MTM Music starts 2005 with 2 very interesting releases MPG(Martie Peters Group) and Greenhouze. Greenhouze is a two man collaboratino between the norweigean singer Solli (Sons Of Angels, Psycho Motel, 21 Guns) and the swedish guitarist Lars Levin (Second Heat). You could hear a preview track from this album on the MTM Rock Ballads Volume 5 called Train Song that took me by suprise and I was looking forward to this debut album. I have to admit that I was not that imprssed after the first spin of this album but after few spins later this album had grown to a fantastic AOR album that I have played over and over again. I don?t know why I didn?t like it right away but this is a perfect AOR with great hooks, strong production and I haven?t heard Solli sing this good before. This is a splendid mixture of Stage Dolls(1989), Dare, On The Rise and Hush. Most of the album is sounding like Stage Dolls did back in the late 80?s with Love Cries. Out of the 12 tracks on this debut there is also 2 instrumental tracks and the melodic Snow On The Roof is brilliant. There is lots of highlights on this album and the arrangements and variation on this album is more than good. My personal favourite is the absolutley brilliant Train Song that is filled with superb melodies and the chorus is done with class with strong harmonyvocals. Stage Dolls couldn?t have done it better. The opening of this album with tracks like The Point(a better version of Dare), Waterline and Here In The Air is just amazing with fluffy keyboards, brilliant guitarriffs and meroable hooklines all the way. If those songs don?t impress you then this album ain?t nothing for you. Additional musicians on the album is Frank Tostrup(Shirley?s Temple), Celio de Carvahlo, Leif Johansen(21 Guns, Phenomena) and Mike Sturgis(21 Guns, Asia). This is just a perfect start off the new year with a strong and quality AOR from MTM that will be released the 24th January. This is a album that will for sure be a candidate for top-10 of 2005 but it may be to early to say that but hey this is a fantastic album.
Kajs opinion It?s nice to see 3/4 of 21 guns together again on a record even if 2 of them only are guestmusicians, Greenhouze is made up by guitarist,keyboardist,bassist Lars Levin and singer Solli (21 Guns). These Norwegians are joined by Frank Tostrup-Drums plus guest appearances from 21 Guns boys Leif Johanssen and Mike Sturgis,the music also whispers some 21 guns vibes if you take away Scott Gorham?s six string touch but the biggest part of this highlandish AOR reminds me of Dare and Stagedolls. I have read in some reviews that they aren?t too happy with the production??!!,I hear nothing wrong about it,good clean and huge sound with a phat bass?..couldn?t be better! What strikes me is Solli?s soulful vocals that makes this epic soundscape the dream it is to enjoy,don?t just listen to it one time and put it in your collection ? then you will miss the strength of the album coz it grows within each listen. Excellent guitarwork!
