over it all, paying homage to many great female rockers but not imitating them. \u201cI Am Strong\u201d is a real AOR rocker with a melodic chorus and an upbeat tone delivered by energetic guitars and keys. \u201cTo Your Rescue\u201d is another up-tempo rocker that seems a blend of prog styling with 80\u2019s pop-rock, and features big guitar riffs, slick keys, and a sing-along chorus. \u201cCan\u2019t Stop Love\u201d is a ballad that truly allows the softer subtleties of Angelica\u2019s voice to shine as they glide above a delicate keyboard line. \u201cNothing Else You Can BreaK\u201d is another song with a late 80s\/early 90s feel, but modernized in presentation. Chugging guitars backed by keys open \u201cRiding Out The Storm\u201d before it becomes a solid and upbeat rocker that would be at home on any rock radio station \u2013 just a well done tune.<\/p>\n

\u201cRain On My Parade\u201d rolls in a number of commercial rock elements, and is a catchy modern rocker with everything from gritty guitars to layered keys to electronically distorted vocals, delivered with swagger and attitude. Angelica turns everything down quite a bit on the wonderful ballad \u201cLosers In Paradise,\u201d once again bringing the softer elements of her voice into play and delivering an outstanding performance. \u201cYou Will Never Win\u201d brings the energy back up with a very slick, commercial feel to it, while the kicky \u201cThis Kiss Is Just For You\u201d is just dripping with modern rock elements in the vein of Chasing Violets or Issa. \u201cI\u2019m Not Waiting\u201d bounces back and forth between low and high energy thanks to both expressive vocals and great interplay between soft keys and punchy guitar\/bass\/drums. Angelica wraps the album with \u201cTake Me To Your Heart,\u201d a real singer\u2019s song with an amazing chorus that sounds \u201cright\u201d on so many levels.<\/p>\n

Overall, Thrive<\/em> is a crisp and bright melodic rock album that maintains a strong sense of melody from start to finish. Angelica\u2019s voice is superb whether she is singing in a hushed whisper or under full power (with no screams, screeches, or growls). Her delivery is passionate and emotional, and obviously her performance comes from the heart. She\u2019s done a great job of blending her own skills with those of the other songwriters, thus producing a solidly cohesive work. Her fellow musicians all deliver at the top of their games, and Thrive is a joy to the ears that hear. This is not another Murder of My Sweet album, but a truly independent work that should appeal to anyone into melodic rock. Recommended!<\/p>\n

Genre: Modern Melodic Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nAngelica Rylin (vocals)
\nPer Berquist (guitar)
\nDaniel Flores (drums, keyboards, backing vocals)
\nJohan Niemann (bass)
\nGuests: Magnus Karlsson (guitar solo on 1), Jesper Stromblad (guitar solo on 2), Mats Lindfors (guitar solos on 4, 5), Matt Guillory (keyboards on 12)<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1.\tBreaking My Heart
\n2.\tI Am Strong
\n3.\tTo Your Rescue
\n4.\tCan’t Stop Love
\n5.\tNothing Else You Can Break
\n6.\tRiding Out The Storm
\n7.\tRain On My Parade
\n8.\tLosers In Paradise
\n9.\tYou Will Never Win
\n10.\tThis Kiss Is Just For You
\n11.\tI’m Not Waiting
\n12.\tTake Me To Your Heart
\n13.\tBreaking My Heart (Videoclip)<\/p>\n

Label: Frontiers Records<\/p>\n

Website: http:\/\/frontiers.it\/album\/5179\/<\/a>, http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/angelica.rylin<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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