Reviews of RAINMAKER

AOR SWEDEN
Rainmaker - Rainmaker

Ytterligare ett bandprojekt med flitigt arbetande Tommy Denander. På denna skiva medverkar även Geir Rönning (Prisoner) och basvirtuosen Tony Franklin (bl.a Whitesnake). Även Walter Dego (trummor) och Kristoffer Lagerström m.fl. hjälper till på denna skiva. Det som skiljer denna skiva från de senaste projekt som Denander har varit med på är egentligen bara att Ricky B. Delin inte spelar på skivan, däremot har han skrivit texten till flera av låtarna. Musikstilen skiljer sig inte så mycket, möjligtvis så är denna skiva lite mindre Westcoast-influerad än Prisoner. Det är dock lite fler "mindre bra låtar" på denna skiva, King of Fools och Bad Call är inte lika bra som de övriga låtarna, men vilken grupp kan göra en skiva med enbart bra låtar? knappt någon. Det finns dock en hel del riktiga höjdare; titelspåret Rainmaker är fantastiskt bra, introt på denna låt är underbart! Father of your sins och Nancy hold on är också mycket bra. Balladen The sound of my heart drar ner tempot som annars varit ganska högt, låten är mycket bra. Min favorit är nog ändå Going insane, här får Denander verkligen visa sin talang med några suveräna solo. Vi får hoppas
Tommy Denander och hans vänner fortsätter att släppa skivor, det sätter Sverige på "AOR-kartan".
Rekommenderas starkt!
RATING 84/100

AORLAND
RAINMAKER
Rainmaker

LINE UP:
GEIR RONNING (V)
TOMMY DENANDER (G)
TONY FRANKLIN (B)

I should be honest with you all. I found little appeal the first time I put the RAINMAKER cd in my cd deck. Sure it was well done and a few good numbers but nothing really catchy. Subsequently this album found its space in my shelves waiting for a better day. I try to be a fair reviewer and everyone deserves a second option so inserted the cd and surprisingly enough I liked this a lot. Although production-wise this sounds quite unidirectional and thin the songwriting is diverse and ranges from the instant melodic rock of "Nancyhold on" to the hard rock of "Rainmaker" or "Blood Brother run" and even the slightly-progressive "Bad Call". Rainmaker is basically (like PRISONER and the upcoming RADIOACTIVE) a TOMMY DENANDER project. Here the, ultimately prolific, Swedish multiinstrumentist is surrounded by his mate Geir Ronning and Tony Franklin so the musicianship is top-nocht. Certainly this is an album that grows after several listens... at least that's what happened to me!... Not excellent but highly interesting. A must for fans of Denander and a recommneded buy for melodic hard rockers.
RATING 78/100

BREAKOUT
RAINMAKER - Rainmaker
(Z Records / Point Music)

In Tommy Denander and Geir Ronning as well as Tony Franklin no unknown deliver their(her) visiting card again and step this time as a trio under the name Rainmaker back in the footlights. The volume(ruban) time has taken whole two years from itself to finish the debut. Three try with the selfgiven a title first disc to show to the Melodic-Rock-Lager what is one rakes.
Already the title song which introduces the album, shows where the journey the next sixty minutes goes. The volume(ruban) knows how sent to lard the songs with melodies which demand, however, some runs. Unfortunately, is not on the round taler, however, all gold what shines, and for my notions too many lows creep.
It also returns the obligatory start of play tips of me naturally. " If Nancy hears purely in the opening song "Rainmaker", Sweetly On ", the Mega-ballad " Sound Of micron Heart ", the a little bit faster " Blood Brother run " and the " King Of Fools concluding ". Antesten you may the disc of course, but there are already clearly better possibilities to bring his(its) well-deserved toads to the man(husband).
Jürgen

LORDS OF METAL
RAINMAKER - Rainmaker (Z Records)

Jack : A project from Tommy Denander (known as session musician and three solo albums), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, session and solo projects) and as 'throat' Geir Ronning (Prisoner). The music is somewhat hard to define, for the vocals sounds like David Coverdale one time, and the other more like Phil Lynott ('Blood Brother Run'). The sound is 'American Eastcoast' with delicious guitarwork and a tight rythm section. With 11 songs we've got almost one hour of music that rocks the good way. It took the guys almost 2 years to complete this project, something wich had a great influence on the production, for every bit is polished as smooth as a baby's bottom (and that's not how I like it), anyway, I think a rating of 8 is fair.
RATING 8

Frans : The Rainmaker project was the dream of Z-Records label manager Mark Alger, and this album, which was released last month, was two years in the making, what resulted in a total of 11 tracks. Especially in the opening and title track the participants really show all their skills, and those skills are instant prove of the quality of this album. A very heavy album, yet very melodic and non complicated Hardrock.
RATING 9/10

MAJESTIC
Rainmaker - Rainmaker

Tommy Denander’s name has been connected to projects like Prisoner and Talk Of The Town this year. There was quite some difference between both projects, musically as well as in line up.
Now Z Records releases Tommy’s new project, Rainmaker. Just like on part of the Prisoner album the vocals are handled by Geir Rönning which made me fear that we were heading for Prisoner part 2 here (not that I would have mind, that album is one of my favorites this year). But nothing could be less true. Of course there are moments where you can hear similarities, but we’re really talking moments here.
The music on the Rainmaker album’s much heavier than that of Prisoner, on which we could find a lot of Toto influences. Rainmaker sounds more in the vein of Blue Murder, Giant, Whitesnake, Rainbow and Thin Lizzy.
Again Geir Rönning shows us what a fabulous singer he is. The diversity of his voice really is incredible! But Tommy Denander’s talents can’t be overlooked either. Especially the solo in Blood Brother Run (my favorite track on the album) is something special! But the riffs are top notch again as well.
Tony Franklin doesn’t need an introduction, I think. This celebrated bass player has provided a lot of great albums with his excellent playing and it’s been a clever move to let him play on this one as well.
Z Records have been telling us about what a great album this was going to be. At this moment I can’t say nothing less than that they’ve kept their word…
RATING 5/5

MELODICROCK.COM
RAINMAKER - RAINMAKER

Produced by: Tommy Denander
Released: OCT 2
Closest Relative: Prisoner, Giant

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.

ESSENTIAL FOR: All fans of Tommy Denander and fans of stadium rock European style.
PRODUCTION: 85% SONGS: 75% VIBE: 70% ATTITUDE: 80% OVERALL: 79%

MIDWESTERN SKIES
RAINMAKER "Rainmaker"
(Z Records)

Rainmaker is the latest release from the UK-based label Z Records. Behind Rainmaker you will find the workaholic Tommy Denander(this is his third release in a short time) and Geir Ronning. These guys were also behind the Prisoner album that came out early this year on Z Records. This is a album that goes in the same style as the latest Talk Of The Town and Prisoner albums with little more heavier edge. This is not as good as the Talk Of The Town and Prisoner albums but it has couple of tracks that are really good. Like the opening track "Rainmaker", this is a song that sounds very much like Talk Of The Town and has a great chorus. "Nancy Hold On" has a nice chorus that reminds of Prisoner. "Kay" is sounding like it could have been on the TOTT album. Nice song but nothing more. "Seriously" starts off tough but in the chorus it turns out to a calm song, the chorus sounds like TOTO. "Blood Brother Run" sounds little like Thin Lizzy but the song is pretty weak. "Passion Again" is again in the right direction, this is a great AOR/Rock song in the TOTT style with nice harmonyvocals. Geir Ronning sounds very much like Glenn Hughes on many of the tracks. He has a great and strong voice. But this album is not a must because there is way to many fillers. There is couple of tracks that sounds really good but the whole album is not good. So this is a album you can be without.
Juha Harjula

NEH
Rainmaker - Rainmaker

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.

STRUTTER
RAINMAKER 'RAINMAKER'

RAINMAKER is a project consisting of PRISONER vocalist Geir Ronning, guitarist/ bassist/keyboardist TOMMY DENANDER, bassist Tony Franklin (who worked with BLUE MURDER and WHITESNAKE) and drummer Walter Dego. The first CD is now out on the English melodic rockalbum Z RECORDS and musically it not that far away from the label's earlier releases of PRISONER, 21K and NARO. This is a nice melodic rockalbum, but not sensational. The production by the fantastic session guitarist Tommy Denander, who also wrote most of the songs, is very good.
The album opener "Rainmaker" is a very catchy uptempo melodic rocker in the style of early HAREM SCAREM. This is definitely a very strong first track and a promise for the rest of the CD. Unfortunately the rest of the CD is just nice melodic rock with occasionally something really good. Everything is performed very well, but somehow I miss the catchy sound as created on the first track. It's not that songs like "Nancy Hold on" and "Kay" are bad, in fact they sound great, but it's not sensational.
On the other hand, there are also some interesting experimental songs to be heard later on the CD, such as "Going insane" (a song that starts as a weak 90s Grunge typed song but turns out to be a nice 70s inspired Classic Rocksong like RAINBOW meets MAGNUM) and "Bad call" (a very long experimental groovy rocker). Besides the first track, my other favourite tune has got to be "Passion again", an outstanding midtempo AOR song. This CD has a lot to offer and will attract AOR/Melodic Rockfans, but also if you want to hear some other influences wrapped into your typical melodic rock, this RAINMAKER is worth a recommendation!
RATING 7,5/10

STRUTTER
RAINMAKER 'RAINMAKER (ADVANCE COPY)'

Finally the much talked about Rainmaker album featuring a superb selection of well known qualified musicians falls into my hands - enter Swedish jounreyman Tommy Denander, Geir Ronning (Prisoner) and legendary English bass player Tony Franklin (Blue Murder/Whitesnake)
The album has been two years in the making - so does the album live up to expectations I hear you cry? Oh yes is my answer as I wipe away the froth from my lips, Rainmaker is the epitome of European melodic hard rock, each song swiftly sparks out of your speakers propelling a full hard rock sound with choruses and melodies so catchy that you will never forget.
This is an indispensable purchase for fans of 70's and 80's melodic rock. The first song 'Rainmaker' flows with excitement, the riffs are scorching hot and smack you right between the eyes.
'Father Of Your Sins' is a moodier piece similar to Talisman circa 'Genesis'. 'Nancy Hold On' launches itself into thudding riffage, the song is very catchy and commerical, also on a commerical level is the excellent 'Kay' which starts off with solid slabs of melodies, this is another song that explodes out of your speakers and would make a perfect single, 'Kay' is another of my favourite cuts, at this rate Rainmaker have all the qualities to break through into the the big league, there are so many great songs to choose from, check out 'Seriously', the arrangments are pretty complexed on this song, whilst the excellent ballad 'Sound Of My Hearts' threatens to burst into classic Whitesnake territory, in fact the song is very close to Whitesnake's 'Looking For Love'.
'Going Insane' is another hot track, I love this song it's very imaginative and very powerful, almost like Blue Murder's 'Valley Of The Kings' mixed with a hint of Vagabond. 'Blood Brother Run' is fast, furious and very flashy, I like the sound in Geir's voice on this track which he sings with conviction, possibly the albums catchiest and heaviest song.
'Passion Again' is pure melodic rock with an AOR-ish chorus that reminds me of Europe and Talisman, 'Bad Call' is very slick and smothered in melodic hooks, then the last track 'King Of Fools' slides in ending the album on a high, 'King' is rich in melodies and is five minutes of melodic heaven to drool over until we get the second Rainmaker album. Unlike alot of bands around these days Rainmaker posses a certain zeal of excitement that is nothing short of glorious, so make sure you buy Rainmaker pronto.
Nicky Baldrian
RATING 9,5/10

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC IN JAPAN
Rainmaker / Rainmaker

Tommy Denander, one of the most active Swedish Melodic Rock Guitarist of these days, has just released another project album with Geir Ronning. Comparing with his released "Prisoner" project, this "Rainmaker" project is much heavier and hard-driven one.
Producer: Tommy Denander

Rainmaker are:
Geir Ronning: Lead & Backing Vocals
Tommy Denander: Guitars, Keyboards, Bass & Programming
Tony Franklin: Bass
Walter Dego: Drums

Additional Musicians:
Baking Vocals: Kristoffer Lagestrom
Acoustic Guitar: Mike Rorick, John "JJ" Jessel
RATING 3/5