RockUnited - The enemy within (01/07) The ex-Grand Illusion boys (Anders Rydholm - gtr, bass, keys & Ola Af Trampe - gtr) are finally back on track with a brand new Melodic Rock platter. It's already been a few old years since we last could hear some new music (Ordinary Just Won't Do - 2004) and there's certainly been several and major changes along the way. It's time to wave goodbye to yesterday's news and say hello and welcome to the future Code of pink and fluffy rock music. It's not quite as much over-the-top or even music executed with a pompous agenda anymore. In fact, "The Enemy Within" is a sophisticated and matured album that simply oozes of sheer and pure rock class. You could say it's a close-to-perfect mix of Scandinavian and U.S. melodies in the vein of Toto, House Of Lords, Giant, Grand Illusion. And that's also so friggin' great about Code, you can't really pin-point or nail down their sound, since it's a lovely mish-mash of all the stuff that AOR dreams are made of. It's very "progressive" at times and the interlude between Rydholm's keys and Trampe's guitar is impressive to say the least. Code's frontman is a stage veteran from the late 70 & 80's U.S. scene and a sadly underrated vocalist in the genre of Westcoast and AOR. Not always in the spotlight of things, Sherwood Ball (Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather) would perhaps be more considered as a 'musicians musician'. Not always a household name as the wild frontfigure of a rock act either and more often recognized as the voice behind songs for tv-shows, films, and commercials (Hanging With Mr. Cooper, Mama's House, Wayne's World, 102 Dalmatians, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Toyota, Budweiser, etc). He's got a great set of pipes though and would probably end up just below the ranks of Michael Bolton and Steve Overland. No need to go further than the excellent piano ballad "How Do We Stay In Love" to find similarities to above mentioned vocal God's. By the way, Ball is responsible for all the lyrics and this song and its message goes straight to/for the heart!!! Highlights of the album will have to be the impressive titletrack and "Sign Up For Love" which show that Code know how to write those smooth yet stormy rockers with the best of them. "Sworn To Silence" is a friggin' marvelous ballad (goosebumps warning) with outstanding vocal harmonies in the typical 80's tradition of Chicago and World Trade. Extra kudos to top-notch drummer Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Steve Vai, Satriani, Toto, etc) and the darn fine production by Rydholm/Ball. The Bottomline: You tired of the same old stereo typed AOR of today? Have a go at the Code and you'll be scratching your head for weeks!!! Reviewed by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom http://www.rockunited.com/