There can be few
AOR fans who are unaware of Kurt Vereeke's labour of love.
It seems like he's been writing and recording the
'Frozen Rain' album since records began.
Credit to the guy for living his dream.and for pulling in names like Tommy Denander and Daniel Flores in the process.
For a blow by blow history, check out the Frozen
Rain website.
But the question is this : was it worth it?
On the positive side, many will be in ecstasy, mainlining on Vereeke's uncut
AOR.
'Frozen
Rain' is simply awash with late nite romantic melodies, shining, gleaming, in a dozen polished settings.
AOR with distinct Westcoast leanings and an unarguable eighties'
FM ethic, catching the mood of an era.
The first four tracks are the best the album has to offer. All are immediate, tuneful, filled with fluffy keyboard riffs and radiant bursts of colourful axework.
Opener
'Waiting For You' and the ballad
'My Heart Believes It's True' are worthy of special mention. Both benefit greatly from naggingly familiar keyboard motifs and Denander's perfect fit axework, with vocalists Johan Waem and Ollie Oldenburg emoting sweetly.
But it would be wrong to claim that Vereeke's songs possess the elegance and sophistication - or indeed the fire - that belonged to the best of the genre.
There's precious little passion here. Occasionally, emotionally estranged vocals express the unironic joy and solemn sorrow of street perfect
AOR. But the overly feelgood sentiments seem out of place in these uncertain, post grunge times.
'Park Café' and
'Little Angel' are two of the prime culprits, but are not untypical. A sense of weariness hangs over the tracks' juvenile lyrics, encouraging barely contained indifference from even the most sympathetic of listeners.
No argument, respect to Vereeke for his tenacity and persistence in finally getting his album released.
But sad to say, that's what it will be remembered for, rather then the music it contains.
Written by
Brian Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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