Work Of Art - Artwork
At last the full length album, trailed for months on My Space by the sublime 'Why Do I?'
 
Now signed to Frontiers, Work Of Art - Lars (Fanfields) Safsund, Robert Sall and Herman Furin - prove to be more than one trick ponies.
While none of the other eleven tracks are blessed with the immediacy or the sheer sugar rush of that opener, there's a clutch of sturdy, highly melodic songs here, full of towering hooks and memorable choruses that grow in stature with each repeated spin. 
 
The means spirited will argue that 'Artwork' is no more than an homage, a highly derivative collection of earnest parodies. A band worshipping at the respective altars of legendary Melodic Rock and Westcoast Rock bands like Toto, Planet 3 and the LA Cowboys. (I have to admit that to me in places they sound very like Canadian melodic rock bands Total Stranger and Von Groove).
But 'Artwork' is so much more than that. It encapsulates a genre, an era, a time when this style of music was fresh, new and yes, innovative. And it does so, not by slavish imitation, but by creating music born out of sharp observation and outstanding songwriting. All the songs have a distinctly familiar air but they are instilled with confidence and maturity, with melodies as luscious, tantalising and as tempting as anything from the time it all began.
 
'Camelia', 'Once In A Lifetime' and 'Whenever You Sleep' are beautifully constructed, Toto-esque songs, with the trio showing they have the obsessive's ear for fine textural detail.
'Her Only Lie', 'Peace Of Mind' and 'Lost Without Your Love' have all the majesty, passion and urgency that belongs to only the best AOR, pushed along by thumping bass lines, full of neat gearshifts into delicate middle eights and robust axe solos.
And of course, there is the song that sparked the interest, the one that created the online buzz, 'Why Do I?'. Owner of a heartstopping hook and a sensational keyboard motif, this track is an absolute world beater, sweetened by harmonies reminiscent of Christian Rock legends, Liaison and Idle Cure.
This opening track provides the album with an initial momentum which never flags for a single moment.
 
Over the piece it's unarguable that Work Of Art mine a narrow seam. But that said, it's equally unarguable that 'Artwork' is an extremely satisfying accumulation of finely judged melodies and hooks, with some genuine nuggets among the gold.
 
Only January and a 2008 contender has already arrived.
 

Written by Brian
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Show all reviews by Brian

Ratings

Brian: 8/10

Members: 8.37/10 - Average of 4 ratings.



Member ratings

Profile pictureTommy

Rating: 8.5/10
Melodic bliss.... · Read more ·
Profile pictureLittle Drummer Boy

Rating: 8.5/10
I finally got this CD last week and I can not stop listening to it. I have read other ... · Read more ·
Profile pictureProfessorShred

Rating: 8.5/10
This is simply an excellent album,great songwriting/compositional skills,passionate perfor... · Read more ·
Profile pictureDark Lord

Rating: 8/10
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Review by Tommy (Member) - Friday, February 27, 2009
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Comments: 74
Ratings: 31
Melodic bliss.

Rating: 8.5/10

Posted by Tommy
Friday, February 27, 2009

Review by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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Comments: 166
Ratings: 46
I finally got this CD last week and I can not stop listening to it.

I have read other reviews finding this more like an album that pays homage to 80's melodic AOR rock. Those reviews not on the mark with their statements. WOA is the real deal. Robert Sall is passionate about this genre of music and it shows with other compositional writings he has done with other artists of the same genre. Not with standing the phenomenal work on WET (2009). The RS's influences is there in his writing but at no time do I get the impression he is sounding like another artist.

As another great aspect of this release is that this debut is entirely Produced by the band with vocalist Lars Safsund at the production helm. An outside producer may have changed the direction. These guys were in total control of their material.

If I had purchased this in 2008 it would have probably made my top releases for that year.

It also looks as though they will be releasing another CD summer 2011.

Rating: 8.5/10

Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Review by ProfessorShred (Member) - Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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Comments: 16
Ratings: 45
This is simply an excellent album,great songwriting/compositional skills,passionate performance makes for a really satisfying listening experience Nice review Brian!

Rating: 8.5/10

Posted by ProfessorShred
Wednesday, January 12, 2011










Review by Brian

Released by
Frontiers Records - 2008

Tracklisting
Why Do I
Maria
Camelia
Her Only Lie
Too Late
Whenever U Sleep
Once In A Lifetime
Peace Of Mind
Lost Without Your Love
Like No Other
Cover Me
One Hour


Style
AOR

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