by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
Although it’s just their debut album that’s hit the shelves this summer, State Of Salazar are a group of experienced and versatile musicians, skilful in both progressive pop and ska – and also, having learned their chops in Malmö Academy of Music. Somehow, the quintet have managed to leave their different musical backgrounds behind for a while – all for the sake of melodic rock, as it’s this very genre they’ve found to be a common ground for them. The result of this interesting compromise – fueled with the band members’ fascination with the late ‘70s and the early ‘80s pomp rock – is State Of Salazar’s debut album All The Way, released via Frontiers Records in August.
One of the biggest inspirations cited by the band themselves is Toto, and it’s certain Steve Lukather’s band must have exerted a substantial influence over the Swedish group – think the perfectly crafted vocal harmonies in the first track “I Believe In You,” the Paich-esque keyboards in “Field Of Dreams,” or the group’s overall approach to melody and song structure. There’s of course more to those Swedes than just following the path trod by Toto once, as exemplified by the third track on the album “All The Way” that – all possible influences aside – brings a solid dose of early ‘80s pomp rock against some tasteful six string wizardry. With “Love Of My Life”, State Of Salazar bravely explore the ballad-esque territory, propounding what is perhaps typical and not much revelatory, but nevertheless a very neat piano-based ballad embellished with a wailing guitar tone.
Next is “Eat Your Heart Out,” another dynamic track much in vein of Journey of Toto from their classic era and, if had released thirty plus years earlier, also what would have been a serious candidate to top the AOR radio charts. It’s intense pomp rock with a certain hit quality to it, groovy ‘70s keyboards and great vocals. “Time To Say Goodbye” gravitates a bit more towards what we think melodic rock is today, even though its synth-horn fanfare is, clearly and indisputably, “so totally ‘80s”. “Marie” continues in a similar retro-oriented manner, again a track that could have appeared on one of the best mid-‘80s albums released by either Foreigner or Survivor (with no harm to their reputation). “Let Me Love” is another ballad, somewhat weaker in comparison with the first slow moment of the album – but possibly, if played live, it’s going to gather a sea of snuggling couples in the audience anyway.
“Catastrophe” starts with an ‘80s-infused synth passage, developing into another catchy – if not infectious – melody the ninth track is laden with. And it’s perhaps the band’s immaculate harmonies that makes one think that, all the guitar-and-keyboard duels aside, it’s the “wall of sound” vocals that are State Of Salazar’s actual driving force. And isn’t that a well-tried recipe for a classic AOR album? It’s certainly a formula the Swedish band used while crafting their first piece, with Marcus Nygren belting out his lines in his emotionally-laden voice against the solid background vocals, as in “Always” or sugary choruses of “Adrian”. The band’s trademark harmonies are brought to light also in the last track on the album, a grandiose power ballad “End Of Time” which is a strong final point to the entire material.
All The Way is a bit more retro-oriented than other releases from Frontiers Records usually are and rarely wanders off the beaten track in pursuit of some more contemporary sound. It’s more Toto and Asia than Work of Art or Brother Firetribe, although it’s sure fans of every of the aforementioned acts will find something worth the attention on the Swedes’ debut album. It’s the keyboard-laden vintage sound of the early ‘80s many of us miss – even if some would rather die than admit it. Also, as you could have expected from a group of diligent students of the Academy Of Music, it’s a high quality piece music-wise. Thus, in spite of more and more melodic rock-oriented bands emerging from all parts of the world now, let’s hope that State Of Salazar won’t end up lost in the midst of time – and also, that All The Way is just the first of many great melodic rock releases the Swedes will treat us with.
Genre: Melodic Rock, AOR
Band:
Marcus Nygren – vocals
Johan Thuresson – guitar
Stefan Mårtenson – keyboard
Johannes Hansson – bass
Kristian Brun – drums
Tracklist:
1. I Believe In You
2. Field Of Dreams
3. All The Way
4. Love Of My Life
5. Eat Your Heart Out
6. Time To Say Goodbye
7. Marie
8. Let Me Love
9. Catastrophe
10. Always
11. Adrian
12. End Of Time
Label: Frontiers Records
Website: https://www.facebook.com/stateofsalazar – http://www.stateofsalazar.se
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
