BROKE [N] BLUE - THE WAITING (2005, MTM MUSIC)
Lars Abrahamsson - guitars; keyboards, backing vocals; Eva Eggesjö
Abrahamsson - vocals; Peter Gustavsson - vocals; Ulf Vestlund - bass,
drums
Guests: Thorleif Robertsson - drums; Thomas Persson - drums; Michael
Nilsson - guitars
It is with pride that we at GLORY-DAZE celebrate the sophomore album
from Swedish AORsters Broke [N] Blue. Long considered to be a
foundation band with this site, and with our previous site HEART of
the ROCK before that, we've been there right at the very beginning:
since those early demos that Lars Abrahamsson featured on mp3.com all
those years ago.
Well a lot of summers and winters have passed since then, and the
good news is: the band are going as strong as ever. Even better, the
band have forged a relationship with heavyweight label MTM Music,
meaning a bigger budget, more exposure, and more importantly,
credibility out there among the rock industry for getting this far.
Round two sees the release of 'The Waiting', and for those of us who
heard and enjoyed their debut from 2001 'Northern Light', it has
taken a good four years to land the second big fish out of the water.
But it has been worth the wait. Yes indeed, like the album title we
have been doing just that.
Let's get this straight OK? This is an AOR band we're talking about
here. Not a hard rock band or melodic rock band, despite what some of
you might think. It is AOR in much the same way as the recent Tor
Talle Northern Light project we've been promoting lately. the
production is a few notches up from last time, and like before, it is
the songs that lift the band to that level of 'extra-special'. Well
that is my view at least. With the contrasting and alternating
male/female lead vocal going on, the band have more depth than most,
which allows them to diversify in opposite directions. Eva's style
opens up the Heart, Alyson Avenue, Coastline
direction, while Peter goes down the Toto, Richard Marx
route.
The bombastic scene-setter 'How Does It Feel' gets the album underway
in no uncertain terms. The guitar/keyboard mix a melodic cocktail
upon which sits a volatile chorus led by Peter Gustavsson and a
degree of urgency which sets sail for track two 'Perfect Match'.
Calmer waters are reached here, the lucid vocal from Eva Eggesjö
Abrahamsson drifting across the soundscape serenely. Peter rejoins
the fray on 'Endlessly', the fluid song structure keeping the
momentum going as per the song-title. The arrangement on 'Heaven Is
All' is full of layers, keys, guitars and vocals. Very AOR. In
contrast, 'Never The Same' is a leaner slice of music, the chorus is
simple but captivating. Lar's guitar has added presence on 'Keep Me
Waiting', an upfront rocker with tempo and energy to match.
The title track 'The Waiting' is next, it takes on an atmospheric
approach, fluid guitar lines and rich melodies make this one a
favorite for me. 'This Time' is a song which you can back to time and
time again, and find something different about it. Broke [N] Blue go
for the party-line on 'Rivers Are Calling'. The dual vocal on the
chorus stands out, as does the hard rockin' all-out style. Eva and
Peter combine again for the magnificent 'Midnite Show' - another
favorite, that shows the band at their best, combining a relatively
simple structure with ample melody. Peter is the vocal aggressor on
'Let Me Out', the song taking on a metallic edge with Lar's razor
sharp playing. Eva returns for 'Found It Now', a stirring anthemic
piece with a strong back-end provided by forgotten man Ulf Vestlund.
The closer 'First Time' is a power-ballads of sorts, and though not
the same as the famous Robin Beck similarly titled piece
provided for Coca-Cola back in the late eighties, the result comes
close.. very close!
I've been playing this CD for days now. Even seven hours non-stop in
the car on a recent long journey. It wasn't that I couldn't be
bothered changing the disc; just that I wanted to totally immerse
myself in the music. And I will continue to do so for a wee while
yet. Unashamedly AOR, Broke [N] Blue aren't about to change cultures
overnight, but for those that are tried and true diehards (like all
of you who come here), then you'll need no converting and no
convincing. It's all those unconverted we need to convince!
Along with Tor Talle's Northern Light, Broke [N] Blue have
given MTM Music a shot of respectibility in terms of pure AOR. Buy it
and understand why we rave about this lot so much..
Review By: George Thatcher
URL: www.broke-n-blue.com
Track Listing:
01 How Does It Feel (PG)
02 Perfect Match (EA)
03 Endlessly (PG)
04 Heaven Is All (EA)
05 Never The Same (EA)
06 Keep Me Waiting (EA)
07 The Waiting (For A Life) (EA)
08 This Time (EA)
09 Rivers Are Calling (PG/EA)
10 Midnite Show (PG/EA)
11 Let Me Out (PG)
12 Found It Now (EA)
13 First Time (EA)
Rating:
9/10
Other Broke[n]Blue Reviews on GLORY-DAZE
Northern Light (2001)
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