GRAND DESIGN / IDOLIZER (2011)

Copy-cats or just paying dues to their heroes and the big sounding of 80's hard rock? One thing is sure; Grand Design is back to offer us another excellent piece of Melodic Hard Rock album full of catchy choruses, huge harmonies, great performances, excellent riffs and solos and the Def Leppard spirit stronger than ever! The band that impressed us with their debut album, "Time Elevation" in 2009,  has come back to rock our world once again! As Pelle Saether, the band's lead singer, said : "We knew we had found a formula to make an '80s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?".

The guys achieve to combine all the glory 80's, early 90's, mixed with the best "Hysteria"/"Adrenalize" pinches, add some modern Melodic Hard Rock approach and there you have "Idolizer"! The fact that Grand Design sounding as Def Leppard's little brother is not a problem for me. I love Def Leppard and I grew up with the Leps albums so it's always a great pleasure to hear something that sounds similar to my heroes or sometimes better than everything that the great Def Leppard has released over the last years!! I'm sure that if Grand Design's albums were released back in the 80's, early 90's, they could easily be one of the biggest names back then!

"Get On With The Action" is the opening song here and it's simply huge! A 'clever' riffing and big gang vocals in this 80's anthemic rocker. This tune will probably be a fan favourite in the band's live acts. "Change Me Up" is another brilliant Hysteria-esque tune! Loud guitars, big-gang backround vocals and strong harmonies. Next is "Oughtograph", and please don't confuse it with the Leps "Photograph", a hard-hittin' rocker with a catchy hook and chorus strong enough to make you wanna sing along! "Your Love's A Runaway" is just a brilliant track from the new album! It starts with a heavenly melody, ala 'Hysteria', with a huge harmony and a catchy as hell chorus line. "Addiction For Love" has a 'modern' vibe in it, "Rock Back To The 80's" is an anthemic eighties rocker with a nice chorus and "Lets Rawk The Night" is another up-tempo rhythmic hard rocker!

Overall this is an extremely interesting release from Grand Design. Their music is up-tempo with strong melodies, passionate performances, tight musicianship, an 80's feeling in all the album and the Def Leppard spirit alive and kickin' . Well done!
HeavyParadise's Rating : 8/10

TRACK LIST : 01 - Get On With The Action, 02 - Change Me Up, 03 - Oughtograugh, 04 - Your Loves A Runaway, 05 - Stealin' My Love, 06 - Lets Rawk The Nite, 07 - Addiction For Love, 08 - Idolize Me, 09 - Rock Back To The 80's, 10 - You're Gonna Dig On It