It can’t be easy being a new band in this day and age. No matter how much praise you get, it’s extremely difficult to climb up to the level to become a huge band. Take Sweden’s Melodic Rock/AOR act Perfect Plan for example. They’re a bunch of middle-aged blokes who decided that enough was enough when it came to playing covers and started to write original material instead. That was in 2016. In 2018 they released their debut All Rise and got raving reviews everywhere with every Melodic Rock loving fan holding their praise. The follow up Time For A Miracle showed up two years later and got pretty much the same praise as the debut. But it was by the same fans, pretty much and their popularity didn’t really grow all that much. Must be a bit frustrating especially when you really deserve it like this band does.
For singer Kent Hilli, though, it meant some recognition as a singer. The guy has a splendid voice with a wide range who pulls off everything he does on record live which hasn’t passed by unnoticed. In 2021 he released a damn fine solo record and he also became the new singer in Giant and in 2023 an album called T3nors will show up featuring Hilli, Toby Hitchcock and Robbie LeBlanc. But now, two years later, Perfect Plan is back with their third release, an album that is said to be a bit more rough-edged than the last two albums. If that will better the band and have them moving forward remains to be seen, but what I do know is that I expect much when it comes to this lot.
They open the album with the leading single “Surrender” and it is a rougher Perfect Plan that shows up here. It’s a mid-paced rocker that sounds like Perfect Plan all the way. The big guitar sound is in focus here, a guitar that crunches on with the energetic organ bringing on a Classic Rock style to blend with the Melodic Rock laden melodies. A distinct and powerful chorus throws out big hooks and to me this is a hit. Very good. It’s followed by the uptempo and straight forward AOR meets Melodic Rock number “If Love Walks In”. It’s smoother than the opener but it’s still groovy and holds a Sammy Hagar era Van Halen meets Survivor touch full of slick melodies, contagious hooks and a chorus so full of hit-potential half would be enough. A killer song that should be a single.
Second single “Can’t Let You Win” is an upbeat rocker, melodic enough with some raunchy metal-fueled riffage and a hard-hitting rhythm. Even though the verses are a bit more held-back the song is more hard-rocking with a bigger grit and edge and a rougher outlook but with the smoother kind of melodies that screams Perfect Plan all the way. The chorus is right on the spot with a direct catchiness. Good stuff indeed. “Gotta Slow Me Down” is a chunky Classic Rock smelling rocker with a raunchy guitar, a rough organ and a big groovy swing. With a chunky live-feel, the song comes across as a mixture of old Aerosmith and late 80’s Europe with a distinct, hooky chorus on top. Very good.
“Stop The Bleed” starts out with a stripped and sparse intro with a low-key guitar and spoken-word. It goes into a slow and ballady vibe, mellow and down-beat but takes a heavier approach with the pre-chorus. The big chorus speeds the song up some with an upbeat and driving spirit where the Deep Purple influenced riffing rubs shoulders with a more AOR laden main melody and a distinct hook. Great tune. The album’s big ballad “My Angel” is one of those slick yet bombastic late 80’s sounding, lighter-in-the-air kind, sweetened up with smooth and glossy melodies. It’s a power ballad that would’ve been on high rotation on MTV back in the day. Terrific.
“Devil’s Got The Blues” is a heavier take on AOR/Melodic Rock. The band brings on a bluesy, 70’s Classic Rock twist with a roaring guitar, pumping bass and a fat, beefy drum rhythm which brings on a very live friendly, dynamic groove, something that blends splendidly with the late 80’s sounding melodies. This is AOR with a crunchy edge and a bulls eye chorus as the icing on the cake. Damn good. They continue that path with the uptempo and concise rocker “Bring Me A Doctor”. It’s a more hard-rocking tune in a faster tempo, quite in your face with a cohesive main melody and a gutsy punch. It’s a song fueled with energy and a firey spark where the melodies are strong but not as AOR-ish as they usually are. A good tune that could work well as a live opener.
“Still Undefeated” is a huge Arena Rock number, not a far cry from the sound of Europe’s Prisoners In Paradise (1991). With a catchy yet kick-ass riff that could’ve come right out of Anders Wikström’s (Treat) back pocket, a big, fat keyboard roar and a ballsy rhythm, the song is perfect for arenas. The song rocks with an instant catchiness where every melody has a chunky hook and a big refrain that’s pure glue to the brain. Very good. “Emelie” is a very 80’s sounding slower pop-fueled semi-ballad that holds the album’s glossiest outlook. With smooth, clean guitars, slick keyboards and sugary melodies, the song is an AOR-pop piece that sticks to the brain no matter if you want it to or not. It’s a good track albeit a bit too saccharine for me sound-wise.
They close the album with the upbeat and straight forward AOR rocker “Walk Through Fire”. Again, I hear Hagar-era Van Halen here in their most AOR moments. The chuggy guitars, the crunchy grooves and the steady and solid bass lines keeps most of the glossiness at bay here and makes the song rock and even though it’s a slick tune it never becomes cheesy or sticky. It’s an easily embraced number with an almost annoyingly glueing main melody and a chorus you’d need a lobotomy to get rid of. This should be a single. Good one.
Yes, this is a heavier album – the band’s heaviest yet – but make no mistake, we’re not talking Heavy Metal here. It’s not even a Hard Rock album even though such elements rises here and there. This is as much an AOR meets Melodic Rock album as the previous two, it’s just a little grittier with inserts of both Hard Rock and Classic Rock and a heavier use of an organ instead of synths. Quality wise it’s a really good album too but I find the two previous ones slightly stronger. The musical performances of all members are of course faultless and Hilli’s voice is always a joy to listen to. For fans of this genre this album should not disappoint.
7/10
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Tracklist:
1. Surrender
2. If Love Walks In
3. Can’t Let You Win
4. Gotta Slow Me Down
5. Stop The Bleed
6. My Angel
7. Devil’s Got The Blues
8. Bring Me A Doctor
9. Still Undefeated
10. Emelie
11. Walk Through Fire
CD & Festival reviews 