Band : Saracen
Album title : Marilyn
Label : Escape Music
Distributor : Connecting Music
Release Date : 23/09/2011
Release : CD

You cannot blame Saracen for being over productive, as they’ve taken five years since their last album to release something new upon this world.  And yet again it’s a concept album, this time it deals with the life (and death) of Norma Jean, better known as Marilyn Monroe.

Now when I heard the intro song, I thought 'this is going to be a rather boring cd', cause it sounded just like some famous song played by James Last’s band. But I must say I was totally wrong. Actually Saracen still sounds more or less like they sounded in their beginnings. Their music is centered around lush keyboards, with nice guitar parts by Rob Bendelow, and good vocals by Steve Bettney. Of course what also help on this album are the guest vocalists. The fantastic Robin Beck, but also Norwegians singing talent Issa lends a helping hand, and finally  Mr. Steve Overland’s mighty voice. Just listen to song nr. 5, a duet between Mr. Overland and Ms. Beck. If these were the eighties, this song might have made it to the charts, or could easily have been used as soundtrack in a movie.

A very good release, highly recommended.

90/100

Erik Morren.