Review | Falcon Trails – Coming Home

Metalville Records

Falcon Trails is a trio consisting of multi-instrumentalist Mika Gronholm, drummer Tom Rask and singer Lee Small. You should be familiar with the name Lee Small as the vocalist has been active with the bands Atack and Lionheart. And he made a blistering solo-album entitled ‘The Last Man On Earth’ that came out just over a year ago. Small is a superb singer who can tackle different styles of music and he is proving that yet again on ‘Coming Home’. Gronholm (who played also one ‘The Last Man On Earth’) and Rask are both hailing from Finland. They might no be really known to a big audience perhaps, but they sure have got their shit together.

NEW TRIO?

I am not so sure that Falcon Trails is a new trio as the album was written and recorded in 2018/2019. Then, through whatever circumstances, was put on hold until recently when the recordings were checked and made ready for release. It could have something to do with the fact that Small had his own album. He also released material with Atack, Signal Red and Lionheart in the last couple of years, while also being involved in the legendary glam rock band Sweet as bass player and back-up vocalist. He has not been sitting at home the last decade or so, that is for sure.

A BIT OF THIS, A BIT OF THAT

The thirteen songs on ‘Coming Home’ can be described as a bit of this and a bit of that. Call it a mixed bag. The trio treats us to a combination of classic rock, some funk, some soul, some heavy rock, a healthy portion of blues rock plus several stunning ballads. The musicians are not really committed to one and the same style. Although the bulk of the material can be described as well orchestrated rock with immaculate singing by Lee Small. When you hear him on the bluesy ballad ,,The Way We Want’’ you cannot help yourself thinking that Small is sounding with the feel and reach of a certain Glenn Hughes. No shit people, this song is beautiful, with great arrangements and a scorching solo as icing on the cake. For me the absolute highlight on this record.

MUSICAL EXCURSIONS

This is a record for people that do not mind a few musical excursions. ,,Devotion’’ has a very funky character while ,,Soul Satisfaction’’ already has the musical direction in the song title. Small just shines on these songs, showing us that he is very all round indeed. ,,Caught’’ is a more stomping and straight forward hard rocker with a certain swagger in the proceedings while ,,Stars’’ is the second absolute bluesy highlight on ‘Coming Home’. No, it is not Glenn Hughes performing but Lee Small who in the past worked together with Glenn and must have learned some valuable lessons. ,,Safe In My Arms’’ is a slow paced ballad with great organ parts by Gronholm and slight gospel influences.

FALCON TRAILS – THE CONCLUSION

This is a record for the rocker with a more adventurous and/or fine taste. Someone who is open to change and variation. If you are that person, you will find a lot of good vibrations on ‘Coming Home’ that is being closed with a nice instrumental track ,,Sapphire Sky’’. ‘Coming Home’ has given me multiple goose bumps! The way this band has performed, arranged, and written their songs has been thoughtful. It is a pity that these recordings have been on the shelf for all that time. I hope that a second record of Falcon Trails does not take another five years or so.

Release date: 19 July 2024