REVIEWS

Strutter Magazine

http://www.strutter.8m.com
Reviewed by: Gabor Kleinbloesem

ROB BAN ‘ABOUT GODDAMN TIME’ (INDEPENDENT)

Out of sweden comes lead singer/guitarist ROB BAN, who released a CD titled ‘About goddamn time’, containing nice updated modern AOR/Nu-Breed-Melodic Poprock like a mix between BRYAN ADAMS, MIKAEL ERLANDSSON, NELSON‘Life’ and THE OUTFIELD. Rob wrote some songs for CRYSTAL BLUE and LAST AUTUMN’S DREAM in the past, and now he presents his first solo record. It’s definitely a quality CD like only the Swedish can deliver them, so very catchy aor/poprocksongs fro start to finish. Songs like “She don’t really mind”, “Just like that”, “Brand new day” and “Hard to believe” (one of the few uptempo melodic rockers) are all very strong aor/poprocksongs with a slight modern approach, so don’t expect any pure 80s related stuff here. More info can be found on: http://www.rob-ban.com and e-mail Rob at: rob@rob-ban.com

(Points: 8.1 out of 10)

Melodic.net

http://www.melodic.net
Reviewed by: Kaj Roth

Addictive like chocolate! ,well that´s the best explanation I can give this album which is a personal fave of mine.
The singer/songwriter/producer Rob-Ban has been working on his debut for some time now and therefor the title "About goddamn time",he´s looking to release it late summer so do yourself a favour and get a copy when the time comes.
If you want to know more,read the biography on the feature on the artist of the week,now to the songs.
I wanna fly: The opening song is like a warm summer breeze,the whistle melody on the keyboards just won´t leave my head and the uptempo driven beat makes the legs swing like Ginger Rogers on dope...all in all a perfect choice for a killer single to be played on radio night and day for the next 10 years.
She don´t really mind: This was the first song I heard on demo from the recording sessions of this album and I knew right away that Rob-Ban was right on track finding his own style of cathy modern pop/rock,this Aussie rock sounding tune is my fave on the album and has everything a fantastic pop/rock song should have......great verse with amazing guitarplaying,a floating bridge that will lead you into a skyscraper chorus-oh man top score or what!!!
Just like that: 3rd out is a super groovy mid tempo tune with a nice pumping bass behind the wall guitars that suits the sound just fine,the pre-chorus on this lovely rocker is perhaps the best one of the entire album.....I can see in front of me how everyone on the beaches of Santa Monica sings along in the words "She´s so fine,no I can´t resist her,and she´s all mine,no one can take her away from me".
I also love the way Rob-Ban takes up his voice on a higher note on the 2nd verse with the cool line "She´s got an ass that makes a porn star blush",and then ofcourse the chorus once again that should make Bryan Adams proud of having written it.
When minutes turn to hours: One of the most poppy sounding songs on the album,the bassline on the verses are nothing but excellent-why not play airbass instead of airguitar for a change?!,since I had something to do with the composition of this song I can´t be too objective but all I can say is that I am damn proud of how it turned out,marvellous work Rob!
Too far away: A more rootsy rocker with 80´s feeling in the chorus,I have a hard time liking the verse but then again.....you can´t exactly love every single thing on a record now can ya?,anyway it´s a nice organ solo by Watchie.

Half time like they say in football or in other words,first half of the record done and now jump in to the 2nd half.

Brand new day: A fresh new start in life is something many people should need or consider for one reason or another,"Today I´m starting all over"sings Rob-Ban in the chorus and there´s a meaning behind those words that was important for Rob and could mean something for me and you too,this song works as a halfballad too coz it feels good to dance to it with your lady close in your arms,the first impression is that it´s a midtempo song that easily could be a true rocker on stage but on acoustic guitar.....not an eye in sight will be dry,a beautiful song indeed!
Hard to believe: Every album needs a rocker that you can jump like crazy too and here´s that one,ok it´s a flirt with the 80´s and feels a bit ordinary but the AOR smelling chorus is hard not to love if you´re an AOR freak.
I´m still: Rob recorded an EP with 3 songs last year with this one as the leading track,I did a review of it on melodic.net so check it out....I´m glad that the guitars are more rough on the album mix coz the EP felt a bit too poppy.
It´s all right: The only ballad of the album with some Bruce Hornsby sounding piano parts,I still think it needs a better chorus but it´s an ok song.
Tonight: Along with "I´m still" and "Brand new day",the 3rd song taken from the EP he did,this one is a grower that doesn´t leave any bigger impressions the first time you hear it but after a few turns in the stereo it will stick to your skin like a leech.
Ex: I guess Rob-Ban needed to get out some anger and frustration about an ex-girlfriend in his life coz this song is the most hard rocking on AGT and possibly also a perfect stage rocker.....nothing to get excited about but it works to settle the balance right for the album to be a little varied and not too mainstream.
I have heard many albums and bands from Orebro,Sweden (Dream Hunter,Motherlode,Crystal Blue,Millencolin,Lolita Pop,Big Deal) but this one is among the best ones made so far.

Get Ready To Rock

http://www.getreadytorock.com
Review by: Jason Ritchie

Sweden seems to be a hotbed of all things rock and Rob Ban joins the ranks of the ‘must hear’. Musically it would most probably be classed as ‘nu breed of melodic rock’ - don’t you just love these musical tags? To these ears it is an album chock full of breezy pop rock tunes like ‘ I Wanna Fly’ (has to be a single this one) and ‘Just Like That’. The songs have modern loops/synths which beef-up the core bass/guitar/drum sound.Excellent production throughout by Ban himself and Kenny Elfstrom lays down some cracking guitar solos but without ruining the overall sound of the songs.Rob Ban has a great set of vocals, with nearest comparison would be prime time Rick Springfield ot the criminally under rated Jude Cole. Only ‘I’m Still’ wanes after repeated plays, otherwise the tunes remain in your head and provide the prefect soundtrack for summer!

RockUnited

http://www.aor-europe.com
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Here's yet another (very) interesting artist, from Sweden of course, that works in the same pop/rock formula as Jamie Meyer (last years all-around favorite here at RockUnited), Mikael Erlandsson, and Martin Stenmarck. This would obviously mean that "About Goddamn Time", is filled with sweet, poppy, melodies and catchy hooks?? I wouldn't go as far as saying, he's just as good as the three above, but he's not 'that' far behind either. To keep it simple, if you enjoy these Swedes, there's no real reason to why you shouldn't enjoy this too.Rob-Ban (eller Robban i Sverige?), has been contributing with material to the latest albums with "Crystal Blue" (MTM) and "Last Autum's Dream's" (Frontiers). He used to be the 'Slyside' singer in the past, some ten years ago in Örebro/Sweden, where he's still based by the way. The album will see its light-of-day later this summer and it's definitely something to look out for. "About Goddamn Time" was recorded and mixed by Jens Bogren, whom did an excellent work with Crystal Blue's "Detour". The vocals are "blessed" with those typical Sweeeeedish accents (which Scandi-fans seem to love), and it's all very cozy and Scandinavian somehow. Tracks like "I Wanna Fly", She Don't Really Mind", "Just Like That", "When Minutes Turn To Hours" (very much alike Erlandsson), "Brand New Day", and "I'm Still", are all winners in my book. The Ikea version of rock... ehem... just slam it in your CD player and turn up the volume. Find out more about this up and coming artist at the site below.

DiscoveringArtists.com

http://www.discoveringartists.com
Reviewed by: Kristen Pasculli

This Swedish artist has commerciability oozing out of him, because his music is energetic and smooth. Soaring vocals put the touch on this electronically-based album. There are lots of studio sounds, and the album is professional in sound. I'd compare him to all the great 80s rockers...Brett Michaels...the Extreme dudes. It's kind of like a time warp but I'm telling you, that stuff is coming back. As far as the album, it doesn't contain a lot of gut-wrenching vocals or lyrics, but sometimes you need a CD that allows you to escape. Ban has the vocals and sound to do just this, which makes this a refreshing listen. It doesn't meld with the normal sappy guitar-strummin' usual tunes here on DA, but hey, we love variety. I would have liked to hear his less-energetic side, a softer tune more like "It's All Right", but it was a fun listen nevertheless.
Favorite Tracks: Just Like That, It's All Right
Rating: 3.5 stars

Kings Of A&R

http://www.kingsofar.com
Reviewed by:?

Rob-Ban – Orebro, Sweden. Talented/experienced singer/songwriter that crafts ultra-catchy pop/rock. Has performed in the Sweden band Slyside, the L.A. group Sonic Pilots, worked as a producer for two years, and recently collaborated with the band Crystal Blue. Currently shopping an 11-track recording. Music is dynamic, diverse and engaging. Commercially viable. For more information and to request music contact Kaj Roth at delpierorock@hotmail.com.

Melodic.net

http://www.melodic.net
Reviewed by: Kaj Roth

Can anything good come out of something bad?!, ofcourse it can,in this case for singer Rob E. who lost his voice because of an infection in the throat and couldn´t sing for 8 months while he was living in the states, went back to his homecountry Sweden and recorded this EP.
The result turned out to be a major turning point for this guy who never have sang this good, I heard him the first time with his hard rocking band Slyside and their mini album "Slightly crazy" in 92,but that is no way near this.
The music on these new 3 songs are more modern rock/pop in the same vein as Martin Stenmarck,very mature melodies and a groovy production from Jens Bogren who also did a perfect job on AOR´sters Crystal Blue´s comeback "Detour".
Rob has only brought guitarplayer Kenny of his old bandmates with him to play on this fresh piece of work,when I listened to it the first time I thought that the title track "I´m still" felt like the right choice to promote his music and it is a strong melodic song with hitpotential but let me tell you.....the other two ones are just as good or even better,"Brand new day" is my fave that should take this guy to sign a deal with a record label out there or else there ain´t no justice in this world, magnificent chorus!
Last track "Tonight" just gets better and better with maybe the most AOR feeling in it´s refrain of them all,Rob will enter the studio in July again to record 4-5 new songs and if those hold the same high class as this EP.......we´re talking pencils,papers,contract!....anything else would be just as stupid as saying the Lords of the ring trilogy is a low budget gutter story.

Dead Frog Records

http://www.deadfrogrecords.com
Reviewed by: Peter Å
MEDIA: CD
SOUND: Good
SONGS: 3
PROFESSIONALISM: Good

GENERAL OPINION: Rock. It’s quite funny to receive a demo from your old music teacher! Actually, Robin probably doesn’t know that it was during his lectures that Dead Frog Records started and he did that unbelievably fine guitar solo on our first real studio demo. The demo sounded awful, by the way, but even so! After that he played in Slyside and the music on this demo isn’t too far from that. It’s gone more towards Martin Stenmarc, who recently released an album himself but I’m not sure what happened with that.
The problem with this sort of music is that it’s a bit too well produced. The soul disappears.
You forget the most important thing, which is that there has to be a hook for the
listener to grab hold of - it can’t just be well-produced.
I quote a band which also comes from the same rehearsal studio,
Millencolin, ‘...But it looks good, just as it should’