|
The Scandinavians
have produced very well Melodic Hard
Rock/AOR albums in the past. They
have a concrete way to play AOR, that
differs from American/Canadian style,
which is my favorite I must confess.
Their songs are more cheerful but
without essential depth and simultaneously
I would say that they belong a lot
more in the Melodic Hard Rock genre
than into the classic AOR. This introduction
it was essential so that certain things
are clarified.
Agnes Pihlava (was
given birth in Poland and currently
living in Finland) is a singer who
became popular from the Finnish Pop
Idol. In her debut album we see participating
important musicians, such as Joey
Tempest and Mr. Lordi. "The 80's
heavy metal is my thing because it
never dies", states Agnes of
her first album.
Here therefore we
have an album which has great moments
but also incurious tracks. Songs like
“When the Night Falls”,
“I Thought We Were Lovers”,
“Heartache” “Who
Would Ever Let a Love Like This Go”
and “Change” are catchy
and even brilliant. But the rest of
the songs they are simply mediocre
hard rock that mainly are supported
in a marvelous production.
Another point here is her crude voice.
Now to some this may sounds sexy but
to others it reminds a female version
of Lordi. Actually the truth is right
between the middle. Either you like
her voice or not. In the past another
Finnish singer, Annica, sounded exactly
like Agnes, and something to me it
says that Agnes had good models in
her children's age. Anyway my personal
favorite Scandinavian female singer
of all times is the mighty Erika,
so you can guess my final conclusion.
This is a decent first effort with
memorable songs but also with some
fillers. If you’re looking for
the real thing on female fronted AOR
check out Two Of A Kind.
|
