Power of Metal.dk Review

Work of Art
Framework
Rating
Style: Melodic Hard Rock / AOR
Release date: 19 September, 2014
Playing time: 47:24
 


This is the album I've been waiting on this whole year. Their first album "Artwork" was recorded spring and summer of 2007, and was released in February 2008. This album gave echoes around the world and received very positive reviews and they set a new standard for the melodic hard rock genre. Their follow-up album "In Progress" was released late August 2011 and Work of Art became a strong trademark and a quality stamp to high class melodic hard rock with precious and delicate AOR. Lars Säfsund on vocals is one of the best voices in the genre and with Robert Säll's magical songs makes this new album 'Framework' a true masterpiece to consume with my ears and mind. An ear feast for us melodic rock fans.

Eleven ultra melodic rock songs, all packed in a fantastic production. I didn't expect them to manage to make another album in this caliber. Every band usually do an album, which doesn't keep the previous standard, but Work of Art overwhelmed me again and after my many listenings, I can't find one filler track or filler word or riff. This has to be on my 'best album of 2014' list and maybe on the top of that list. "Framework" opens with the shining song 'Time To Let Go' with driven tempo and a Mr. Säfsund in a absolute top form. Robert Säll's guitars ooze of stylish string performance. The melodic and fine song 'How Will I Know' is a classy AOR gem in a mid tempo. I have to mention the talented and fabulous drummer Herman Furin's work on all of their albums. Many times the singer and guitar player steal most of the spotlight, but Herman is a big reason for the exceptional sound picture on Work of Art's three albums. His sensitive wrists hits the cymbals perfectly and gives the band it's high quality rhythms.

'Shout Till You Wake Up' is a amazing song and it could have been on any Toto album. This is one of my favourite tracks! 'Can't Let Go' is a positive and a great dance song, which is hopeless to sit still to. There's a huge steam of Toto on this tune. Another super track is 'How Do You Sleep At Night', which has a catchy tempo and is a guitar driven song. One of few down tempo songs is the brilliant 'Over the Line' with magnificent chorus, clear vocals and easy-going tempo. The heaviest song might be 'The Machine' with slightly stiffer guitar sound, but still in the melodic safety zone. I like the tasteful tempo reduction before the glimmering guitar solo in this song.

The first ballad is the beautiful song 'Hold on to Love', which is my wife's favourite song by the way. I thought it was another ballad when 'Natalie' began, but the song accelerates into an up tempo track with sparkling keyboards and top notch vocals. 'The Turning Point' is a showcase of how melodic rock should be played; a song with everything packed in perfect harmony. Fantastic. This masterpiece of an album closes with a smooth ballad 'My Waking Dream' and this is one of the finest ballads I've heard this year. Work of Art has done it again and I can't give any other score than the highest.

My first 99/100 and I stand behind it. If you like soaring world class vocals, shiny and driven guitars, airy keys and amazing drums in melodic hard rock package, this is a very given purchase. I'm proud to be a Swede with such talented countrymen.

Line up:
Lars Säfsund - Vocal
Robert Säll - Guitar
Herman Furin - Drums


Tracklist
01. Time To Let Go
02.
How Will I Know
03.
Shout Till You Wake Up
04.
Can't Let Go
05.
How Do You Sleep At Night
06.
Over The Line
07.
The Machine
08.
Hold On To Love
09. Natalie
10. The Turning Point
11. My Waking Dream
Label: Frontiers Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 96/100
Reviewed by: Patrik J Skoglund
Date: 15 September, 2014
Website: www.facebook.com/musicofworkofart