ROULETTE – Now! (2019) *HQ*
ROULETTE was founded in 1985 in Sundsvall, Sweden and quickly became the talk of the town. They toured with, among others, Treat, Electric Boys & Lion’s Share and released the single ‘Hearts keep on burning’ with Tommy Nilsson (ex Easy Action) on backing vocals in 1987. The band dissolved in the Nineties, and had a small revival back in 2010 with the compilation album of unreleased recordings ”Better Late Than Never”.
Then another pause came, before Roulette began releasing a series of singles between 2015 and 2017.
2019 was the time for a new full length CD, properly titled “Now!”.
Roulette’s blend of classy Scandinavian AOR / Melodic rock remains intact in “Now!”. You know the genre, the characteristic elements, and you will hear them in every arrangement: memorable melodies, vocal and guitar harmony, strong beat and groove, sweet guitar solos and, of course, strong and soaring vocals.
Thomas Lundgren has a powerful voice, his vocals rising and leading every song, plenty of catchy refrains for arena ready AOR accessibility.
Diving straight in, opener ‘Never Enough’ ticks all the right boxes and sets you up for at shot at the summer skies with it’s lush melody and gently thrusting guitar. ‘Keep on Dreaming’ that follows has a similar gentle persuasion and might even just shade it, with an even greater shot of melody and drive.
And if you like what you’ve heard so far then Roulette has another eight ready and waiting.
On an album with great consistency and no more than slight changes of pace and scenery there’s still some variety at play as “one of Sweden’s most acclaimed AOR bands during the 80s / 90s” let you know they’ve still plenty in the tank in 2019.
I love the harder edge of ‘Soldiers of Love’ for example, and that melody just works so well. Then there’s the lush ballad ‘Secret Room’ that takes all the pace off and really showcases the tightness of the band and Lundgren’s great vocals.
Elsewhere wherever you dip you really can’t go wrong, this is a wonderful album for smooth AOR fans crafted in the classic vein of the genre.
If you hanker after a slice of classy AOR-infused Melodic Rock with an uplifting message, a great sound and crystal clear production, then Roulette”s “Now!” is a mandatory listen.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Never Enough
02 – Keep on Dreaming
03 – Soldiers of Love
04 – We Can Make It
05 – Secret Room
06 – Better Day
07 – Turn It Around
08 – The Only Way
09 – Another Night
10 – Right by Your Side
Vocals – Thomas Lundgren
Guitar, Keyboards – Magnus Nelin
Bass – Hansi Fellbrink
Drums – Mats Nelin
BUY:
www.amazon.co.uk/Now-Roulette/dp/B07MG12KPQ
