Jorn--Out To Every Nation
AFM/The End 2004
Jorn Lande has had quite a career in music. Spanning nearly 15 releases both as a solo artist and with his main band Masterplan (featuring former members of Helloween), there's no doubt this guy is one of the best classic hard rock singers in the world. So, why have we never heard of him before in the United States? That question is even more confounding listening to the latest Jorn release Out To Every Nation. This platter is easily more special than anything else of its ilk happening today--in more ways than one.
The best and most obvious reference point for Out To Every Nation's brand of blues-tinged classic hard rock is Slip Of The Tongue-era Whitesnake. Lande has an extremely David Coverdale-esque slant to his vocal delivery, but the comparison also extends to the music itself. This is radio ready stuff with a keen pop sensibility and hooks to rule the world by. These facts coupled with the liberal use of synth accentuation here also make Lock Up The Wolves Dio and the Y&T of Contagious and Ten seem like close relations.
Out To Every Nation's songwriting is the thing that makes it stick out from the crowd, and we're not just talking about the overwhelming quality of composition present either. More specifically, there is a very hopeful, Christian undercurrent to the lyrics--love, charity, and peace (the real deal; not the empty hippy proclamations) all rate high in this album's subject matter. This element of these songs is at its best and most powerful on the title track and "When Angel Wings Were White." Their message is very simple--we are very near the end of days, but that doesn't give us reason to throw up our hands and quit on life; on the contrary, there is great work to be done in the time that remains for this earth. Please note, these words don't come off overly preachy and regardless of where you fall on the spiritual map everyone will be able to enjoy the Vai-esque arpeggiated lead guitar on "Vision Eyes" or appreciate the complex progressive structure of "Young Forever." Plus, Jorn's voice is amazing throughout, very expressive and original in spite of its reverence for its influences.
As much of a downer vibe as most music puts out these days, the uplifting power of Out To Every Nation is a refreshing change of pace. For folks who were sad when this style fell out of vogue, Jorn will be like an answer to prayer. Ditto, for those rockers out there of faith. Bottom line: if you want top notch hard rock like there hasn't been in years, this is it. Easily one of the best surprises in ages. If there's any justice, this one will wind up plastered all over every hard and classic rock radio station in the world.
Score this CD directly from THE END
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