Lane, Lana - Red Planet Boulevard

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Think Tank Media
Catalog Number: TTMD-1053
Format: CD
Total Time: 68:57:00

I am at a loss for words. What can I say about Lana Lane that hasn't been said before? I dubbed her 2005 album Lady Macbeth her best release ever. But Lana is not the person to sit down and leave things. No, as a singer she is very progressive and always looks for new ways to release her music. Already on her debut album in 1995, Love Is An Illusion, she took on songwriting. And over the years she has been improving very much. I personally loved the songs she composed on Lady Macbeth.

But, at the end of 2007, she treats us to a brand new studio album on which she again shows what a versatile musician she is. And guess what: she wrote most songs by herself and a few together with Erik Norlander; three songs are of the hand of Mr. Norlander only. But what stands out when you look at the album the most is the line up! Just four persons! Quite a difference from past albums, where there always were many guest musicians.

So, what do you get when you add all this up? A very back-to-basics album, that sounds incredible!

With this small line up, Lana's vocals can shine like never before. Even, to my utter surprise, did Erik Norlander size down his keyboard part quite a bit. You hear the keys very subtly in the back, with here and there a modest solo, but that's it. Therefore this album has a more rock approach, somewhere between hard rock and melodic rock. And it is a very song oriented album, although according to the liner notes, there is a sort of theme: fire.

Well, you can say that, as Lana sings with such fire and passion. Even the ballads such as "Jessica" and "Lazy Summer Day" have this fire and passion, by means of the touching vocals by Lana and the passionate guitar play of Verschuren. I have been in love with Lana's vocals ever since I discovered her music some 7 years ago, but I have to admit, with Red Planet Boulevard, she manages to reach new heights in her vocal performances.

As said, Norlander toned down his keyboard part, but he shines in a new department: bass. With the recent European Tour, I have seen Erik play bass, which was a revelation to me, and on the album he shows he is pretty darn good at it. Together with Ernst van Ee, he forms quite a tight rhythm backbone to the songs. Oh, and pay attention to Ernst's drumming and hear the subtle changes he puts in ... man, he is definitely one of the best drummers around!

Although it is definitely Lana that shines on Red Planet Boulevard, there is one other person that has been given a lot more space to show his qualities: Peer Verschuren. Already from the heavy rocking opener "Into The Fire" to the ballad "Jessica," he plays it all with ease ... well, not just with ease, with style. Just listen as he lays down these heavy riffs on "The Frozen Sea" ... I can play that song over and over again and it will only get better.

Or check out "Shine," where he adds a new element to the music of Lana Lane: the Talk Box (think Peter Frampton!). This truly adds a new dimension to the sound of Ms. Lane. I had the privilege to be present when these parts were recorded and I watched it with my mouth open (to see pictures of these recordings, visit www.eschersstaircase.com/html and go to the Photo Gallery). By the way, "Shine" is definitely one of the highlights of the album. And the Talk Box will return on other songs as well...

Another very charming song, is "Angels And Magicians," which really invites you to sing or hum along; a very catchy song, that will stick in your head. And yet it offers so much beauty when you listen closely to the song. With "The Sheltering Sorrow," Lana's vocals leave us, but in what a memorable way, as she expresses so much emotion in her singing, backed by Verschuren's excellent guitars.

Yes, the closing song and title track is an instrumental and although you miss Lana's vocals, it is a very powerful song, with the recurring theme of "The Frozen Sea," as well as many other songs of the album, but also many touches of the 70s.

What more can I say? Red Planet Boulevard is one highlight. Excellent songs, fantastic vocals, amazing guitars, strong rhythm section, beautiful artwork. Each song is a jewel on this album. And every time Lana brings you to unparalleled musical heights with her beautiful voice. And Peer shreds, crunches and enchants with his virtuoso guitar play.

I love this back to basics style very much. It brings back memories of Love Is An Illusion, yet with a more modern sound and production. With this album I can't think of a better way to end 2007 and start 2008. Lana Lane has proven to be the Queen of Symphonic Rock and I think Red Planet Boulevard is definitely an excellent statement that this reign is not over...

Tracklisting:
Into The Fire / The Frozen Sea / Capture The Sun / Jessica / Stepford, USA / Shine / Lazy Summer Day / No Tears Left / Save The World / Angels And Magicians / The Sheltering Sorrow / Red Planet Boulevard

Musicians:
Lana Lane - vocals
Erik Norlander - keyboards, bass guitar
Peer Verschuren- guitars
Ernst van Ee - drums

Discography:
Love Is An Illusion (1995)
Curious Goods (1996/2002)
Garden Of The Moon (1998/2002)
Echoes From The Garden (1998)
Live In Japan (1998)
Love Is An Illusion 1998 Version (1998)
Ballad Collection (1998)
Acoustic Live in Tokyo (1999) (promotional release only)
Queen Of The Ocean (1999/2005)
Echoes From The Ocean (1999)
Secrets Of Astrology (2000/2005)
Ballad Collection (2000)
Project Shangra-La (2002)
Covers Collection (2002/2003)
Lana Lane and Erik Norlander - European Tour 2003 Souvenir CD (2003)
Winter Sessions (2003)
Return To Japan (2004)
Lady Macbeth (2005)
Gemini (2006)
Red Planet Boulevard (2007)
The Best Of Lana Lane 2000-2008 (2008)

Storybook - Tales From Europe And Japan (2004) (DVD)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: December 30th 2007
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.lanalane.com
Hits: 3181
Language: english