Band : Stage Dolls
Album title : Always
Label : AOR Heaven Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux
Release Date : 26/02/2010
Release : CD

They exist for over 25 years, and yet this is only their seventh studio album, the last one "Get A Life" dating back to 2004.

Now to say that in their home country Norway they are big might be an understatement.  And way back in the late eighties, when on MTV you still had at least one decent program "Headbanger's Ball" you even might be lucky and see or hear them on TV.  Sadly those days are long gone, nowadays when you put on MTV it's either a silly show like "The Osbournes" or you are staring at some big-titted scarcely clad lady cavorting around in a video clip by one of the far too many rapstars.

Enough said about the decline of MTV. Let's go back to the music.
Well they might not be prolific songwriters, by which I mean that quantity is not their trademark, but sure enough quality is.  It's a shame there are only 10 songs on this album, but what cracker songs they are.  They manage to effortlessly mix ballads and rocks songs.  For instance, the album starts with the title track "Always" a nice rock song, immediately followed by "Raining On A Sunny Day", a very good ballad.
Once and again the songs are accompanied by a female choir, which just puts in that extra touch.
It's a shame that bands like these do not get more attention, because this is good value for your money.  Yet another great release by AOR Heaven.  Go out and buy it.

96/100

Erik Morren.