Rockbox. That was the name of a radio show we had in Sweden during the 80’s that actually played an hour of Hard Rock once a week. That usually never happened in Sweden back then. Around 1983-1984 I had more and more gotten into the melodic side of Hard Rock – catchy hooks, catchy riffs, big keyboards, lots of harmonies and massive choruses. So when the DJ Per Fontander played Danish AOR-rockers Skagarack’s leading single from their 1986 self-titled album “I’m Alone” I was sold. When I walked into a record store a few days later and the clerk put the album on in the speakers I knew that album was mine.
Formed by guitarist/lead singer/song writer Torben Schmidt, Skagarack became a bit of a name in AOR circles in Scandinavia and the debut – a good album that came with some minor flaws – did pretty good but it was with their sophomore album Hungry For A Game two years later where the band hit their peak. Said album knocked me for six and I was sure it’d take them right to the top. It didn’t. When the slightly heavier follow-up A Slice Of Heaven (1989) more or less bombed the band disbanded and Schmidt tried on a solo career that didn’t set the world on fire either. The band gave it one more shot in 1993 with the underwhelming album Big Time but it was 1993 after all so it didn’t do anything and the band split again. Back in 2020 the band got some offers to reunite for some gigs and so they did and the next step was of course a new album and now the first Skagarack album in 20 years is here.
Opener and single “Give It” is an upbeat pop-rock number with a big 80’s vibe in the melody-arrangements but the song also holds a bluesier, more 70’s flirting approach with a slight nod to Bad Company and the crunchy riff is all Classic Rock. It’s a mid paced tune with a catchy refrain that has Schmidt’s fingerprints all over it. I dig this. “Peace Of Mind (To Have A Good Time)” keeps the Classic Rock vibes with the bluesy outlook and a chunky rhythm with crisp guitars, an organ and a juicy grooved bass-line. The vocal-melodies and especially the chorus goes right back to the late 80’s and screams of Skagarack. A damn good song.
“A Cool Damn Car” comes off as pretty standard. It’s a straight-forward rocker with a driving beat and a steady rhythm built on classic Rock ‘n’ Roll. It’s pretty much a happy-go-lucky, upbeat and live-friendly rocker with a bit of a cruisin’-in-your-car vibe. It’s melodic with a catchy enough hook but it’s really nothing out of the ordinary. The title-track comes is a mid-paced to slower tempo with more of that bluesy Classic Rock flirts where the pumping bass holds the groove over a steady beat. The tune also brings along embracing old Whitesnake like verses that really grabs a hold but the smoother, AOR-laden chorus never really lifts the song. That said, the chorus isn’t bad, only a bit ordinary.
The mid pace continues with “Talkin’ About Jesus” and so does the bluesy, 70’s smelling Classic Rock vibes and holds a crunchy guitars and more organ albeit with a synth inserted as well. Again, the vocal melodies and the chorus hook takes a bigger 80’s approach with a bigger AOR hook. Again, I dig the verses and the pre-chorus is great but the chorus loses itself due to the lack of a real sharp hook. The slow-burning power ballad “Changing” also brings along a bit of an edgy Classic Rock touch with the guitars throwing in some blues-licks but it’s way more mid 80’s Arena Rock/Melodic Rock laden with big melody-hooks and a catchy lighter-in-the-air chorus. This is a real good one.
Speaking of 70’s Classic Rock, “To Cool To Be Old School” brings on big 70’s Deep Purple vibes – raunchy, crunchy guitars, a roaring organ and a bouncy rhythm-section on a foundation of Hard Rock. It bodes well as damn as the verses is terrific with its smooth yet not AOR poppy vocal-melodies but the chorus kinda ruins it all as it’s, to put it mildly, forgettable. Ok, it’s actually bad. Damn! Another slow-burner is the 70’s painted Blues/Classic Rock ballad “Be With You Forever”. It’s down-beat and sparse but still crunchy with a rawer edge and the blending of the organ and the 80’s keyboard makes for a dynamic contrast. It’s a warm and appealing number with embracing melodies and a very strong refrain. Very good.
Deep Purple – Come Taste The Band era – meets Bad Company in the mid-paced Classic Rock stomper “Where Have You Been”. A fat, beefy riff, a crunchy organ and a robust beat gets the song going which carries the smoother AOR-laden melodies. The song holds a juicy drive perfect for a late night rock-club with a chorus hook that sticks. Good one. Also on a slower note “Ain’t Got Nothing To Lose” continues the Classic Rock of its predecessor and even though the melodies and the chorus both brings a decent hook, it’s a song that more or less just draggles along. I can hear some catchiness but it also feels tired and lukewarm.
“So Right” is a way smoother and slicker number even though it contains a crunchy guitar. It’s pretty much a direct AOR number where the pre-chorus has borrowed strophes from Rainbow’s “Street Of Dreams”. It’s clean-cut, melodic and quite fluffy with a strong main melody and a distinct chorus-hook that’s reminiscent of the band’s late 80’s. Good one. The album closes with the laid-back and soft ballad “Anymore”, a mellow tune with an underlying darkness and a saddening vocal arrangement. The core of the song lies in 70’s Classic Rock balladry but also 80’s power ballad flirts. It’s a slick yet note mawkish little thing with a good enough chorus. An ok tune.
I’m sorry to say this but Skagarack’s reunion album is a disappointment for me. I had expected more. I wouldn’t call this a bad album but there are too many flaws here for comfort. First of all, the majority of the songs are in mid-tempo or slow-burners which makes for a tardy experience. Second, the big choruses that once was Schmidt’s trademark are too often on the forgettable side – good while listening but doesn’t linger. The verses are too often stronge than the choruses. Third, Schmidt isn’t the singer he once was. He’s never sour or off-key but he sounds strained and too often a bit tired. On the good side, I really like that the melodies are recognizable as Skagarack songs and the blending of 80’s AOR/Melodic Rock and 70’s Classic Rock makes for dynamic contrasts. This is an uneven effort and I’m sure they can do better the next time. If there is one.
5/10
Tracklist:
1. Give It
2. Peace Of Mind (To Have A Good Time)
3. A Cool Damn Car
4. Heart And Soul
5. Talkin’ Bout Jesus
6. Changing
7. Cool To Be Old School
8. Be With You Forever
9. Where Have You Been
10. Ain’t Got Nothing To Lose
11. So Right
12. Anymore
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