Level Eleven
Last Autumn's Dream
•
January 21, 2015

Since December 2003, LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM had a tradition; they always released with a metronomic precision a new album each year in Japan, the European market is always a little late in the delivery. But anyway, LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM never failed to provide some great Melodic Rock with a quite positive message and a feel good mood, and once again in early 2015 the dreamteam is back for their eleventh studio work!
Originally started in 2002, as another Supergroup with 3/5 of EUROPE (Ian Haugland, Mic Michaeli and John Leven) and German guitarist Andy Malacek from FAIR WARNING/S.A.D.O. fame, a perfectly working unit as a backing band for the excellent Swedish artist/composer/singer, Mikael Erlandsson (exCRASH).
After the EUROPE's triumphal comeback, the line-up evolved in a real band form, with the addition of TALISMAN rythm section. In 2005, "Winter In Paradise" established LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM as a real contender in the new revamped AOR scene!
The superb tryptich "Saturn Skyline", "Hunting Shadows" (2007) and mostly "Dreamcatcher", are deeply rooted in their timeless fashion of Scandinavian Melodic Hard Rock and are very recommended by your truly!
For their seventh studio release called "A Touch Of Heaven", despite the tragic passing of the great bassist Marcel Jacob (TALISMAN/ex RISING FORCE/ex EUROPE) that was replaced by Jacob's admirator Nalle Pahlsson (exTREAT/THERION/). They found in him the best successor ever, the quartet is on track again, and when he joined, they had unconsciously reform the ultra efficient TREAT's legendary Bass/Drums duo with Jamie Borger (TALISMAN/SECRET SERVICE) who helped to keep the high-profile continuation of the fine album collection and superb sound design!
Of course, "A Touch Of Heaven" is dedicated to their lost brother : Marcel Jacob should be proud in Heaven... May he rest in peace.
For their following works with a new record company namely "Yes", the 2011's "Nine Lives" and the tenth "Ten Tangerine Tales" album, LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM proposes for a less adventurous yet high quality style in concordance with the band legacy...
In 2014, ex FAIR WARNING guitarist Andy Malecek unfortunately decided to leave the band because of personal reasons and was replaced by Peter Söderström, a genius guitar player that earlier used to add rhythm guitars to LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM's previous albums since 2010.
Now it's time for "Level Eleven" to hit the streets, this time the LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM's guys are in a new state of mind and they are eager to rectified their own line. In order to provide a fine album that will be released in Europe in February 2015, the pace and the mood is enthusiastic and jubilant; it sounds ultra catchy with solid guitar riffs, full of rich chorus and instant melodies, more than ever the combination of High-Class AOR with 70's Hard Rock references an heavenly mixture updated by a modern sound.
Mikael Erlandsson (LOVER UNDER COVER/SALUTE/SECRET SERVICE/ex CRASH/ex PHENOMENA) is one of the most recognisable singers/ songwriters in Sweden, his warm voice and soulful interpretation are always the highlights in any LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM's CD and this time again titles such as "Go Go Go Get Ready For The Show"/"Made Of Stone" or "Kiss Me", are undeniable exemple of his vocal supremacy and his impressive broad range capacities ... The verses for "Stick Around" are a great summary: always magic, thrilling and full of intense feelings!
Another strong asset in this "Level Eleven" is the songwriting collaboration of other members as Jamie Borger with "I'll Be There 4 U" (co-written by JEFF SCOTT SOTO and already recorded for the underrated TALISMAN "Truth" in 1998)...A great track that flawlessly fit the LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM's spirit!
Peter "Pac" Söderström reveals himself as a more than solid guitarist, who plays some fantastic solos in the Brian May's style with a fat and tasty sound ("Delirious"/"Made Of Stone") and a strong Swedish typical fluid virtuosity ("Follow Your Heart")!
Conventionally the disc should please the lovers of sweet Melodies, an album warmly suggested for the fans of any aforementioned band...Already in waiting for the LAST AUTUMN'S DREAM's new December offering and don't forget that this one goes to Eleven!<
9 / 10
Almost Perfect

"Level Eleven" Track-listing:
1. Kiss Me
2. Follow Your Heart
3. Fight The World
4. I'll B There 4 U
5. Losing You
6. Go Go Go - Get Ready For The Show
7. Delirious
8. Made Of Stone
9. Stick Around
10. Star
11. PLZ (Hidden Track)
Last Autumn's Dream Lineup:
Mikael Erlandsson - Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Jamie Borger - Drums, Backing Vocals
Nalley Pahlsson - Bass, Backing Vocals
Peter Söderström - Guitars, Backing Vocals
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