STONEFLOWER – Crack A Little Smile [CD reissue]

Having recorded one album with Diesel Dahl (TNT), Norwegians Tom Sennerud (g), Frode Henriksen (v) and Jon Johannessen (g) decided to form a band on their own in 1996: STONEFLOWER. They decided to hire experienced drummer Steinar Krokstad (STAGE DOLLS) and Dag Bårdstu (keys) to record the band’s debut “Crack A Little Smile” released several years later on the small label Storyteller Records and sold worldwide via AOR Heaven’s mailorder.
For years out of print, “Crack A Little Smile” was finally reissued.

Frode Henriksen (vocals), Tom Sennerud (guitar), Jan Johanessen (guitar) & Svenn R Huneide (bass), do all have experience from playing in bands such as Diezel, Tindrum, Brod & Cirkus, Alarm Justin Case, Rondo, Embee Normann, etc.
Ex- Stage Dolls member Steinar Krogstad, appears as guest on drums throughout the whole album. And Dag Bordstu handle all keys (including a mean Hammond from time to time) here.
If you heard StoneFlower’s other album you know what you will find here, if not, let me tell you they have their roots set firmly in ’80s Melodic Rock. Their sound is exceptionally rich, and the vocal harmonies at times border on stunning.
Think Stage Dolls, Toto, Da Vinci, Return, Nelson, Southern Sons, On The Rise and Michael Learns To Rock (for the poppier part), with great vocal harmonies, almost perfect arrangements and a natural inclination to write catchy songs.

“Baby, Baby, Wont Ya’ Rock My Nation” – the words are blasting out through your loudspeaker on opener “Rock My Nation” and you want to crank up the volume, louder & louder. It has a mind-catcher refrain and offer a light-AOR harmony, while following “Songs Of Love” is edgier and looks at hard rock graced by immaculate melodic choruses and a fine Dag’s keyboard solo.
On “If U Say” and “Whenever” we can taste very commercial melodies recalling of Canadians BLVD first album and I’m not tired to listen to them again and again, but with the refined “Only U” and “Sign On”, Frode & Co offer the poppiest tunes with very lovely harmonies all around.

“A Little Bit Of Money” follows the cheerful and catchy tradition of Scandinavian AOR with traces of Da Vinci, “Stop The Thunder” is more melodic rock and is followed by a delicate ballad called “Winter”, based upon piano and sweet vocals.
“Torn To Pieces” is a pompous and mighty song (catchy melodic rock again) that will satisfy the maniacs of the genre, while “Rat Razor” is a quick, simple and effective closing tune.

I you like the influences mentioned above, name it classy Melodic Rock with AOR touches, “Crack A Little Smile” will do precisely this: put a big smile all over yer sad and lonesome face.
This is the kind of records that will appeal to many: traditional melodic rockers, ’80s AOR addicts, and classic FM Rock aficionados will undoubtedly get a kick out of this.
Highly Recommended

01 – Rock My Nation
02 – Songs of Love
03 – If U Say
04 – Whenever
05 – Only U
06 – Sign On
07 – A Little Bit of Money
08 – Stop the Thunder
09 – Winter
10 – Torn to Pieces
11 – Rat Razor

Frode Henriksen (vocals)
Tom Sennerud (guitar)
Jan Johanessen (guitar)
Svenn R Huneide (bass)
Dag Bordstu (keyboads)
Steinar Krogstad (drums)

BUY
bit.do/stoneflower
www.amazon.co.uk/Crack-Little-Smile-Stoneflower/dp/B01MZGBYED