Putting a different spin on
AOR is
Spin Gallery's "Embrace", which is headed up by the prolific magic touch of Tommy Denander (who is everywhere you look these past few years), and painted around the vocals of sole singer Kristopher Lagerstrom. Their only other cd, from 2004 featured a trio of voices. That has been pared back to a single voice (although there are two guests on board too), and while the multi-singer attraction is now gone, the overall sound and flavor of the product seems more cohesive on the second go-around.
This disc has a strong focus on a slightly off-the-beaten-path sound that should captivate anyone that feels that
AOR has become stagnant in recent times. The overarcing feel is
AOR processed through the light pop of 1980s New Wave. The android sterile stylistic vocals and sci-fi synth pumping of Ah-Ha and Johnny Hates Jazz comes first to mind. There are other influences strung throughout, including a track that has a stripped Led Zeppelin/Robert Plant vibe, but there's always that electronica spectre lurking in the background.
Guitars are sharp and honed to a fine, brittle edge. There are lots of delicious solos that will dazzle you in their electric dance, and little rhythmic hooks that are simple but sharply effective, such as on the opening "Embrace". It keeps popping up this short riff that is absolutely divine. Simple and ending in a vibrative warble, it is the kind of ear candy that fills out "Embrace" so nicely. "Stone By Stone" has a huge chorus that keeps circulating with a sense of fresh wonder anew. Very reminiscent to old
Cannata.
"Just a Momentary Why" is a double edged sword.
Robin Beck guests here as the dueting guest to mixed results. On one hand, the second, very differently sounding voice helps to counterbalance Lagerstrom. Yet, Beck sounds like an aging rock chick and her roar seems more masculine and commanding than the male lead. This completely alters the dynamic of the track, and it would be interesting to hear it redone with a more sylph-like singer in her place. The song itself is melodic rock gold, but the guest choice leaves it off balance.
"Eyes Wide Open" tackles with riffs and instant keys in that Ah-Ha sound. "Without Love" nails the
Cannata feel and has this weirdly upbeat feel considering the lyrical content. Great track, however! "Tic Toc" has a Joey Tempest bite on the end of the phrasings, and a funky rock/New Age cross with a pure Europe-ish bridge and chorus. The mid song breakdown has lazer guitars, piano bits, and some deceptively fierce vocals.
"Blood in My Veins" has a delicacy like air, and a melancholy that simulates patter of rain against a grey day. An emotional falsetto is a hole poked in a heavy cloud. "You Do The Things You Do" features Dan Reed on vocals and has a great feel, uptempo flow and pouncy chorus. Alot of Toto spotted in this one. "Indulge" seems a big ballad continuation with a little splash of high tech rock a'la Sting and then explodes in a flurry of guitar bits and heavy atmosphere.
Spin Gallery's "Embrace" is a lovely deviation from the norm, showcasing a very different side to the melodic rock spectrum. A lush production, unusually charismatic vocals, a New Age/electronica twist, cravingly addictive choruses... everything you might want in a fresh melodic rock disc. An album that can be surely embraced as a strangely effective mix of the present, past and future of the genre.
Written by
Alanna Sunday, March 7, 2010
Show all reviews by AlannaRatingsAlanna: 8.5/10Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
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