Marie Ain't Around, But A Decent Time Overall :)
MarieLover | California | 05/01/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Ah, what to say, what to say about my beloved Per Gessle, of Roxette fame... with his musical partner Marie Fredriksson he took the world by storm in the late 80's and some of us never got off the bus when they were on their Joyride, so I'm the first one at this party and I have to give a just and proper review... well, Marie isn't here first and foremost so for anyone looking for a full-fledged Roxette album don't expect it, although the new girl Helena ( I still haven't figured it all yet, after 20 years of listening to Marie's voice not having her around just doesn't exactly make me jump for joy when a new singer emerges, but I'll still give her a fair shake ) doesn't exactly have a bad voice, but she is IN NO WAY a Marie Fredriksson and it shows on this album. Per does most of the singing and in every way this is his very own album, not more so than TWATG was because on this album he does have Helena singing along with him perhaps trying to recreate some of the old Roxette magic we Rox fans know and love... the highlights on this album are " Silly Really ", a Bee-Gees meets Roxette 70's type disco tune... " Breathe Life Into Me ", typical Per Gessle airy, light breezy pop... the overtly sexual yet still Per Gessle innuendo styled " I Didn't Mean To Turn You On ", which has a slight reggae beat to it... and the last track " Doesn't Make Sense ", not a Roxette or Per Gessle type song at all, something very ethereal and willowy, surreal almost... I don't know what he was doing when he was recording this album but he really broke new ground on this one, kinda like what he and Marie did on " H.A.N.D " in '99... all in all a rewarding effort and an worthy addition to Per's vast library of work... he is VERY underrated as a musician and anybody who thinks he is all hooks and shallow catchy lyrics about love, ice cream, balloons, sex on summer day and all the other stuff he sings about is deluding themselves. Sometimes music can be enjoyable without meaning much, and Per Gessle himself isn't trying to change the world with his music, but Roxette has always been about moods and making you feel whatever you want to feel at any given time... from Gyllene Tider, to Roxette, to Marie Fredriksson, and Per Gessle... this icon of Swedish pop and ultimately WORLD MUSIC will endure for a long time to come. Hey, he's been a musician for over 32 YEARS and he's only 50 years old... I don't care what anybody says, this guy's a genius and I'll be buying his records forever. Keep Roxin' Per, YOU'RE THE MAN!!!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1