Anette Olzon, former singer of Nightwish, will soon release her first album entitled "Shine". We got a chance to listen to the album before its release, so we decided to do a review. Although she was in a heavy metal band, Anette has chosen a lighter rock sound. Anette worked on a material for her solo album ever since 2009, when she was still in Nightwish.
The album starts slowly with a song that we've heard before, "Like A Show Inside My Head". Simple text and melody fit well with distinctive soft vocals. The album continues with the title track "Shine". A heavier song than the previous one, where the drums and guitars with a powerful chorus show real Swedish rock. Perhaps this song could have been even better if Anette sang it in a duet with someone. After this song there's another, previously known song, "Floating", or how Anette once called it
the circus song. Not much different than the demo version. Another slower song on the album with a catchy chorus, followed by her
divorce song "Lies" - the first single for which Anette recorded a music video, directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company. Another heavier song with
nordic touch, one of the highlights of the album. The song "Invincible" Anette wrote for her son. Sensual and slow song that we also heard before. Also, not much different from the demo version.
The song that opens the second half of the album is "Hear Me". This energetic song already had its premiere on the radio. Also one of the highlights of the album. Followed by "Falling," which is the weakest song on the album. Also a song that we've already heard. "Moving Away" is a beautiful emotional ballad. One of the strongest songs on the album that is followed by a magical breathtaking song with smooth vocals, "One Million Faces".
I can see why Anette left the best for last. "Watching Me From Afar" is the strongest song on the album, also a song that we heard earlier. I just wished it was arranged like it was in Helsingborg Arena performance.
It's a good album, but it would be so much better if it had 2-3 more songs and at least one duet. Anette sings with her heart. You like her solo work or you don't. Nevertheless, it's great to see Anette experimenting and doing something completely different from her earlier work in Nightwish.
7/10
by: Bruno Sojčić
