Confessions (Album)

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Some twenty three years since their formation, fans of Sweden’s Angleline can finally celebrate the release of their first full length album. It has been a long and sometimes arduous journey for the musicians that make up the band who formed as teenagers and had to deal with the tragic passing of original vocalist Jorgen ‘Sigge’ Sigvardsson, whose long problems with a heart condition claimed his life back in 1995. Since 1997 the remaining quartet have held a bi-annual get together in his memory and when the band performed at the event in 2007 they realised that there remained an audience for their music which brings the Angeline story right up to date with the writing, recording and release of ‘Confessions’.

The CD immediately explodes from the blocks with the punchy ‘Pray!’ that is strong on hooks, melody and emotion and is an instant winner. This is an album of solid songwriting, arrangements and musicianship alongside a strong self-assurance that evidences the bands maturity. Guitarist Jocke Nilsson also handles vocal duties and does so with considerable success – delivering driving riffs with a gritty edge on ‘Blackout’ and the title track and having the perfect voice to suit the insistent grooves and smooth choruses. Sentimental ballads are a pre-requisite of albums such as ‘Confessions’ and ‘Miracles’ proves to be another strong effort with Nilsson again in sparkling form with his melodic vocal. Not simply a one man show, across the twelve tracks he is ably assisted by guitarist Janne Arkegren and the rhythm section of Uffe Nilsson and Tobbe Jonsson on bass and drums respectively, all three of whom have a long history with the band that goes right back to their origins. The harmony vocals and overall uplifting vibe will find admirers from fans of vintage Harem Scarem on the likes of ‘Someday Somehow’ and the funked up ‘Fuel To Your Fire’ and this is an album that can genuinely claim to have ‘no filler’ as the quality holds up throughout.

It has been a long time coming but Angeline can finally be afforded a warm welcome from the Melodic Rock scene and on the evidence of ‘Confessions’ they certainly have a lot to offer. Proof indeed that there is hope for the underdog and let’s hope they don’t keep us waiting as long for album number two.

Dean Pedley (Fireworks Magazine U.K)

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