Stephen
Melbourne-based melodic rockers WHITE WIDDOW returned with an even stronger output in 'Serenade'. Sounding almost identical to their debut, the band kicked up the bar to a higher level with a more polished and well-crafted songs in the veins of Def Leppard's Hysteria/Adrenalize era and also wrapped up with European smooth AOR.
You can't find any fillers here, if you're really a fan of AOR, really it's just amazing to hear some heartburning songs like 'Cry Wolf', 'Strangers In The Night', or 'Serenade'. Granted there are few weaker songs such as 'Show Your Cards' or 'Mistake', but even those songs are still enjoyable. 'Do You Remember' is the most obvious Leppardized track, 'Reckless Night' is flawless, 'How Far I Run' is also stunning, but shame that the chorus is too similar with JOURNEY's 'Never Walk Away'.
This album is full of sugar-coated hooks, sing-along choruses that might remind you to the hey-day of arena rock back in the 80s, and the production is excellent. Definitely better than the debut, a 90% from me, and was in my final top ten list last year. Superb!