Osukaru - 'Triumphant' Hot

80's AOR in excelsis: if you want that, you got it.

"The second time as farce"? When Osukaru's first proper album was released last year, they flew pretty high; it was well reviewed and received. And so there's a little breath-holding here, a tiny expectation. And if it ain't broke...ah, guitarist Oz Osukaru doesn't subscribe to that. He's made some changes, upgrading the vocal team to Fredrik Werner and Cecilia Camuli in a step which should be a treat.

Well, it isn't. The problem is that they occasionally sound out of tune, they may not be of course, but they do sound like those "X-Factor" and "The Voice" contenders who certainly have tuning issues. Only occasionally, but it spoils the enjoyment somewhat. The music is a good offer, attempting to produce the über AOR sound which plenty should love; the title cut is a massive tune, sunny and widdling around the dancing vocals and blaring sax. 'Prisoner Of The Night' underlines it, tight riffing and that cobweb-clearing sax with a smoky sense thrown into the mix.

We even have a pan pipe feel and John Farnham chanting, the almost-risible 'Walk In Balance' adding faux-operatic female vox and cod narrative almost tipping that balance. And then 'Mafia Rules' (really?) arrives, Oz turning his up his amp almost in a fit of pique, Fredrik pushing the rock, Cecilia supporting softly, grooving in the chorus, funking a little, a sax snaking around, the solo beautifully smooth.

Deluxe package, 14 tracks, well produced. Is it good? Yes. It is great? No. Is it bold? Undoubtedly. 80's AOR in excelsis; if you want that, you got it. By sidestepping the new breed in the market, this album may be the winner they want.

They might want to look at auto-tune, mind you.

Steve Swift