Norwegian AOR band Memoria Avenue, released their debut album on November 5, 2021 through Frontiers Music Srl. The band is made up of members: Jan Le’Brandt, on lead and backing vocals; Tor Talle, on guitars, keyboard and bass; Dag Selboskar, on keyboards; Svenn Huneide, on bass; and Bjørn Olav Lauvdal, on drums.
Memoria Avenue have also invited some guest musicians to perform on this debut, including: Mick Devine, who sings backing and harmony vocals; Mats Ericsson, on drums on the track “Stuck”; Bengt Risåsen, on bass on the track ‘Sometimes”; and Marianne Hagen, vocals on the track, “If You Fall”.
The band has a Mike and the Mechanics sound mixed well with Toto and maybe Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen, to give their sound the heavier vocals and, at times harder guitars.
All the songs are a great journey back to 1980s AOR rock n’ roll. There are no fillers and each song has its own stand-out moments.
My favorite tracks on the album include: The opener “Struck”, with its powerful opening and voracious beat. This track reminded me of some of Mike and the Mechanics songs, with more of a metal singer. “Can’t Blame it on the Rain”, is another good ‘80s rocker. “The Air that I Breathe’, is not the cover of the Hollie’s classic, but it is also another good song with a great rockin’ beat, and some fantastic guitar soloing. “Waiting Forever”, is a wonderful ballad, and one of the best tracks on the album. “Nathalia”, with its opening keyboards, reminiscent of Hagar-era Van Halen is the second-best track on the album. The helicopter sounds that open “Run with Me”, had me remembering Aldo Nova’s classic, “Fantasy”. The song is also good on its own. “Someday” is another classic AOR song, full of power. “High as a Kite” is another good ballad. They saved the best for last. “Picket Fence” is a dynamite closer full of wonderful “come together” lyrics. A song about everyone working together again.
This is a solid album, full of 1980s nostalgia that does bring back memories of that era well. Great for the car or relaxing by a fire. Memoria Avenue will fill your need for 80s era AOR rock and roll.
Track List
- Struck – 3:45
- Stranded – 4:11
- Can’t Blame it on the Rain – 4:32
- The Air that I Breath – 4:19
- Waiting Forever – 4:32
- Nathalia – 4:49
- Sometimes – 4:47
- Run with Me – 4:59
- If You Fall – 4:23
- Someday – 5:12
- High as a Kite – 4:09
- Picket Fence – 5:21