READ FULL REVIEW HERE

Bonrud – “Save Tomorrow”

Escape Music (2012)

Rating: 5 / 6

In melodic rock these days, central locality to form the right partnership isn’t as necessary if you have talent, technology, and time at your disposal. Guitarist/bassist Paul Bonrud started Bonrud with vocalist Rick Forsgren, releasing their debut album on Frontiers Records. It didn’t matter at the time that Seattle, Washington and Saint Paul, Minnesota were their respective locales- their vision to produce high quality melodic rock with Journey and Foreigner as their inspiration led the band to acclaim and chart action in Europe and Japan. The follow up “Save Tomorrow” may have a new drummer Paul Higgins and a trio of keyboardists supplying their skills (Richard Baker, Eric Ragno, and Dave Gross) but the end result is pure gold for those of us who love the late 70’s to late 80’s AOR hit making years.

The measuring stick of a great melodic rock album begins and ends with hooks- and “Save Tomorrow” swings plenty of them early and often. The title cut charges with Paul’s feel good riffing style as Rick Forsgren soars with his multi-octave high notes- transporting you back to the better Schon/Perry moments with Journey during “Escape” and “Frontiers” years- along with a touch of Jimi Jamison era Survivor. “American Dream” has a little of that old Michael Bolton (during his rock days) meets Aldo Nova feel musically- the right guitar squeals and licks that keep this mid-tempo arrangement catchy and in the pocket groove-wise. Paul also co-produced the 12 song effort with renowned producer Keith Olsen– who’s only worked with Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, and Rick Springfield among others- so this has a potent, in your face sound with the emphasis in all the right places. Only downside- the comic book caper cover art… this fine release deserves a better first impression than that.

My current favorites include the made for radio “Torn Apart” and the Loverboy riffs meets Queen vocal harmonies for the closer “You’re The One”- but I didn’t hear a weak song out of the bunch. One you can play for the family for sure- and leave humming quite a few parts in the process- kudos to Bonrud and I can’t wait for what’s in store for future records.

www.facebook.com/bonrud
www.escape-music.com

Composed by Matt Coe

Here’s a great conversation over at the MelodicRock.com Forum about Save Tomorrow, join in and let other fans know what you think!

“Bonrud Saves Tomorrow…WOW!”

“Save Tomorrow” Gets Score of 93% at MelodicRock.com!

A new label, a new singer and a new attitude. That sums up the sophomore release from US guitarist Paul Bonrud and his band, which now features the raspier tones of Rick Forsgren on vocals. And moving away from the more pure AOR of the debut, Save Tomorrow is a far grittier release, blending some great commercial melodic rock moments with harder edged material that allows Paul to show off his guitar skills to far greater advantage.

The hard rock aspect of this album is also more contemporary sounding, but don’t confuse this for being too heavy or a modern rock record. No, it is just classic hard rock with a contemporary edge in places. It’s also still very melodic and very likable and thanks to producer Keith Olsen, sounds a million bucks. This really is one of those albums that could so easily slip through the cracks between better known artists, which would be criminal, as the album stands on its own and delivers a thoroughly cracking good selection of songs and deserves to be heard by all.

The Songs

The hard rocking We Collide is a monster song and the thumping production and classic “metal” voice of Forsgren gives this album the kind of Dokken vibe that Dokken themselves can’t reach today. The menacing riff heavy Bullet in the Back is even better and simply thumps through the speakers. American Dream is classic 80’s hard rock while Save Tomorrow takes a raspy vocal and turns the album back towards a more melodic rock/AOR territory. A killer chorus makes this a worthy title track. Liquid Sun is a more contemporary sounding slow burn rocker, again contrasted by the feel good melodic rock of I’d Do Anything. Last Sunrise continues the back and forth nature of the middle album sequence, turning heavier again, with its counterpart, the very catchy Torn Apart switching back to the lighter side. Blinded is as gritty as the album gets with a memorable riff and strong old school hard rock chorus. As expected, Dominoes is lighter and breezier with some sing-along moments. You’re The One is a terrific Bryan Adams style melodic rocker and End of Days is a slow starting moody rocker that flows into a great chorus to end the album with another highlight.

Special mention of the awesome artwork commissioned by Paul especially for the album and the change of logo distances Bonrud from that “Journey Scarab” theme that pops up so much.

The Bottom Line

Paul Bonrud may have cranked up the sound here for a heavier direction, but the melodies and hooks come thick and fast just as they did on the debut.  I think that everything about Save Tomorrow is better than the debut – more consistency in songwriting, better production, a style that really suits Paul and singer Rick and more energy throughout. A highly recommended album for all melodic rock fans.

Read the review at MelodocRock.com

Buy “Save Tomorrow”!

Purchase the new Bonrud CD “Save Tomorrow” directly through our website!

BONRUD is a melodic-rock project headed by producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Bonrud and fronted by Minneapolis’ power-vocalist Rick “Four Octave” Forsgren. Established in Seattle, BONRUD’s debut album was released in Europe and Japan on Frontiers Records where it received acclaim and climbed the charts, taking the song “Date With Destiny” to number 11 on the Sapporo STV Top 20 chart in Japan, staying in the top 20 for 5 weeks. The anticipated album, “Save Tomorrow” is the result of an impressive formation of highly experienced musicians known for their collaborative abilities, as well as the successful pairing of Paul Bonrud and legendary producer/engineer Keith Olsen.

BONRUD’s new album is released under the eminent European label, Escape Music and Japan’s Rubicon Music. It features twelve songs for Europe with a bonus track for Japan. Paul Bonrud engineered and co-produced the album with six-time Grammy winner Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, etc.). The songs were meticulously mixed by Keith at Pogologo Studio in California. “BONRUD has been an interesting project – As Paul and Rick have dedicated so much of their time, energy, and passion to this album, it has always been about quality of song, performance, and sound. I wish the band much success with this sophomore release,” says Keith Olsen.

Paul Bonrud began working with Rick Forsgren on “Save Tomorrow” after relocating to Minnesota. The two immediately hit it off with their infectious energy and chemistry for the songwriting process. Rick’s powerful vocal range paired with Paul’s memorable guitar leads, allows the melodies to organically ascend. Andrew McNeice from MelodicRock.com says, “Paul Bonrud is one of the true good guys of melodic rock. He backs up his status with talent in spades and an unwavering devotion to his craft. He works harder at getting things right than most and when new BONRUD music is ready you always know it will be well worth it.”

BONRUD’s new album features drums performed by Washington state’s Paul Higgins and recorded at the famed London Bridge Studio in Seattle (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). The keyboards were performed by Richard Baker (Santana, Saga, Gary Wright), Eric Ragno (Graham Bonnet, Fergie Frederiksen, Jeff Scott Soto), and Dave Gross. The album was mastered by Steve Hall (Alice in Chains, Madonna, Richard Marx). “My goal was to make the best album I could with absolutely no compromises and that is exactly what I did. The songs, production, and performances are the best of my career and I can’t wait for people to hear it,” Paul Bonrud says of the new album.

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MelodicRock.com Review: Self-Titled CD BONRUD

Read the Melodic Rock review of Bonrud’s self-titled CD.

Melodicrock.com Review

Reviewed by Andrew McNeice

Overall rating: 88%

Songs: 91%

Sound: 85%

Paul Bonrud has spent the best part of a couple of years of his life writing and recording this – his debut album under the Bonrud moniker. In making the album he had guidance from legendary producer Keith Olsen, who mixed the album. Paul plays a good deal of the instruments himself, contributing with guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals and percussion. Also featured as part of Bonrud are lead vocalist Dave Hendricks and drummer Paul Higgins.

Bonrud plays a very pure blend of melodic rock and AOR, with a mix of guitars and keyboards supporting some fine 80’s melodic rock songs. The band could compare to the sound of Lou Gramm and Foreigner and Journey – with the album cover another nod to the influence of AOR’s #1 band. I can also hear a comparison to early Richard Marx, especially from singer Hendricks, but also including the band’s overall smooth and polished sound. Backing vocals are well used throughout and give already strong choruses an extra push. The album has quite a varied range of tracks.

The opening track Leap Of Faith is a breezy feel good rocker with a good tempo, whereas The Phoenix the follows is a darker, heavier and slower track. Desperate Heart provides the third change in a row, in being a first rate AOR ballad with a wonderfully soulful vocal and some fine slow guitar playing. I’ve Changed is another light uptempo rocker with a great chorus and Give Me A Chance is perfect early Richard Marx pop/rock. Take Me Home is another ballad, but more soft pop in nature. Another strong chorus helps the track stand out.

Date With Destiny and Look Me In The Eyes are both enjoyable guitar fueled rockers. Once In A Lifetime is another good uptempo melodic rocker with good harmonies and a memorable chorus. Live Your Dreams is a lighter, acoustic driven number that has a certain classic REO Speedwagon/Boston feel to it. Hollywood Movie Star closes the album with one of the album’s best tracks. A passionate vocal fits perfectly into this big Journey styled storyline track that is perfect to end the album with.

The Bottom Line:

A very good quality album made even more impressive by the fact it’s a debut release. The sound of the album isn’t quite major label quality, but the mix is perfectly balanced and the songs are all highly enjoyable. Any band would be proud to release such a strong album and this sets Bonrud up to be one to watch over the next few years. One for the classic AOR fans out there.

Discography / Previously Reviewed

· Bonrud

Line Up

· Dave Hendricks: Vocals

· Paul Bonrud: Guitar, Bass, Keyboards

· Paul Higgins: Drums

Essential for fans of:

· Richard Marx

· Lou Gramm

· Outland

Track Listing

· Leap Of Faith*

· The Phoenix

· Desperate Heart*

· I’ve Changed*

· Give Me A Chance*

· Take Me Home

· Date With Destiny

· Once In A Lifetime*

· Live Your Dreams

· Look Me In The Eyes

· Hollywood Movie Star*

–*Best Tracks

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Rick Forsgren and Paul Bonrud did an interview with the Steve Price Rock Show on ARfm. The Bonrud segment featuring two of our songs and our interview starts around 20 minutes into the podcast.

You can listen to it here:

http://www.mixcloud.com/arfm/steve-price-rock-show-sunday-26th-august-2012/

Rick Forsgren and I did an interview for Power of Metal which you can read here. Many thanks to Patrik for taking the time to interview us and review the new Bonrud CD! 🙂

http://www.powerofmetal.dk/line_em_up/bonrud_lineemup.html

The podcast of the fun interview Rick Forsgren and I did with Paul Nicholls on his Live and Loud program yesterday on ARfm has been posted. The Bonrud segment begins at around 19:30. We really had a great time chatting as you can hear! 🙂

http://www.mixcloud.com/arfm/paul-nicholls-live-and-loud-september-4th-2012/