Continuing in the great tradition of Dutch melodic rock are this bunch of renegade rockers called Terra Nova.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Terra Nova
ALBUM: Livin’ It Up
LABEL: Now And Then
SERIAL: NTHEN 39
YEAR: 1997
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Netherlands
LINEUP: Fred Hendrix – vocals, guitars * Gesuino Derosas – guitars * Ron Hendrix – keyboards * Lucien Matheeuwsen – bass * Lars Beuving – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Livin’ It Up * 02 Interlude * 03 Hey Babe * 04 If Dreams Are Forever * 05 Get Off My Case * 06 Summernights * 07 Only The Strong Survive * 08 On Fire * 09 Children Of The Shade * 10 Once Bitten Twice Shy * 11 Come On * 12 Love Of My Life * 13 Like A Rock
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Continuing in the great tradition of Dutch melodic rock are this bunch of renegade rockers called Terra Nova. Cool name, and powerful music which literally moves ‘terra firma’ when they’re blazing on all barrels. Their sound alternates between beautiful heartfelt slower moments and ballads, to full on battle hardened rockers ready to scour your ears at the first opportunity with slam-dunk drums and blazing guitar work.
Unfortunately for Terra Nova, they can easily be compared to their countrymen Wild Ride, Zinatra or 1st Avenue, and while others might be bemoaning this fact, I’m sitting here getting musically drunk on this their debut offering ‘Livin’ It Up’. Ron Hendrix is the star of the show for me, and he provides the colour and vibrance which makes this band poke it’s nose out further than most others plying the same road.
The Songs
Album opener and title track ‘Livin’ It Up’ showcases his dynamic keyboard work. Listen to the first couple of bars and you’ll hear what I mean, while Gesuino Derosa’s crunching guitar provides the perfect foil, like an industrial strength jackhammer! Other sublime moments include the atmospherics of the instrumental ‘Interlude’ which leads us into the sensational keyboard dominated AOR of ‘Hey Babe’.
Then there’s the equally impressive ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’ as well as the contagiously sing-a-long anthem ‘Come On’ .Their ballads are superb too. Check out ‘If Dreams Are Forever’ with it’s big chorus rich organ solo through the middle, the poignant ‘Love Of My Life’ and the wishful thinking that is ‘Summernights’. Their heavier moments include ‘Get Off My Case’ and the biting L.A guitar style featured on ‘Only The Strong Survive’.
In Summary
Terra Nova at this stage were so good I recommend you grab everything that they did from this era, which includes the ‘Breakaway’ album from 1998 as well as ‘Eye To Eye’ which includes some ‘Breakaway’ material as well as newer stuff. In later years, Terra Nova became less interesting, with a lighter sound, average songs and basic musicianship. A shame really, because this debut is rather excellent.
Terra Nova on Video
Livin’ It Up
Hey Babe
