Band : Grand Illusion
Album title : Brand New World
Label : AOR Heaven
Distributor : Rough Trade
Release date : 21/05/2010
Release : CD

As a matter of fact Grand Illusion saw life in 1986 under the name Promotion, but in 2005 they broke up, after releasing 3 albums onder the monicker of Grand Illusion. Now, four and a half years later they are back with a new album.  Is it coincidence, but once again they got signed by AOR Heaven, who also brought out the 1997 promotion album Not For Sale.

The core of the original band stayed intact, consisting of Anders Rydholm, Peter Sundell and Per Svenson. For the recording of this album they were joined by a few guests, like Gregg Bisonette, Tim Pierce and others. The opening track "Never Find Her Alone" immediately hits the button. This is a great, catchy AOR track. The second track I find personally is a bit weaker, but they pick up the pieces with the third track. As a matter of fact the album has excellent guitar work from start to finish, and the vocals are awesome. Both vocalists (Per and Peter) do an excellent job. Song-wize you've got a classic mix, a few ballads, a few up-tempo tracks and the rest is typical AOR although sometimes with a penchant to the harder stuff, mostly because the guitar sound is a bit heavier than on their previous albums.

A great comeback job by these guys. Surely a CD that I'll play again.

85/100

Erik Morren.