JURAYA – The Search Is Over (2014)
After the recent exclusive JURAYA feature here on the blog, one of you asked for their two previous albums, not easy to find. “The Search Is Over” is Juraya’s more recent effort delivering lovely classic Melodic Rock sounds abound through these charming, bright songs.
This Swiss band has been around the block for many years, with all members honing their musical talents in other bands such as Up in Smoke, Aladdin, Change, Atlantis Airport, Tuff Stuff and Melrose. Each musician contributes different experiences and skills, gained from multiple concerts and international tours. Juraya has played as supporting act for the likes of Rick Springfield, Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO), Saga, The Sweet, Uriah Heep, Krokus and many others.
‘Places’ flirts with AOR with its terrific chorus and cadence, midtempo ‘Hold On’ bring to mind Terra Nova early albums, the rocking ‘The Piper’ has some American touches ala 7th Heaven, then ‘Offer My Soul’ has some Bad Habit on its catchy structure and skillful guitar solo.
Maybe you remember the highly enjoyable side project of Fred Hendrix (Terra Nova) called Aquila, combining pop with melodic rock, well, ‘Say Goodbye’ is in this vein with a great vocal work by lead singer Peter Urfer.
The atmospheric yet quite rocking ‘Blue Lies’ has some of Blue Tears-like patterns, while midtempo / partially ballad title track ‘The Search Is Over’ (not a Survivor cover) is really elegant with a fantastic AOR chorus resembling the glory days of Canadian AOR.
I am not completely convinced by their version of ‘My Way’ (popularized by Frank Sinatra), then the band close the album in top form with ‘Pictures’, a superb tune with only piano / synth orchestration and great vocals.
“The Search Is Over” showcases Juraya’s varied facets and influences, always revolving around classic Melodic Rock with AOR touches plenty of sweet melodies and catchy choruses.
Highly Recommended
01 – Places
02 – Little history
03 – Hold on
04 – Separate ways
05 – The piper
06 – Offer my soul
07 – You’re alive
08 – Blue lies
09 – My way
10 – The search is over
11 – Say goodbye
12 – Pictures
Peter Urfer: vocals
Gian Carlos Monn: guitars, keyboards
Jurg Bill: bass
Adrian Forrer: drums
BUY IT !
www.cede.ch/en/music/?view=detail&branch_sub=2&id=1140522
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