The Grammers - Dream in a minor key (VR Label)
At number 16 we have the Grammers with "Dream in a minor key". These guys ain't no "new and promising" act. These are hard rock/ AOR veterans and have been releasing quality album after quality album for more than 15 years. Their latest release is no different, and yet its quality surpasses its predecessors enough to warrant inclusion among the best albums of 2017.
The album kicks off with "Run & Hide", which creates a relaxed atmosphere through the use of acoustic guitars and slowly builds towards the dynamic chorus and a Uriah Heep - inspired interlude which helps in developing the ambience of the song. "Dreams in minor key" is an extremely catchy AOR song with piano-led verses leading to the dynamic chorus. "Take it or leave it" is the best anthem of the album and truly deserving to be the AOR trademark of this decade, with equal parts of cheesiness and epic-ness and the excellent guest verse by Maria Hanninen. "Liar, liar" is another powerful rock song with theatrical vocal lines that reveal the impressive range of lead singer Hannu Vainiopaa. "79" is another rocking track with the piano accompanying the vocal interplay of the singer with the choral parts impeccably. The closer "Long Gone" is a slow sombre and nostalgic song with a catchy melody and a melancholic guitar/keyboard solo that serves as an excellent outro to the album.
An unknown gem with some of the best songs I have heard in its genre in a long time.
94/100
Below is the music video for "Take it or Leave it"
The album kicks off with "Run & Hide", which creates a relaxed atmosphere through the use of acoustic guitars and slowly builds towards the dynamic chorus and a Uriah Heep - inspired interlude which helps in developing the ambience of the song. "Dreams in minor key" is an extremely catchy AOR song with piano-led verses leading to the dynamic chorus. "Take it or leave it" is the best anthem of the album and truly deserving to be the AOR trademark of this decade, with equal parts of cheesiness and epic-ness and the excellent guest verse by Maria Hanninen. "Liar, liar" is another powerful rock song with theatrical vocal lines that reveal the impressive range of lead singer Hannu Vainiopaa. "79" is another rocking track with the piano accompanying the vocal interplay of the singer with the choral parts impeccably. The closer "Long Gone" is a slow sombre and nostalgic song with a catchy melody and a melancholic guitar/keyboard solo that serves as an excellent outro to the album.
An unknown gem with some of the best songs I have heard in its genre in a long time.
94/100
Below is the music video for "Take it or Leave it"
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