Art Nation
Revolution

Is it Sweden they are referring to as the art nation? Well, could be – the band is Swedish with members from the band Diamond Dawn that is said to be dead now and some Borg from the band Taste. None of said bands were particularly interesting to me when they released their latest efforts as they both sounded like some cliché version of a genre that is way beyond overcrowded already. So, is it a bad sign that these guys join into a band called Art Nation? Not really, the past is the past and this is a new album that hopefully takes these musicians away from the bleak, grey world of xeroxing other people’s music sheets.

I don’t think anyone can describe this as innovative or original, unless that person completely ignorant of everything that is the vast AOR-genre. It is hardly revolutionary; it is AOR with solid melodies, choruses and a very catchy soundscape. It is easily accessible, with a good singer – all the hallmarks of the AOR-genre. Maybe a little on the heavier side and the songs show off some great energy and emotion while the variation is more or less what you usually find on an album of this genre. I think if you want to put just one word on how this sound, it is catchy. And it is not really much to write about it, it is AOR, plain and simple.

Good album! That is my sentiment when the final song ends, the catchy and very good ending track that puts you up for wanting more of this band. I think they utilise more or less very cliché but manages to save the album from ending up a mediocre cliché by filling it with brilliant AOR-tracks. I like it a lot. It is way ahead of the bands I mentioned before and it is an album that you can play repeatedly without really growing too bored with it, it has a strong longevity while still being very easy to take to. I think they succeed very well with this album, but it is a tightrope they are walking and the next album might just as easy become one more of those pretty good but ultimately pointless albums that litter this genre and more of them arrive each day it seems. So, a little more personal touch, soul if you like, will be required down the line but until then we can always enjoy this cavalcade of brilliant, melodic, super-catchy rock songs.

The only thing a man analysing this album in a deeper way can desire is a more original approach but this is more than made up for in the excellent songs that fill this album. I think this takes off immediately, from the first track to the last we get musical mastery that is not too often heard in this genre where most bands are good but a very precious few is anything more than that. Maybe the first track is the best but I like all of them so I will refrain from picking a favourite and just add that anyone not liking this album is a soulless minion who is completely without taste in music. I recommend that you look this album up, immediately – what are you waiting for?

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