ROXETTE.RO - from fans, for fans

Roxette needs no introduction. Hits produced in the late eighties and early nineties, stand still in the treasury of all times music. However, their comeback was a big unknown. On one side it`s, in a way, the retelling return of a musical tale that has no success today , on the other side is the very concept of Roxette  who, willy-nilly, means something  in the music world. Is it therefore, the new album Charm School, another one of many trips to the convulsive past?

Even if  Charm School has been out for more than a week, most of the fans listen to it in the headphones, T-music magazine is the first one that provides you a detailed review.

While doctors gave 5% chance of survival to the singer Marie Fredriksson ten years ago, few were expecting that the Nordic factory hits would ever come back. But the Miracle happened, in 2011 Roxette comes back.

The good thing - a full comeback. Even if the Swedish duo has released one of the many bestoffs and has started the tour, no one has anything to blame.. Nevertheless, the band decided to release a new material ... A comeback of old hits, that you can check off from the very beginning. The crucial question is this: Has Roxette something to say today? The perfect answer is provided by the album itself...

For students, Roxette are considered to be authors of immortal ballads (Listen To Your Heart, It Must Have Been Love) and power pop hits (Joyride, The Look, How Do You Do!) and their creative abilities has remained faithful in Charm School . What's more, the balance is admirably created, slow vs. fast - six to six.

The fact that the band is in good form is indicated by the opening song Way Out. A classic Roxette opening hit, recorded in a good mood that was given by guitar and pop influences. Alpha and Omega are Gessle’s creative abilities, who hits from the start with strong songs, catchy chorus and colours. The second song and the first ballad No One Makes It On Her Own, confirms that the band has not got lost here. After a slower start which gently culminates with the piano, there are gradually added electric guitar and chorus, kitsch and sugar. But all this would not work without Marie Fredriksson – the range of her voice, although diminishing with the passing of the years, the exceptional colour and the mesmerizing interpretation remain.

The third one is a flag bearer radio She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio), an electro-dance pop with elements of funk and retro, which attacks  the younger generation. To this song, one cannot deny one thing: the sprint to the goal. Followed by the top plate. Dark power ballad Speak To Me fascinates by the surprisingly oppressive atmosphere – refined start, magnificent chorus, superb location, piano parts and Marie Fredriksson’s best performance on the album.

First weak song while the band is taking issues in the chamber I'm Glad You Called, pleased with simplicity. Although Roxette usually sing acoustic, it has no enough vigour this time. Reputation improves in the subsequent song Only When I Dream - it has energy to spare. Gessle reaffirms the reputation of a talented hit maker, has perfectly done the song - straight rests in the pits and finish up... When the perfect blend with the Marie`s voice has been added, there rises up a duet par excellence in the world.

Sprightly like a trip to Liverpool in the 60’s is the song Dream On. When you listen to that kind of thing, it  just cannot rain outside - ideal "picnic". More stringent brings Big Black Cadillac, which, at least in the number of power horses, definitely misses its effect. Massive sound and sampled guitars have confirmed that it is on the list to promote the album - but maybe it won`t succeed...

It`s followed by a soothing trip to the valley of whispers and tears. The ballad In My Own Way – another Crash! Boom! Bang! in the second millennium, defined by Marie`s breathtaking confession, which everybody will enjoy for sure. The tenth in the series is the song After All, an outpouring of enthusiastic music – but without duo and quartet. By the way - a wonderful advertising for oranges!

The big final comes with the penultimate song Happy on the Outside. Ballad of your weaker moments collected in a repetitive way, while the chorus and the glamorous party piano à la Chris Martin are among the best on the board. The last song is another slow affair Sitting on the Top of the World, by far the latest hilarious song which evokes so coincidentally the final song Perfect Day from the album Joyride. It can hardly be criticized for something specific - no carrier theme song should remain in the ideal stage.

Catchy melodies, strong choruses, refined and perfectly harmonious interplay of male and female music - define the Roxette brand, which is not a big unknown, Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson built it decades ago, and continues today.

The boundaries between themselves and the worship established values are indeed a matter of subjectivity, but the first wins. Well, you might consider they are stealing from the Muse and the guitar exhibition and Coldplay piano with variations... Roxette are simply represented by their name, even after ten years, in style and with honour. Their Charm School is more than a cold northern embrace, it’s an exciting embrace that takes the breath away and causes you creeps in fingers.

Source: T-music