In 25 words or less: “My ears have been listening to music for around 30 years and know what they like and they tell me that this is pretty damn close to musical perfection…”
Here’s a thought to ponder that really has no relevance to the CD I am about to review….but then again, maybe it does? Should the length of a CD review really bear any resemblance to the quality of a CD release? For example, should a crap CD be rewarded with a short and abrupt review, or should one of the finest releases I have ever heard be rewarded with war and peace about the greatness of every guitar note, hook and melody? Well to me it’s really an irrelevance but with this review I am here to tell you that Swedish AOR’sters Work Of Art and their second release In Progress is one of the greatest albums I have heard, simple as that. Yes that’s a big call, but it’s my call and not yours to make! My ears have been listening to music for around 30 years and know what they like and they tell me that Work Of Art is pretty damn close to my kind of musical perfection, as they also did with the debut album from fellow Swede’s H.E.A.T.
If you are looking for a perfect example of what AOR music is all about, then look no further than what is destined to be one of the genres albums of the year, some may say the decade, I say regardless of genre, it’s one of my greatest albums ever. Song after song of soaring melodies, catchy choruses, sublime lead vocals and heavenly backing vocal arrangements, topped off with some truly outstanding musicianship and keyboards, lot’s of keyboards, it’s got everything I need, even key changes! I thought it would be difficult for the band to top their stunning debut album, but on In Progress the band have further refined their own musical identity and that in part is what has made this album so great. From pulsating and urgent rock, through to touching balladry and everything in between, the band deliver with aplomb.
With Robert Sall and Lars Safsund already in high demand prior to this release contributing their songwriting talents and musical prowess to releases such as W.E.T, Lionville, and the trio of releases Toto singers in Kimball/Jamison, Fergie Frederiksen and Williams/Friestedt, this album is only likely to further increase their demand. I don’t really feel I have much more to add, if stating earlier that In Progress is one of the greatest albums I have heard doesn’t move you to at least press play on the video clip below, then I don’t know what else will…
Check out our interview with Work Of Art right here….
Essential Information
Release date: 26 August, 2011
Check it out if you like: soaring melodies, catchy chorus’s, sublime lead vocals and heavenly backing vocal arrangements, topped off with some truly outstanding musicianship and keyboards, lot’s of keyboards
Record label: Frontiers Records/Riot! Entertainment (Australia)
Website: Official Facebook Page
Track listing:
The Rain
Nature Of The Game
Once Again
Never Love Again
Eye Of The Storm
Until You Believe
The Great Fall
Call On Me
Emelie
Fall Down
Castaway
One Step Away
