AOR Heaven NEH Records Z-Roxx Loud 1 Groove Machine Destiny Target Wishing Well Perris

PETE SANDBERG'S JADE
ORIGIN
AOR Heaven / Point Music
Produced by: Anders Theander
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Midnight Sun, Firehouse
GENRE: AOR
OVERALL: 83%

  1. Northern Light
  2. Time
  3. No Way Out
  4. Love In Vain
  5. Power Of Gold
  6. Where There Is A will
  7. Time And Again
  8. Nights In Mexico
  9. Can't Stop Lovin' You
  10. Alone
  11. All In Disguise
  12. Moods (Instrumental)

With all due respect for Pete Sandberg, he does pose a threatening figure on the front, back and insert covers of this CD. He looks like he walks the walk and talks the talk. To the uninitiated, this looks like a big time hard rocking album.
Just the opposite!! It's a little funny to hear this guy sing like a sweet soulful pop rocker.
Maybe he could lighten up a little on the next CD cover! Mind you, it is refreshing to see a photo on the cover and insert sleeve. There are far to many artists released anonymously these days - record companies - let's see some pictures on your releases!
But to the important thing - the music! This is another slice of 80's influenced pop rock with plenty of keyboards and 'sweet' vocal harmonies.
The difference between this and some other similar releases is that the production is of a higher quality and the songs are of very high quality - as would be expected from an established name such as Pete.
This album features an equal blend of keyboards and guitar, but with a slightly tougher edge to their sound and certainly a more recognizably European feel.
Opening track Northern Light has one of the better pure AOR hooks of the year as does several other tunes.
The delivery of the album varies in a couple of places, like the first ballad of the album Love In Vain, where it is delivered in mainly acoustic vocal style.
Can't Stop Loving You is also sugary sweet, but has a great hook for lovers of the softer side of melodic rock. No Way Out shows the guys slowing down to deliver a mature slice of pop rock in mellower fashion complete with organ and synthesizer accompaniment.
In places, this can be compared to a softer more European version of Firehouse.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't judge a book by it's cover! This is a really mature collection of classic European AOR with plenty of great hooks, sweet higher pitched vocals and an equal mix of guitars with keyboards. Above all, the songwriting is great and will offer traditional AOR fans a lot of enjoyment.
PRODUCTION: 80% SONGS: 86% VIBE: 85%ATTITUDE: 80%
ESSENTIAL FOR: All Sandberg and Midnight Sun fans, fans of good European style AOR.
DISCOGRAPHY:Midnight Sun; Solo - Jade . Origin



Back To site Frontpage