Winter Parade Two
by Leyla Hamedi
Staff Writer
With its synthesizer opening and The Go-Gos-like tune the first impression Winter Parade makes is one of, “Oh what the hell is this?” But then the later Scorpions era Klaus Meine vocals come in as well as the fresh- out- of- Jersey Bon Jovi melodies and well, grudgingly you have to admit they’re a little bit awesome.
“Real Life City,” is the first song of the record and the song that brings this about-face. With it’s bittersweet lyrics and Journey-style yearning, it probably would’ve been one of those songs radio never stopped playing had it been released in 1983.
Along these lines, “Homeward Bound,” doesn’t so much as embrace the ‘80s as grab them in a relentless chokehold much like ones your grandmother (the one who wears the red lipstick that won’t rub off no matter how much you scrub your face) would trap you in. It’s almost power-metal vocals (in style not content, no dragons here) weave in and out with inoffensive electric guitars and a main synth line that channels the Ghostbuster’s theme. “I’m Still Alive,” has a ridiculously happy, rollicking chorus line that seems to fit quite well with the title.
“Rollercoasting,” is one of those tracks that seems like it already exists and you’ve already heard it before. It’s on the tip of your tongue and yet you just can’t put a name to it. But, if you want wind-in-your-hair, bellowing-out-the-lyrics epicness, “Leave It Behind,” is the perfect track. “Lion’s Den,” seems like it should be the theme song to one of those old cartoons that featured some sort of mutated yet super-cool superheroes while, “Pfam,” would be more suited for the montage scene in a Rocky movie or similar.
Though a little heavy on the sometimes cringe-worthy synthesizer, especially in the intro to the last track, “Sophomoronic,” Two is nonetheless a fun, happy record for those days you feel like air-guitaring like there’s no tomorrow. Or until your roommates come home.
Web site: Official Site
Label: Perris Records
Band Members:
Bjorn West- Vocals
PB Riise- Bass
Dice Jacobsen- Guitars, Drums, Keyboards
Track Listing:
Real Life City
St. John’s Asylum
Homeward Bound
I’m Still Alive
Rollercoasting
Lion’s Den
Leave It Behind
Pfam
Gone (From My Life)
Sophomoronic
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10