THE THEANDER EXPRESSION – Strange Nostalgia (2013)

* the Real one – only for 24hs

“Strange Nostalgia” is the debut CD from THE THEANDER EXPRESSION, the project of young Swedish guitarist Andrée Theander to be released next September 20.
After graduated as professional studio musician at the Piteå University, Andrée spent several months in the USA where he attended various courses at the Musicians Institute (GIT) in Los Angeles. During his stay in California Andrée met Fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber who invited him to lay down some guitar tracks for his Galaxy album in 2012.
Quite an honour for a young virtually unknown music student to be included in the album credits next to L.A. session cats like Michael Thompson, Vinnie Colaiuta or Jimmy Haslip.

Back in Sweden Theander felt he was ready to make his dream come true and to start working on his own album. Andrée recruted a great line-up of Rock musicians from Sweden, he either knew personally or who had impressed him with their previous work.
Over the course of the months the recording debut of The Theander Expression began to take shape with Göran Edman (Street Talk, Glory, Malmsteen), and the very promising newcomer Christian Hedgren sharing the lead vocals, Herman Furin (Work Of Art, Fergie Frederiksen) on drums, Linus Abrahamson on bass and Michael Ottosson on keyboards.

The result of the recording sessions, which were completed by the mix of Per Ryberg (Street Talk, Sven Larsson, Bloodbound) and the mastering of Sören von Malmborg (Dan Reed) is nothing but spectacular, proving that Andrée Theander is a very talented songwriter and a strikingly skilled guitar player, who knows how to leave a lasting impression by combining his technical skills with a lot of feeling and an unmistakable sense for catchy melodies.
Together with his band he has delivered a pure AOR album in the best L.A. Session style influenced by Dann Huff bands (White Heart, Giant), Toto or Jay Graydon, mixed with the new Swedish Melodic Rock sounds from the likes of Tommy Denander, Street Talk, Sven Larsson and Work Of Art.

Although there’s many ’80s vintage AOR numbers in “Strange Nostalgia” such as the elegant “Insanity Cell”, the groovy “Like A Chameleon” (featuring Göran Edman), the wonderful Toto / Lukather like “Masterpiece In The Dark” or the properly entitled “Feelings Of Luxury” (love this one), this album is spiced up with energetic Melodic rockers as well.
There’s really energetic riffs, licks and driving solos (all extremely polished) on “Conception Of Life” in the Tommy Denander’s Radioactive style, the moving “Sanguine” or the uptempo AOR title track.

“Mr. Know-It-All” is a highlight much in the vein of my beloved Mecca and with a superb guitar melodic line that Steve Lukather would be proud of. Seriously, Andrée Theander is incredibly tasteful and skilled on the six-strings.
“Meet Me There Tonight” is the ballad, combining the best late eighties L.A. elements and where singer Christian Hedgren showcases his toneful throat. This guy is a revelation on all aspects, a vocalist to watch for in the future.
Talking about excellent singers, master Göran Edman provides a free lesson of class and versatility on closer “Champagne Wishes And Caviar Dreams”, another great tune in a mid-tempo AOR mould where harmonies rule.

Seems September will be the AOR month and what I heard until now exceeds my highest expectations.
“Strange Nostalgia” is a first class, awesome debut by The Theander Expression, ticking all the right boxes when we talk about elaborated AOR / Melodic Rock. There’s not a single weak song here, trust me.
Add to that top notch musicianship and a pristine production and you have a winner.
I can’t recommend The Theander Expression enough, do yourself a favor and grab a copy pronto.
Excellent.

01. Conception Of Life
02. Strange Nostalgia
03. Insanity Cell
04. Like A Chameleon
05. Sanguine
06. Feelings Of Luxury
07. Mr. Know-It-All
08. Masterpiece In The Dark
09. Meet Me There Tonight
10. Champagne Wishes And Caviar Dreams

Andre Theander – Guitars and backing vocals
Christian Hedgren – Lead vocals on tracks 1-3 and 7-9
Goran Edman – Lead vocals on tracks 4-6 and 10, backing vocals
Michael Ottosson – Keyboards
Linus Abrahamson – Bass
Herman Furin – Drums and percussion
Peter Gardemar, Ylva Nilsson – Strings on track 9
Philip Magnusson – Backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, and 7
Elin kesson – Backing vocals on tracks 6 and 10

Pre-Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Strange-Nostalgia-Theander-Expression/dp/B00EO2WX50
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