Description
Medieval Death LP and free DVD + Mordicus “Rights ‘n Trials” LP. Official videos, audio, info.
Rockland = 2x Platinum Studio album by Kim Mitchell
Released: 1989
Genre: Rock
Length: 46:27
Label: Alert, Atlantic
Producer: Kim Mitchell, Pat Mastelotto
SAMPLES: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/rockland/id41814531
Rockland is the third solo album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1989 and is certified double platinum in Canada.
Kim Mitchell was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career.
Rockland blew into the Record Shops back in 1989 and Kim Mitchell was selling mega units of all his records at the time. Why not as they were all fantastic releases!
Rockland though shows a different kinda side of Mitchell. A little more older chill like vibe with some of the albums Ten Tracks and kinda a smart move for Kim at the time.
Course everyone in Canada still hears the tunes ‘Rocklandwonderland’ and ‘Rock N Roll Duty’ which are Kim radio staples still to this day and in his live show ! Rocklandwonderland features a real slick groove which has some great backing vocals courtesy of Kim’s long-time side kick Peter Fredette along with some ass kicking Strat guitar work from the man himself Kim especially on Rock N Roll Duty! Check a live clip below of Kim and Band playing the title track in front of a bunch of Canadian Drunks!
But when you dig sonically deeper in Rockland the albums other seven tracks are definitely worth exploring. Second song in titled Lost Lovers Found has Kim lifting his foot off the gas pedal and taking it easy and perhaps maybe looking for a hit perhaps at the time!
Rockland is almost an introspective album at the time. Kim as he always does writes all the music while all the lyrics were handled by Pye Dubois. Relationship songs abound on this album. ‘Tangle of Love/Mood Street/The Crossroads/O Mercy Louise and The Great Embrace’ all tell the tale of relationships gone good or bad!
Now don’t think for a second that Rockland is a mellow affair. It isn’t as Kim as he always does lays down the law with some fine axemanship on this record. Akimbo tosses down some slick picking while chomping down on some power riffs throughout.
Rik Emmett makes a special guest appearance and plays some slick classical guitar on the fantastic ‘Expedition Sailor’ which combines both Emmett and Mitchell’s talents on the six string!
I have to add the drum work of Lou Molino is simply amazing. Lou’s drums sound real slick on this record. Crisp courtesy of the production by Kim himself. Molino tosses in some tempo changes which just keeps the songs themselves interesting from the get go!
Rockland was a great revisit and it was one of those finds that once I seen it on the shelf at the local pawn shop it was a quick grab!
**- That’s the 80’s for ya as Rockland was recorded in Five different studios!
Track listing:
“Rocklandwonderland” (Kim Mitchell, Pye Dubois)-4:19
“Lost Lovers Found” (Mitchell, Dubois)-5:07
“Rock n Roll Duty” (Mitchell, Dubois)-3:20
“Tangle of Love” (Mitchell, Dubois)-4:45
“Moodstreet” (Mitchell, Dubois)-4:23
“The Crossroads” (Mitchell, Dubois)-4:25
“Expedition Sailor” (Mitchell, Dubois)-4:25
“O Mercy Louise” (Mitchell, Dubois)-3:58
“This Dream” (Mitchell, Dubois)-4:33
“The Great Embrace” (Mitchell, Dubois, Booth)5:29
Total Running Time: 46:47
Rockland was released internationally on the Atlantic Records label.
Personnel:
Kim Mitchell vocals, guitars
Lou Molino drums
Mattew Gerrard bass
Greg Wells keyboards, backing vocals [Alannah Myles]
Kim Bullard keyboards [Robin Beck, Stan Bush, Enuff Z’Nuff, Fiona, Jimi Jamison, Marc Jordan, Richie Kotzen, Steve Lukather, Richard Marx, Eddie Money etc.]
Peter Fredette backing vocals [Alannah Myles, Stan Meissner]
Rik Emmett guest acoustic guitar [Triumph, Lee Aaron]
Keyboard heavy but great songs. Probably Kim’s most consistent album, I certainly can’t find a bad track on this one. Rocklandwonderland is a fantastic song, and the Acoustic guitar (by Rik Emmett) on Expedition Sailor is gorgeous. If you only buy one KM CD this is a must have.
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I decided to buy another copy of Rockland recently because I listened to the first CD I bought of this and totally wore it out. He was starting to emotionally mature as an artist but still kept his party sensibilities. If you like Kim Mitchell and want to get a good album, this is it. “Rock n Roll Duty” is one of the best songs from the album. “This Dream” shows a softer of Kim Mitchell. “Rockland” ties the album together and it is one of the catchiest songs on the album. He has a new album out called “Aint Life Wonderful?” Good listen and highly recommend.
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He does not get to show off too much of his guitar skills on this one, but for those who like lite aor, this is a nice listen. “Rocklandwonderland” is my favorite off of this.
Kim is great artist ! All his albums are worth having ! A genius !
I think this has to be my fave Kim Mitchell album. Too many perfect tracks!! Expedition Sailor is an easy favourite as is This Dream, Crossroads, Lost Lovers Found…heck all of ’em. Again he effortlessly glides between rockers and beautiful slower songs.
“Tangle of love” for all you romantic freaks out there.The guy is a genius….Sir Kim Mitchell!! Now that has a good ring.
Another spinning after so many years and the only thing i can say is that if you like rocking songs with that AOR touch then this albums 4 ya!!!…Kim has that particular way of singing his songs (some of them are really like if hes just talking to himself or to another person)and musically talking he rocks…”Tangle Of Love” is my favourite song with that smooth feel,lovely indeed but add to that “The Crossroads”,”O Mercy Louise”,”This Dream” & “The Great Embrace”…top notch album IMHO…94/100
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5.0 out of 5 stars Toronto Rockers’ finest album.
Former MAX WEBSTER lead singer and guitarist, Kim Mitchell really delivers a hard rock album here. From the opening notes to ROCKLAND WONDERLAND, ROCK AND ROLL DUTY and EXPEDITION SAILOR
Mitchell’s guitars and awesome vocal patterns really shine on this recording. Mitchell once again teams up with Lyricist Pye Dubois who Mitchell has worked with since his days in Max Webster and Dubois’ lyrics really capture your imagination as he has an uncanny knack for reflecting on the lives of the millions of Mitchell’s Canadian rock fans, he identifies with the listener and this being Mitchell’s 3rd full length album, we can expect more from this Toronto based Canadian rock legend.
Kim Mitchell of Max Webster fame offers us a slice of some finely crafted arena rock. The title track, ‘Rock N Roll Duty‘ and ‘Expedition Sailor‘ were staples on FM stations in 1989 and 1990 and the rest of the album showcases Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois ability to craft intelligent harmonies. Kim continues to showcase his guitar prowess although scaled back from his two previous solo albums and his days as the leader of Max Webster. All in all, a great slice of AOR/arena rock from one of Canada’s most prominent talents.
Only Kim Mitchell could make music this “slick” and “commercial” consistently interesting and unpredictable. Solid 4-star effort all-around. Favorite tracks are the uptempo “Crossroads”, and the album closer, “The Great Embrace”. Two songs don’t seem to take off: “Tangle of Love”, and “Expedition Sailor”. The song “This Dream” is pure melodic-rock heaven! Still an easy recommendation to make.
Check those titles for sale:
MAX WEBSTER: Night Flight 7″ + Hangover [unreleased song]. PROMO.
MAX WEBSTER: Paradise Skies 7″ + The Party [Killer B side]. Check videos!
Medieval Death LP and free DVD + Mordicus “Rights ‘n Trials” LP. Official videos, audio, info.
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