LUIS WASQUES – Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares (2018)
“Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares” is the title of the new album of singer, songwriter and solo artist LUIS WASQUES. This is the third solo album from Wasques after 10 years, but meanwhile he has been recording and performing as frontman for various bands, such as melodic rockers Superstitious.
Well, Luis Wasques solo and “Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares” is all about the classic sound of the genre – but not only melodic rock but also ’80s AOR.
Wasques take care of all aspects of “Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares”: besides singing, he play guitar, bass, keys, synths and drums, resulting in the most personal work possible.
This guy loves classic ’80s Melodic Rock / AOR, and this is what you get on this album; lots of keyboards, melodious guitar riffs, and a singer with a nice vocal register at the service of really melodic tunes.
There’s a distinctive aspect in “Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares”, typical of indie / self managed artists / groups: you can feel they’re playing from the heart, with passion. Wasques loves this genre and you can tell listening every song here.
While most drums are programmed (a letdown for some, not for me) and the mix is not always accurate, boy, I love this kinda stuff.
Opener ‘Bitter Dreams’ sounds like a mix of first half of the Eighties Bon Jovi meets Italians Wheels Of Fire, then ‘Arms Of Love’ has some Blue Tears on it, and ‘Now and Forever’ a bit of Europe but with a twist.
Ballad ‘Something You Gotta Feel’ has a Journey atmosphere – as on the entire album – the the synths of ‘Turn on Your Light’ are very European.
Luis provide variation on the acoustically driven ‘When There’s Nothing to Hold On’ – his vocals here bring to my mind Bruce Dickinson on Tears of the Dragon.
For more melodic rock check the festive ‘Sunday Morning’, and if you need an Americanized AOR touch, listen to ‘Sweet Nightmares’
As said, there’s a lot of passion put in “Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares”, there’s some tech flaws and an indie smell, but you know, this even adds more charm to the album. It sounds like a lost US 1987 high quality pre-production demos Melodic Rock / AOR album, and I love it.
Anyway, make no mistake, Luis Wasques sings very well, and songwriting is strong and cleverly arranged.
For fans of classic Melodic Rock / AOR and that ’80s lost tapes found’ kinda releases, you’ll love “Bitter Dreams And Sweet Nightmares”.
Highly Recommended
01 – Bitter Dreams
02 – Arms of Love
03 – Now and Forever
04 – Something You Gotta Feel
05 – Spirits of the Road
06 – Turn on Your Light
07 – When There’s Nothing to Hold On
08 – Sunday Morning
09 – Living Child
10 – Sweet Nightmares
All songs written, recorded and produced by Luis Wasques
Guitar solo in “Sunday Morning” by Rodrigo Cordeiro
Keyboards in “Living Child” by Flavio De Marchi
BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/bitter-dreams-and-sweet-nightmares/1389817408
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