Mikael Erlandsson has spanned a long career in the music business, which in turn makes him a household name when it comes to the Melodic Rock genre. For 12 years he was the frontman for super group Secret Service. Erlandsson has also released albums with Phenomena, Radioactive, Sapphire Eyes and Heartbreak Radio amongst others but is best known for his work with his own bands Last Autumns Dream (14 albums released) and Autumns Child (5 Albums So Far). To this day Mikael Erlandsson has released 6 solo albums this latest one “The Second 1” with the title aspiring to the fact its almost 30 years since his first solo album “The 1”.Therefore the Swede rerecorded the real follow up of his first solo album as the same feel as “The 1” capturing his own unique style of writing. This time he teamed up with producer Mats M.P Persson (Roxette) for the mixing and mastering just as he did for his solo debut 30 years ago.

The opening track “Evil Eye” has very much got keyboard injection as the backbone of the track with a mid tempo melody, some nice guitar runs with a quite soulful vocal , a dreamy track which flows. ”Call My Name” is a great feel good AOR track which has a 70's feel reminding me of Styx and E.L.O. ”Ricochet” the single is a great melodic anthemic track with the chorus made huge with the vocal harmonies reminiscent of the choruses you hear in tracks by Meat Loaf or Bon Jovi. ”Paper Moon” is a very much pop/rock affair with AOR touches with orchestral parts giving the track an atmospheric edge. ”Circus” is a fine rock n' roll track Scandinavian style, while “Flamenco In The Snow” has that Mexican flair and melody, very catchy chorus. ”Bug” has west coast AOR flare but mixed with a Latino feel & melody particularly in the chorus for me.”C'est La Vie” is a power ballad style track ,strong vocals, nostalgic in melody one of my favourite tracks on the album. ”Put Some Love In the World” is a super catchy track from start to finish makes you smile, tap your feet, sing a long with the references to The Beatles in the lyrics. ”Knocking On A Broken Heart” has a bit of Queen 70's sound to it particularly at the start, the bridge and chorus, the track short in length but the impact is certainly made superb track.”Geronimo” ends the album in glorious fashion with its anthemic sing a long chorus.

“The Second 1” had my attention from the first track to the last track this is a great collection of catchy songs, great hooks, melodies with excellent vocals I absolutely loved it. The album grew stronger and stronger track by track with the last 3 tracks the strongest ending I have heard to an album for some time. There is so much diverse musical paths this album goes down and Mikael Erlandsson's experience as a musician is evident within this album .This album I admit took me by surprise a really really good album. Definitely worth checking out for longstanding fans of Mikael or a introduction for new fans.