Palace - Master Of The Universe

[simo]

I don't know maybe this will change once I'm more familiar with the songs. But I feel this album contains some of the most out of place sounding hooks and vocal lines (the way they're sung) I've heard. Will give a few examples after my next listen

[mrbandwidth]

Great track:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDRgtng_oi8

[heavyharmonies]

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

[Gotthardline]

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

Completely agree

This is great

[mrbandwidth]

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

 

Not blasphemous at all Dan, it's just that Cruzh for me has been instant love while this one is more a grower which needs more spins, specially some tracks. Still to decide which one I like more in my case.

[Glen]

Love the sound of this band - really captured the pure 80's sound.

 

Some choruses don't quite deliver which is a shame, but there are some really good songs here.

 

Love the pure melodic rock of 'Matter in Hand', 'She Said Its Over' and 'Part of Me'

 

Can see this being a real grower.

[lettard]

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

I agree also,its excellent,Cruzh isn't bad either but King company aint getting me atm

[Full Toss]

 

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

I agree also,its excellent,Cruzh isn't bad either but King company aint getting me atm

 

King Company is excellent. The 3 Frontiers releases are all highly enjoyable.

[lettard]

 

 

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

I agree also,its excellent,Cruzh isn't bad either but King company aint getting me atm

 

King Company is excellent. The 3 Frontiers releases are all highly enjoyable.

 

Maybe a grower then

[mrbandwidth]

Definitvely, great album!

• 
  
  1 Master of the Universe - 10
  
  
  
• 
  
  2 Cool Runnin' - 9.5
  
  
  
• 
  
  3 Man Behind the Gun - 9
  
  
  
• 
  
  4 Part of Me - 10
  
  
  
• 
  
  5 No Exit - 7
  
  
  
• 
  
  6 Matter in Hand - 9
  
  
  
• 
  
  7 Path to Light - 8
  
  
  
• 
  
  8 Rules of the Game - 10
  
  
  
• 
  
  9 She Said It's Over - 8.5
  
  
  
• 
  
  10 Stranger's Eyes - 9.5
  
  
  
• 
  
  11 Young / Wild / Free - 8
  
  
  

Total: 89.5% - > Defeats Treat and enters my this year's Top-3!!!

1. Nordic Union

2. First Signal

3. Palace

[Geoff]

I've loved what I've heard of this one and expect it to be up the top. Really surprised to see Nordic Union so high up in that list, mate. That's really doing nothing for me at all, to be honest, until the closing ballad.

[mrbandwidth]

I've loved what I've heard of this one and expect it to be up the top. Really surprised to see Nordic Union so high up in that list, mate. That's really doing nothing for me at all, to be honest, until the closing ballad.

 

About Nordic Union, well, in my case, I love the Ronnie Atkins bittersweet voice, the 'hardness' of the album is perfect (it has 'balls' but not in excess) and songs like 'Hipocrisy', 'Falling' or 'When death is calling' are top-notch.

 

But everyone has different tastes, mate, we're not clones, even liking the same music style.

 

What's your Top-3 this year, then?

[Mr.AOR]

I'm going to say something that many may consider blasphemous (at least based upon the commentary on the board thus far): Of the three Aug. 26 releases from Frontiers, I think this one may be the best of the three...

100% agree,this album is AWESOME!!! and blows the other 2 (which are ) away, LOVE IT

[Glen]

 

I've loved what I've heard of this one and expect it to be up the top. Really surprised to see Nordic Union so high up in that list, mate. That's really doing nothing for me at all, to be honest, until the closing ballad.

About Nordic Union, well, in my case, I love the Ronnie Atkins bittersweet voice, the 'hardness' of the album is perfect (it has 'balls' but not in excess) and songs like 'Hipocrisy', 'Falling' or 'When death is calling' are top-notch.

 

But everyone has different tastes, mate, we're not clones, even liking the same music style.

 

What's your Top-3 this year, then?

I love Nordic Union as well.

 

Erik wrote a great album for Ronnie.

[The Rocker]

 

 

I've loved what I've heard of this one and expect it to be up the top. Really surprised to see Nordic Union so high up in that list, mate. That's really doing nothing for me at all, to be honest, until the closing ballad.

About Nordic Union, well, in my case, I love the Ronnie Atkins bittersweet voice, the 'hardness' of the album is perfect (it has 'balls' but not in excess) and songs like 'Hipocrisy', 'Falling' or 'When death is calling' are top-notch.

 

But everyone has different tastes, mate, we're not clones, even liking the same music style.

 

What's your Top-3 this year, then?

I love Nordic Union as well.

 

Erik wrote a great album for Ronnie.

 

Agree! And "Falling" is my #1 song of the year.

[Nightrain]

This album is enjoyable but looks like a grower. Instantly love 'Stranger Eyes', what a song !

[Kim_Hp]

Best 80's A.O.R. from Sweden since H.E.A.T´s "Freedom Rock" album (2010).
If there is a better one then I want to know about it...perfection from start to finish.

[Gotthardline]

Best 80's A.O.R. from Sweden since H.E.A.T´s "Freedom Rock" album (2010).

If there is a better one then I want to know about it...perfection from start to finish.

I agree that it's definitely a great album

 

I do prefer Miss Behaviour's new album more though

[Geoff]

 

 

I've loved what I've heard of this one and expect it to be up the top. Really surprised to see Nordic Union so high up in that list, mate. That's really doing nothing for me at all, to be honest, until the closing ballad.

About Nordic Union, well, in my case, I love the Ronnie Atkins bittersweet voice, the 'hardness' of the album is perfect (it has 'balls' but not in excess) and songs like 'Hipocrisy', 'Falling' or 'When death is calling' are top-notch.

 

But everyone has different tastes, mate, we're not clones, even liking the same music style.

 

What's your Top-3 this year, then?

I love Nordic Union as well.

 

Erik wrote a great album for Ronnie.

 

 

I feel like Erik wrote a pretty safe and slightly uninspired album for Ronnie. Sounds a bit like Martenson-by-numbers this time around.

 

Anyway, Mrbandwidth, my top 3 would be First Signal, Wigelius and The Defiants.

[tts42572]

 

Definitvely, great album!

• 1 Master of the Universe - 10
• 2 Cool Runnin' - 9.5
• 3 Man Behind the Gun - 9
• 4 Part of Me - 10
• 5 No Exit - 7
• 6 Matter in Hand - 9
• 7 Path to Light - 8
• 8 Rules of the Game - 10
• 9 She Said It's Over - 8.5
• 10 Stranger's Eyes - 9.5
• 11 Young / Wild / Free - 8

Total: 89.5% - > Defeats Treat and enters my this year's Top-3!!!

1. Nordic Union

2. First Signal

3. Palace

 

 

Been giving this album a try but it's just not happening for me.

 

My top albums this year are Nordic Union, Defiants, Cruzh and Treat so thought Palace might appeal to me. I think it's just too smooth and keyboard driven or something for my tastes. There's a couple songs I kinda like....Part of Me, Rules of The Game, She Said It's Over...But most of it just isn't doing much for me. Honestly, I often struggle with pure, "smooth" AOR though with bands like Harem Scarem, Toto, Survivor that I usually don't seem to like much from.

 

I will say the album is put together really well and does sound great and can see why people would like and can see why it's highly rated....It's just not falling in my wheelhouse I guess. I may give it a few more spins to see if it grows on me some. I think it's very similar to me as the First Signal album....Another one I haven't really been able to wrap myself around.

[heavyharmonies]

Too smooth, ok I get that... preferring harder-edged rock vs. AOR... ok.... but then how the F*CK does Cruzh then end up on your top of the year list? There's some wickedly syrupy stuff on that album.

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

[The Rocker]

Too smooth, ok I get that... preferring harder-edged rock vs. AOR... ok.... but then how the F*CK does Cruzh then end up on your top of the year list? There's some wickedly syrupy stuff on that album.

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

What he said

[tts42572]

Agree there is some cheese on Cruzh...But I really dig most of the album outside of the 3 ballads. It is a tad lighter than I normally like and do wish it had a little more edge. I really like tunes like Aim For The Head, Hard To Get and Set Me Free though...awesome stuff!

 

I guess being a Hysteria/Adrenalize era Leppard fan that the production on Cruzh sorta hits my sweet spot. I'm a sucker for over-produced, Def Leppardish sounding stuff I guess.

 

I get your point though...kinda surprised myself. Maybe my views will change in time.

 

As for Palace...still giving it a shot. There's some good stuff on it so maybe it'll grow in me.

 

 

Too smooth, ok I get that... preferring harder-edged rock vs. AOR... ok.... but then how the F*CK does Cruzh then end up on your top of the year list? There's some wickedly syrupy stuff on that album.

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

[lettard]

 

Too smooth, ok I get that... preferring harder-edged rock vs. AOR... ok.... but then how the F*CK does Cruzh then end up on your top of the year list? There's some wickedly syrupy stuff on that album.

 

"One of these things is not like the other..."

 

What he said

 

Agreed

 

Agree there is some cheese on Cruzh...

 

 

Hmmmm that's an understatement lol

[zacharyamelie]

Part Of Me is stunning and one of the best tracks of the year...too bad it's followed by one of the biggest stinkers of the year No Exit....what an awful chorus. All in all it's a great release.