Release Date 8.11.19
It’s been five years since Work of Art’s third album ‘Framework’ was voted GRTR!’s melodic rock album of 2014, after which they went on an extended hiatus.
However this welcome return has shown no change in philosophy in the intervening years, from the style of super smooth, west coast influenced AOR to the art-punned album title.
Openers ‘Misguided Love’ and the lyrically uplifting ‘Be the Believer’ are typical WoA, influenced by Toto and eighties-era Chicago with Lars Safsund’s crystal clear, soaring vocals adding a layer of real quality. The intro to ‘Another Night’ calls to mind Survivor, though the song is closer in spirit to their Scandinavian melodic rock contemporaries.
Proof of their quality is the way a couple of star names have lent their talents: Jim Peterik, who was blown away by the band when they both played acoustically at a VIP event at 2014’s Melodic Rock Fest in Chicago, has four co-writing credits. Then on ‘This Isn’t Love’, which was already an album highlight for me with stabbing keys and a great chorus, keyboardist and noted film scorer Vince DiCola takes his turn including a spectacular solo mid song where organ battles synthesiser.
The dominant sound is that of keyboards, supplied by a variety of guest players, but with some super melodic guitar solos from main songwriter Robert Sall, though those looking for crunchier riffs or powerchords will search in vain. The one downside is that particularly in the middle of the album, songs like ‘Gotta Get Out’ begin to sound rather similar, while the keyboard melody on ‘Destined to Survive’ was oh so familiar.
‘Come Home’ is somewhat more ambitious with Lars’ vocals at their soaring best and likewise ‘Scars to Prove It’ has an unusually funky guitar intro from Robert but is still very melodic, reminding me of FM’s more recent work, and ‘What You Want From Me’ has a great commercial chorus.
‘Let Me Dream’ ends the album on a relatively different and interesting note, reminding me in vibe both of a vintage Foreigner ballad, and ‘Who’s Crying Now’.
I think I still marginally prefer its predecessor where they took more chances on a slightly rockier sound, but Work of Art have delivered a fourth album of sheer class which (pun intended) is another treasure. **** 1/2
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
