CD review ACACIA AVENUE "Cold"

(7/10) Acacia Avenue is a project which was initiated by Danish songwriter and guitarist Torben Enevoldsen (Fate, Fatal Force).

After a few loose first ideas things became more concrete during time. Enevoldsen gathered a some friends which supported him writing songs and do the vocals on the album. This led to the bands debut album which was released in 2010.

Since the six-stringer became part of melodic hardrockers Fate, Acacia Avenue was put on hold. But after a couple of years Enevoldsen met singer Rob Moratti and new written songs became reality. Next to Moratti it is Torben Lysholm, Albin Ljungqvist, Mikael Roupe, Peter Sundell and Nicklas Sonne, who did the vocals on the new album. All of them good rock singers.

The result of all this is a record called "Cold" and it finds its way to your record dealer end of June. The album contains 11 songs that gives you almost 50 minutes of mainly AOR rock. Tunes like "Love will survive" and "Cold" are typical AOR tracks. Melodies and keyboards are in the lead and hooks are dominating the tracks. It is easy going summer music with a good quality. "Angelina" is another example for this. The songs is actually OK, but the almost endless repetition of the chorus towards the end is a bit annoying.

Next to this there is also a song called "Out of the business" which has its roots more in the classical hardrock. Thin Lizzy was my first thought when I heard the track. The tune really rocks and I wished to hear more songs like that on the album.

A few words about the production. The mix and the mastering took place in the Funny Farm studios. Enevoldsen himself had the lead in this as well as when it comes to the production. The sound is on a good quality level eventhough it's a bit too polished and shiny for me. A few edges here and there could have been good.

"Cold" is a record which should be checked by AOR fans. It became a solid rock album. Not more, but also not less.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Time
2. Love will survive
3. It's over
4. Out of the business
5. Signs of love
6. Cold
7. Angelina
8. You and I
9. Calling out
10. How many nights
11. Freedom from doubt

Label: AOR Heaven

Genre: AOR