KJETIL BY – Unrequited Love (2008)
Norwegian singer / songwriter / guitarist KJETIL BY has been in the Scandinavian rock scene for over 3 decades, and while music is his passion, it’s also his hobby, as Kjetil main profession is engineering.
As requested, here’s his third album titled “Unrequited Love” released by himself only in Norway, and pretty hard to find. But it’s well worth to track down CD as if you love classic Scandi melodic rock, this album is pure joy.
The immediate references for the music packed here are country fellow artists Stage Dolls, Return and T’Bell, but take all European + American AOR / Melodic Rock as influence. Kjetil sings good and sometimes reminds a little of Torstein Flakne from Stage Dolls.
And for the recording Kjetil got help by top class musician friends such as bassist Morty Black (TNT, Jorn), drummer Steinar Krogstad (Stoneflower), keyboardist Trond Hustad (Stage Dolls) and superb female singer Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime) provideing backing / harmony vocals.
This is feel-good Melodic Rock rich in melody, summer-ready breezy tunes that put a big smile on you face, very well recorded, mixed & produced.
The songs are short, to the point, a mix of rockers and midtempo tracks at places bordering AOR.
Among the highlights there’s title track ‘Unrequited Love’ with a strong chorus and lovely melodies, the cool ‘Burning’ in the vein of T’Bell with nice rockin’ guitars, and the melodious Stage Dolls-smelling rocker ‘Beautiful And Dangerous’ with great hooklines. On the slow side, ‘Big Heart’ is a strong piano ballad with fine melodies.
At first glance “Unrequited Love” may look as a small album, but it’s a very well rounded melodic rocker with quality all over. If the mentioned bands / influences are your thing > read timeless feel-good Melodic Rock, grab this one now.
Highly Recommended
01 – Unrequited Love
02 – Burning
03 – Christine
04 – Loved And Lost
05 – Beautiful And Dangerous
06 – Summerwind
07 – Wait A While
08 – Big Heart
09 – These Are The Days
10 – Angel
Kjetil By – vocals, guitars
Morty Black (TNT, Jorn)
Steinar Krogstad (Stoneflower) – drums
Trond Hustad (Stage Dolls) – keyboards
Bente Smaavik (Perfect Crime) – backing vocals
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