“I’m not one for looking back and reminiscing but I can’t help to still liking the soundtracks to movies like St Elmo’s Fire and Top Gun. Soundtracks filled with pseudo hardrock , or AOR if you like. There’s something to the music in these movies that makes me feel good. Don’t know what it is about the music that puts me in that mode but I gotta admit that I like the feeling. Bonrud’s album “Save Tomorrow” does that to me too…”

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“I was surprised in the best way of all, by the track that was featured onto the double CD compiled by Andrew McNiece for his MelodicRock.com N°9. So I was quite ecstatic while putting this album into my CD player. With fun & sexy cover-art, “Save Tomorrow” by BONRUD is the sophomore effort by this straight out of the 80s melodic Hard Rock band, created by guitar player Paul Bonrud helped by talented high pitched vocalist Rick Forsgren. The team surely took its time to provide the best work possible as “Save Tomorrow” is indeed only the first release for this project in eight years…”

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This album was produced by none other than Keith Olsen, who’s illustrious career has taken in working on albums by rock luminaries such as Whitesnake, the Scorpions and Ozzy, and if you’re a fan of those first two bands, then this album is definitely worth investigating…

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Paul Bonrud es un músico poco conocido aun por el público A.O.R. Ya en 2004 lanzó con Frontiers su debut bajo el nombre de “Bonrud” y demostró tener el talento para crear un buen disco de Hard Rock, con temas alegres y muy amenos, en mi opinión de los diez mejores de aquel año dentro de su género.

Ocho años ha tardado en volver y durante ese tiempo ha mejorado su técnica, perfeccionándola para ofrecer un gran disco y demostrar si cabe, que el nombre “Bonrud” es garantía de calidad…

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Hard Rock Haven Reviews “Save Tomorrow”

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10

It’s been a long time coming, but melodic rockers Bonrud are finally back with the follow-up to their 2004 self-titled debut album. The new album is titled Save Tomorrow and beneath the vivid super-heroine cover by Adriana Melo (of Star Wars: Empire and Witchblade fame) is an album that’s as soaring and inspired as the title and artwork suggests.

This time around, guitarist/bassist/main songwriter Paul Bonrud and drummer Paul Higgins are joined by vocalist Rick Forsgren, a singer many listeners are going to want to know more about after hearing this album. Keyboards were supplied by Eric Ragno, Dave Gross and Richard Baker. Production and mixing were handled by Bonrud as well as Grammy-winner Keith Olsen, whose work on albums by Journey, Foreigner and Whitesnake (among many others), made him the perfect person to handle an album like this with the classic melodic rock sound so obviously in mind.

Stylistically, Bonrud hits that sweet spot between the classic ‘80s AOR of Journey, Foreigner and Loverboy and the more recent European melodic rock of Khymera, Work of Art and the Magnificent. Save Tomorrow is a remarkably consistent album that’s just loaded with killer guitar hooks and melodies, and an unforgettable vocal performance. Forsgren has a strong, steady midrange voice that can jump a couple of octaves seemingly out of nowhere to give these songs an extra kick. He’s a perfect match for Bonrud’s deft guitar work…

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT HARD ROCK HAVEN…

“Bonrud: For Lovers of Classic Rock”

When I was asked to review this band and album I had no idea what to expect, so with some researching and belting out a few tunes, I can honestly say that this album has totally blown me away and has already given me consideration of being in my top 10 albums for 2012.

‘Bonrud’ who are established in Minneapolis, might be a strange name for an American band, giving the impression of AC/DC’s legends ‘Bon’ Scott and Phil ‘Rudd’, but the reason is quite simply that the band is named after its main figure – namely, the guitarist Paul Bonrud and he is joined by the talented vocalist Minneapolis’ Rick Forsgren, well-known for his four octave range.

Paul Bonrud engineered and co-produced the album with six-time Grammy winner Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, etc.).

The US rock band Bonrud return with album number two, the first in eight years ‘Save Tomorrow,’ and if you are into tasty and accessible melodic hard rock, then you can’t go wrong with this one. ‘Save Tomorrow’ album is a great mix of melodic & heavy rock, thrown in for good measure are some catchy songs that are going to please a wide variety of music fans, especially the massive choruses and perfect harmonies…

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT THE ROCK PIT…

 Thanos at Grande Rock Reviews “Save Tomorrow”

I had almost forgotten of that project until I saw it on my promo list and was surprised for a second. I was trying to remember when the last time I had heard from the guys was, and I realized it was 8 years ago. I remember they had an AOR approach in their music mostly influenced by Journey & Survivor but are things the same nowadays?

First things first, there’s a new singer behind the mic. Honestly, I was struggling to recall what he reminded me of… his voice was so familiar… till his name came to me out of nowhere. Holy crap, Rick “Four Octave” Forsgren used to be the singer of the great – but so underground and underrated – hard rock band called Conditioned Response! Can anyone recall them out there? Well, I think the time has come so as to present their debut in the following weeks… but this ain’t the matter here. Anyhow, I was taken by surprise when I listened to Rick again after so many years. Believe me, his voice is still as amazing and warm as it used to be.

Paul Bonrud began working with Rick Forsgren when the first one relocated to Minnesota. As you can understand the project has taken a more rockin’ direction than in the past. It’s not an AOR band anymore… how could it be… as Rick’s voice is way more powerful plus he has a great range. I can also spot some Conditioned Response features in the band’s sound. Fairly enough, I like them better now as they seem to be in the right music way… (more at the link)

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT GRANDE ROCK

READ THE REVIEW HERE

Artist:  Bonrud
Title: Save Tomorrow
Label: Escape Music

‘Save Tomorrow’ is the long await new album for multi-instrumentalist Paul Bonrud and powerhouse vocalist Rick Forsgren, together with drummer Paul Higgins, along with the keyboard skills of Richard Baker, Eric Ragno, and Dave Gross.

The album has been labeled as Melodic Rock but to me its just a great Rock album that mixes melodic elements with a harder edged guitar sound that ventures into the Metal genre from time to time.

Things get underway in emphatic style and pace with the storming ‘We Collide’, where we feel the full force of the guitars of Bonrud and powerhouse vocals of Forsgren.  This is a hell of an opener and really give you a feel of what this album is all about.

The big driven guitars of Bonrud lead the way on the excellent ‘Bullet In The Back’, where Forsgren unleashes a vocal attack that is second to none, the all guns blazing ‘American Dream’ is pure Hard Rock gold.  This is old school, big riffing guitars with a solid vocal and a great chorus.

It’s to the more traditional Melodic Rock sound with the title track ‘Save Tomorrow’, with Forsgren showing what a vocal titan he is as he mixes power and poise, all this vocal might around that tight, rich guitar sound.

The tempo is brought right down with the haunting ‘Liquid Sun’, again Forsgren is just superb.  This is definitely one of my favourite tracks off the album.  The melodic rock vibe is continued with the up tempo rocker ‘I’d Do Anything’, before a little more edge is brought to proceedings with the riff fuelled ‘Last Sunrise’.

It’s time to switch things round around with the melodic rocker ‘Torn Apart’, before the modern rocker ‘Blinded’.  Two great songs, both so different but equally impressive.  Then it’s over to the pop rocker ‘Dominoes’, a track that has a very 80’s feel to it, but still packs enough punch not to be out-shadowed by the rest of the album.

The album closes with two corkers, first it’s the mellow rocker ‘You’re The One’, before the album is rounded off with the sublime ‘End Of Days’, which ends off a great album that will once again put the name of Bonrud on the lips of Melodic Rock fans the world over.

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Save Tomorrow

Out now on Escape Music

Rating – 93%

Bonrud’s debut album was, to put it mildly, influenced by Journey. From the cover illustration to the polished tunes, everything breathed the spirit of those suave Californian gentlemen.

This follow up is cut from roughly the same cloth. There’s a harder edge to the music though, combined with some Bon Jovi-esque pop sensibility. I’m reminded at times of Fifth Angel (“American Dream” for instance), partly because of singer Rick Forsgren’s voice.

Title track “Save Tomorrow” wouldn’t have been out of place on the debut, the Journey is very strong in this one. If there was any justice in the world, “I’d Do Anything” would be a massive hit.

Paul Bonrud is an excellent guitar player, who manages to seamlessly incorporate his flashy leads into the songs.

Keith Olsen took care of production duties; this album’s flawless sound is a relief in this world of home-produced demo quality CDs. The guitar tone in particular benefits.

A refreshing album.
Review by Sancho

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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