Search - Million :: No. 1

Debut album - reissued

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 11/11/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Swedish melodic hard rock band M.ILL.ION a few years ago with a pair of their more recent albums (Kingsizeand Electric), but I didn't realize how long the band had been around until I ran across a used copy of No. 1, the band's 1991 debut. I had no idea the band was around back when this kind of music was actually popular.



No. 1 is the work of a much younger, inexperienced band. I get the impression that the band was hugely influenced by fellow Swedes Treat, as No. 1 seems to follow the Dreamhunter/Pleasure Principle formula pretty closely. It's a very melodic album with catchy rockers and the occasional power ballad. It's totally decent stuff, but nothing really special, especially compared to their later efforts. The band's songwriting skills were still developing, and their vocalist doesn't seem comfortable singing in English.



This is by no means an essential album, but if, like me, you discovered M.ILL.ION through one of their more recent albums, No. 1 is worth hearing to see just how far they've come. If you're new to the band, you'd be better off starting with one of their later, more polished albums and working backwards to No. 1 if you like what you hear.



Edition Notes: No. 1 was reissued in 2005 by the now-defunct Majestic Records. Majestic's reissue featured remastered sound and a bonus video clip of the song "Sign of Victory." It's a better (and more affordable) version than the Japanese import."