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Swedish “supergroup” The Night Flight Orchestra, feature amongst their ranks, Soilwork vocalist Bjorn Strid and Arch Enemy bassist Sharlee D’Angelo. They sound bugger all like either of these bands. ‘Amber Galactic’ is pure, unadulterated late 70’s early 80’s AOR with an added dash of classic rock. Toto on speed, possibly? In places, yes. Strid perhaps describes it best by saying “Most other classic rock bands sound like weed or LSD – we sound like cocaine.” Foreigner and Survivor meets Toto and ELO in a nightclub where Tony Montana has his head buried in a mountain of coke. The shoulder pads and lapels are massive and there’s a fricking tiger prowling about in a cage behind the bar. That’s how 80’s this baby is. Hell, Strid even wears a beret ala Survivor’s Dave Bickler in the video for ‘Something Mysterious’, but, what’s incredible about ‘Amber Galactic’ is that for an album so steeped in nostalgia it’s actually very, very fresh. ‘Midnight Flyer’ sets the tone with it’s vintage keyboard sound that could be playing over a training montage from the Karate Kid or Rocky III, or any Chuck Norris movie for that matter. Strid’s vocals are sharp and precise, cleaner than a nun’s chuff during Lent. He sounds like he is having a genuine blast. ‘Star Of Rio’ is so much fun, it’s cheesey as hell with it’s “of the time” backing vocals and pounding drum beats. After a few spins I was struggling to think who Strid reminded me of on this one, then it hit me… Graham Bonnet on the classic Rainbow album ‘Down To Earth’. This easily could have been the flip side to either ‘All Night Long’ or ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’. Nothing wrong with a bit of cheese now and again, mind you! ‘Sad State Of Affairs’ is pure AOR gold; gorgeous layered vocals, simple riffs, and funky piano fills mid song. Like any self-respecting AOR classic album, The Night Flight Orchestra make sure that the guitars are prominent. Foreigner without Mick Jones or Toto without Steve Lukather? Inconceivable. ‘Jennie’ has a Supertramp ‘Breakfast In America’ bounce throughout the opening few moments, and the keyboards from Richard Larsson are crucial to the overall sound. Likewise, Larsson is all over ‘Domino’. D’Angelo also gets a chance to shine on a bass-heavy track straight from the golden, hedonistic days of Studio ‘54. ‘Josephine’ will have you double checking that this is indeed the same guy that fronts Soilwork. A very infectious track with many, many instant hooks. It’s impossible not to smile from ear to ear when listening to it, and almost as impossible to not break out the air-keyboard as the song fades out. ‘Space Whisperer’ is another change of pace as the band up the tempo a notch or two, with fast paced, galloping drums, and a nod or two towards Jeff Lynne (as does epic closing track ‘Saturn In Velvet’). ‘Something Mysterious’ has so many references to Survivor, the aforementioned beret, the punchy bass and drums, the warm, soothing vocals. Goddam, it’s so catchy that Jim Peterik must be kicking his own ass that he never wrote it. The Night Flight Orchestra have produced a totally unexpected pleasure of an album. Available now on Nuclear Blast Records, more information on Facebook Review: Dave Stott]]>
