Grand Design is the brainchild of vocalist Pelle Saether who wanted an album that tapped into the glory days of Europe, the Scorpions and Def Leppard, although it is the latter band that Grand Design sound a dead ringer for, specifically the Mutt Lange era albums.

Joining Pelle are Wolf's rhythm section of drummer Richard Holmgren and bass player Anders Modd, guitarists Peter Ledin and Dennis Vestman.

This band blow fellow Def Leppard devotees BB Steal out of the water as they nail the Def Leppard harmony vocals and that big drum sound you associate with albums like 'Pyromania' and 'Hysteria'. They even have the bad pun titles so beloved of Def Leppard like 'Sheik Idup'.

To be honest all the songs bar the final one, the mellower 'Love Will Know' (this song falls between a ballad and a power ballad without becoming either) are all crackers. On 'Sad Sound Of Goodbye' listen out for the Cheap Trick approved high harmonies on the chorus, sheer aural bliss. Pelle Saether's vocals are higher than Joe Elliott's being nearer to current Saga vocalist Rob Moratti in sound.

Yes it is nothing new and the lyrics can turn extremely corny ('Shady Lady Open 24 hours') but it is meant to be fun. Grab a copy and crank it up - do you wanna get rocked?

****½

Review by Jason Ritchie