I’ve been waiting for this one and the wait was worth it. GRAND DESIGN will blow you away with hooks galore; crushing guitar licks and just a memorizing release. These guys have the power of the super group DEF LEPPARD yet adding a fresh vibe. I heard many releases this year and I think this release could be the one that stands out above all rest.

The opening track “Love Sensation” sets the mood for something special and GRAND DESIGN deliver the goods; I mean what a spectacle of high flying leads and classic rock drive that makes the songs on “Time Elevation” jump out. Notice I said songs from start to finish; these boys have what it takes to be the next multiplatinum artist.

Great writing means a lot but if you don’t have the hooks and musicianship to accompany that you fall into that unknown category, not here GRAND DESIGN makes the grade and big time. Check out “Slugged Out”; oh my god just chilling. Harmonies are a big element to bands like DEF LEPPARD and many others, and GRAND DESIGN have mastered that big time too; you really have to hear these guys to believe it. I am sure they will get the comparison to DEF LEPPARD with the harmonies but GRAND DESIGN takes it to another level and these guys ROCK. This isn’t some goodie two-shoe candy ass band, they actually ROCK.

One thing I love about GRAND DESIGN is they hit you with some tantalizing soft melodic guitar then hit hard, real hard, and you will hear that on “Air It Out”…

Pelle Saether’s vocals are to simply put it… outstanding; they go from a soft whisper to mind-bending. This guy has range and when he hooks up with the harmonies it’s just godly.

Another killer tune is “Piece Of The Action”, ya know you never hear too much about drummers but Richard Holmgren brings back the solid sound level of arena rock. I love the hard-edge and the production that brings the drums to that full sound. Peter Ledin and Dennis Vestman guitars go off the hook on this one also.

On “Sad Sound Of Goodbye” listening to Pelle Saether vocals he has a little bit of Steve Perry to his voice. Check the tune out and see what you think. This is an excellent ballad.

Give me a little funk rock… I love the track “Sheik Iddup” maybe a little taste of ADAM ANT’s music with a hard rock sound set the track on a tailspin. Soft, Hard whatever you want to call it, it’s a killer track.

The acoustics of a sentimental ballad “Love Will Know” ends “The Elevation”. This very tasteful ending shows not only can GRAND DESIGN rock they can bring tears to your eyes with a soft ballad.

GRAND DESIGN was recommended to me by Johnny Forslund Melodic Editor Promoter in Sweden and he nailed it. This is one release you will see on many top ten CD’s of the year… who knows, possibly #1! But it will be on ours no mater what. This is a stunning CD that should be picked up!!!!