H.E.A.T – Address The Nation (2012)

the REAL one

*

Swedish sensation H.E.A.T are back with another blast; “Address The Nation”.
After the unfortunate departure of vocalist Kenny Leckremo in 2010, H.E.A.T recruited the winner of the 2009 edition of Swedish Idol. The guy certainly proved he was up to the job with excellent live performances, and many a breath has been held waiting for the band’s debut with the new boy.

Whilst Finnish band Reckless Love seemed to go towards a more poppy, synth sound for their recent album, H.E.A.T have pretty much decided that if something ain’t broke there’s no point trying to fix it.
Each of the ten tracks on “Address The Nation” is a snapshot of what rockin’ AOR is all about, with big choruses and joyful bouncing galore. Only the final track, “Downtown” has a seriousness not associated with the band, but it makes up for it by being a superb – if moody – track with a first class guitar solo.

Vocalist Erik Gronwall does not disappoint in any way here, and those who predicted a doom laden future for the band after Leckremo left will look pretty silly after people hear the vocals here.
Opening track “Breaking The Silence” really showcases his voice, bringing to mind his awesome ’18 And Life’ Swedish Idol audition in 2009. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also one of the best songs the band has produced, and I love the fact that for each album they have opened with a kick ass track that really puts you in the mood for the rest.
But the album is full of wonders.
“Living On The Run”, “The One And Only”, “Better Off Alone”, “Heartbreaker” are all pure AOR / Melodic Rock heaven, with a modern and updated style. The band even adds some original sax on “In And Out Of Trouble” to expand their lush, thundering sound.

“Address The Nation” is one of those albums that you listen to several times in a row, because time goes so fast when it’s on. It’s over 40 minutes, but you will seriously wonder where the time went as “Downtown” once again rolls to a close.
A wonderful fusion of keyboards, guitars and a fantastic voice, “Address The Nation” should see H.E.A.T get bigger and bigger.
One of the albums of the year.

01 – Breaking the Silence
02 – Living On The Run
03 – Falling Down
04 – The One And Only
05 – Better Off Alone
06 – In And Out Of Trouble
07 – Need Her
08 – Heartbreaker
09 – It’s All About Tonight
10 – Downtown

Erik Grönwall: Vocals
Dave Dalone: Guitars
Eric Rivers: Guitars
Jona Tee: Keyboards
Jimmy Jay: Bass
Crash: Drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Address-Nation-H-E-T/dp/B00729Z6R4