It really can't be pinpointed if Steve Overland has ever lent his voice to anything quite as heavy as his solo album, "Break Away". However, that could just be a side effect of the Overland connection since his current works with FM and Shadowman are more laidback oriented.
 
Nevertheless, this is a massive melodic disc that takes a few pages from its musician's past efforts, both borrowing from Cage and Grand Illusion, not only it's band members, but also the overall sounds. A moodier bit than what Overland is usually associated with, but his otherworldly vocals are just as fit for this darker turn of events as they do singing the sugar sweet and the relaxed Westcoast as he's known for.  And afterall, the album isn't all *that* dark to begin with.  It just happens to be darker than his previous works, and that makes it seem even heavier than it really it is at times.  

The opener "This Time" leaps forward like a wolf from a cage. It's all spinning effects and spattering percussion. A quirk of a number, that unleashes power, precision and a hint of strangeness. "Alive and Kicking" backs it up by sheer force. Af Trampe's guitars are sizzle kissed and strike at will, a dangerous dance of electricity amongst a snapping, groove laden second number. The title track puts the focus on a slamming rhythm section and a rolling metal pace that lets Steve just belt it. Somehow it misses the mark that captures the imagination however.
 
This is something that is made up for in the following piece, the symphonically lush "Like a River" that sees keyboards and guitars frolicking amongst each other as if in a friendly competition. A blaze of six string here, a trill of tinkling keys there, and Overland singing in all around the instrumental spectacle. A river of hope, and a rush from that spark of true love.
 
Musical arrangements finally take the backburner on the album's key ballad, the epic heart warmer "Look Into Your Eyes" that uses Steve's voice like a weapon of emotional destruction. Warm and soft, opening hestiantly and then bursting free, like a flower stretching it's vibrant hued petals up and toward the sun.  

"After the Fire" is another fine example of key/guitar exchanges, this time set in a song that seems rather typical until the chorus comes bursting through in all its AOR power. Steve is just such a fantastic vocalist that he lifts the material several notches above what it should be anyhow. "Evangeline" seems more like Grand Illusion meets Toto at the crossroads and sprinkled with a healthy dose of modern stylings. The verses are forceful and persistant, Evangeline is the need, and this song, the release of that dogging human addiction.
 
"Heartache Calling" is a whirlwind of instruments and vocals, the spotlight being on Overland's voice, which takes off into the grand heavens, higher and higher until your heart feels like it's going to snap right in two. A lofty, high flying AOR piece that lifts you up and fills your soul with nothing but a sense of pleasant contentment. "Mad Mad World" has an entertaining opening that is very Radioactive, and thus the guitars follow in that same Tommy Denander wake. Kind of more of the same, but those softer, smoothly crooned passages are just blissful.
 
"Lost In Paradise" makes the change from acoustic to electrics, thick and lovely chorus to spread the song evenly. Slick groove of quirky drums, vocal choral answering fills and other such quirky details give it a unique perspective on the album. "Rescue Me" turns the style on a dime and takes "Break Away" from the comforting arms of the melodic into the razor sharp claws of the metallic. Another song that is fierce and firey, the symphonic flavors blend into a chorus that just ignites the entire expedition into a blazing conflagration.
 
"Until Forever Comes" takes it down a notch into a mesmerizing lull of drums, and builds from that relaxed starting point. Gaining in speed and instruments, it finally all culminates in a fantastic final blow on the chorus that is what true "power" ballads are made out of. That is, before winding it back down into a sweet conclusion.  

Overland's "Break Away" does indeed what the title hints at. It takes his status as vocalist and puts him in a fresh new situation that allows the listener to hear him in a whole new light, while still retaining some familiar elements. Guitarist/keyboardist Anders Rydholm wrote the music and seemed to know just what Overland's voice would be suited best to bring to life. That makes a huge difference in an album like this, where a solo artist is trying to establish himself as a seperate entity from the bands he has always been aligned with.
 
Fortunately the collaboration clicks and "Break Away" ends up being one of the best harder melodic releases to come out in quite awhile. Perhaps some of the songs sound a bit too samey, but Steve always manages to boost the disc when the music starts to lag behind. A very solid entry and one that Overland fans would be crazy to skip over.  

Written by Alanna
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 8/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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Comment by mollyhatchet (Member) - Friday, July 4, 2008

View Profile Comments: 11 Ratings: 8 I've never been a fan of Steve Overland but this album sounds fine, different... that kind of music that you need to listen to several times to discover the truth within. To everyone: give this one a chance 'After the fire' and 'Heartache calling' are my favourite ones. I rate it 7/10 Posted by mollyhatchet Friday, July 4, 2008

Comment by Brian (Staff) - Friday, July 4, 2008

View Profile Comments: 81 Yes, outstanding album. It's as if Anders Rydholm, coaxed, cajoled or simply inspired a great performance from Overland. Best I've heard him in years. Posted by Brian (Staff) Friday, July 4, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Saturday, July 5, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 Yes, it's very good. Overland is really on top of his game here, and Brian is right, his performance is one of the most inspired from the last few years. Really solid stuff here, that grows on you the more you listen. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Saturday, July 5, 2008