(Melodic Hard Rock/AOR) Rainmaker - RainMakeЯ - 2000, APE (image+.cue) lossless

Rainmaker is a studio project that has taken 2 years to complete. Over the years recordings have been scrapped and re-started during the pursuit of the ultimate hard rock release. The Rainmaker album had been a dream of Z label boss Mark Alger and is the first album for Z on which he has had a hands on involvement form start to finish. In 1999 Prisoner signed to the label , TOMMY DENANDER had already been in regular contact with Mark for many years and when he was told of the Rainmaker master plan he said "Hey , try to outline what you want such as direction etc". After receiving notes Tommy immediately gave the ok for his involvement on the album. The project now had a World Class guitarist, next step was the vocalist and the logical step was GEIR RONNING of Prisoner , his vocals have been noted within the press as some of best vocal work to come out Europe in recent years. Preproduction demos where recorded and by March 2000 6 songs had been given the green light for the album. At last a firm release could be set ! It was important to everyone that they found a bass player capable of the input required for such a project. The search led Mark to California the now home of Superstar English bass player TONY FRANKLIN known for his work with such legendary acts such as The Firm, Blue Murder, and Whitesnake. Upon hearing the material Tony quickly responded and agreed to cover bass duties on the album.
nehrecords.com

Rainmaker is mainly the brainchild of Z Records and therefore one of their major releases. The band is primarily comprised of guitarist/producer Tommy Denander, his vocalist Geir Ronning and bass player extraordinaire Tony Franklin.
Denander has been involved in several projects of late and Geir was also with him on the Prisoner album, also for Z Records.
Rainmaker have bravely undertaken the task of recording a big stadium rock sounding album.
Denander's guitar work and production style naturally lends itself to this style, so it is not big surprise to see them pull the stadium style off well.
The album however still feels like a studio creation, rather than a live rock band at work.
The vocals are solid, the bass playing the outstanding standard we would expect from Tony and the guitar work great, but there is a programmed feel to the rest of the music.
The sound of the album is comparable to Prisoner, with also parts Giant and Talk Of The Town.
Opening track Rainmaker is one of the best tracks and has some huge backing vocals and a big stadium feel to it.
Father Of Your Sins is very much in the style of US rockers Giant on their songs like Chained. A big rock sound and a little funky.
Nancy Hold On continues some of that Giant guitar sound, but has a more polished European feel and a chorus in the vein of the more Westcoast Talk Of The Town record.
Kay starts of a little heavier, the drum sound is a little more attacking and there's plenty of guitar tricks, plus good lead and harmony vocals.
Seriously has a great build up to the start of the track - it's a little more dramatic in it's approach until the chorus catches you by surprise - the accompanying music drops away completely to leave only a soft Toto style vocal. A very good and quite original song.
Sound Of My Heart is another cool tune, a big acoustic driven power ballad with a slightly haunting vocal.
Going Insane is an aggressive, darker track with some menacing vocal effects - interesting!
Blood Brother Run sounds a little like Thin Lizzy in it's vocal sound and musical approach. It's one of the heaviest tracks of the album.
Passion Again is another highlight track - back to the uptempo AOR of the likes of Prisoner and Talk Of The Town.
Bad Call & King Of Fools are both darker tracks, but lack a little something in getting the listeners attention.
BOTTOM LINE: An album that for me wasn't as strong as I had hoped. There are some great AOR moments in the first half of the record, but the second half didn't seem as strong. There is certainly nothing wrong with the production and I dare say that anyone that found great happiness with the Prisoner and Talk Of The Town records will find this equally as pleasing.
PRODUCTION: 85% SONGS: 75% VIBE: 70% ATTITUDE: 80%
ESSENTIAL FOR: All fans of Tommy Denander and fans of stadium rock European style.
melodicrock.com

Geir Roenning Lead & Backing Vocals
Tommy Denander Guitars, Keyboards, Bass & Programming
Tony Franklin Bass
Walter Dego Drums, Percussion
Additional musicians:
Roger Albinsson (backing vocals)
Jesse Nylander (hammond)
Thomas Vikstrom (backing vocals)
Produced by: Tommy Denander
Recorded at: The HIT MEN, Stockholm, Sweden, Woodcliff Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA and Studio Rays, Buffalo, NY
Mastered at: Soundhouse Studios, Liverpool, UK
Mixed at: The HIT MEN studio
Engineered by: Tommy Denander, Frank Rosato, John Jessel, Mike Ronick