After 34 years of silence, Fortune had released their third album in 2019 entitled "II". This comeback to the Fortune brothers was the subject of encouraging reviews in the specialized media. It has also pleased former fans of the combo and followers of 101 South and Harlan Cage, two bands that disappeared in the 2000s in which frontman Larry Green was already working. Is this "II" following the same way ?
while keeping their easily identifiable melodic style, the band has this time muscled up their music, thus making their compositions even more attractive. Not that Fortune declines here metallic intentions, but it is necessary to realize that this album is more about melodic hard rock than AOR. The fault of guitar riffs sufficiently marked to appear this time as an element as fundamental as the quality of the melodies. These last ones are magnified by the so recognizable voice of Larry Green who, all in accuracy and melancholy of former days, realizes here his usual performance.
We have ten titles here on which hovers the ghosts of Survivor, Pride Of Lions, and of course, Harlan Cage and 101 South but two compositions stand out. First, 'Orphaned In The Storm' which is a must in the genre with its melodic verses and chorus associated with the energy of the rhythmic and the magnificence of the guitars on the soli, followed by the eponymous track which is the most hard-hitting thing Fortune has done since their debut. This kick in the butt will surprise many and proves that these old-timers still show, at their advanced age, an incredible vitality. No weakness comes to disturb the charming course of this album when listening to the remaining tracks, even when comes the ballad 'I Will Hold You Up', on which Steve Porcaro (Toto) comes to lay his talented hands on the keyboards that he illuminates.
This is indeed a master stroke that this "Level Ground". Although tinged with the nostalgia of the 80's, it remains however quite modern within a musical landscape largely made up of combos seeking with determination to sound radiofriendly. In this register, the whole of this opus could easily be played on the rock and pop rock radios of the planet.