AURAS - review added 9th March 2010
Album Review: New Generation (2010)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and South American Journey
Brazilian band Auras was formed at the beginning of 2007 by Gui Oliver on vocals
and Ferpa Lacerda on guitars (now joined by Edu Sallum on drums, Matheus Brandon on guitars,
and Hemerson Vieira on bass). The guys had been playing in cover bands until they decided to head down the 'originals' road.
By the following year they had already opened for Jeff Scott Soto and Jimi Jamison. Not long after that they were signed to Italy's Frontiers Records - the first South American band to do so.
First release for the band, New Generation, was mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Sunstorm, Place Vendome, Khymera) and recalls the work of Journey, Survivor and more. There's a wonderful old-school feel to the songs, although they certainly don't sound dated. The album is far from perfect as a whole, although parts of it get bloody close.
The very Journey-esque 'Beauty Of Dreams' kicks things off. It's a fine track with a wonderful chorus, and gives the rest of the album a lot to live up to. 'Forgive And Forget' quickly displays a problem that comes and goes throughout the album - pronunciation of the word 'the' often said as 'de' instead. It's a small complaint, but annoying and easily remedied at the studio stage. The song itself is upbeat, spunky and enjoyable.
'Never Give Up' rattles along nicely, but is all a bit predictable. The first ballad, 'In My Arms' is much more like it. It's another heavily Journey influenced track that, although taking a time to get going, ends up draped in the middle of first kiss territory. The understated 'Reach Out' has some amazing progressions in it, and the chorus is lovely. The title track pops up next. It comes across as a fun, if inferior take on the bands who influenced Auras.
No such problem for 'Forever In Your Eyes'. It's an utterly awesome song with a chorus you could get jiggy with in the back of a borrowed car. A phrase I find myself saying more often than I'd care: if the whole album had sounded this good it would have been a blinder. 'Hungry Hearts' is a pleasant entry, if overshadowed by its forebear. 'That’s The Way Love Goes' has a touch of Toto in its make-up, and is okay if derivative.
'Keep On Loving You' is a feel good entry with some nice Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet keyboards in the background. It's arguably a bit too nice for its own good, but just about gets away with it. 'Out Of Love' is a ballad with a lot of heart but not enough substance to truly impress. Good, but not great. Final track 'Love To Survive' has a fine chorus and is a pleasant way to end the album.
When Auras get it right, boy do they get it right. Unfortunately, too much of New Generation is only 3/4 of the way to stardom and that's not enough to achieve brilliance. Saying that, there are a couple of top tracks, and it's surprisingly easy to recommend to fans of melodious warm rock.
Check out... 'Forever In Your Eyes'. Oh yes, we like this one.
Track List:
01. Beauty Of Dreams
02. Forgive And Forget
03. Never Give Up
04. In My Arms
05. Reach Out
06. New Generation
07. Forever In Your Eyes
08. Hungry Hearts
09. That’s The Way Love Goes
10. Keep On Loving You
11. Out Of Love
12. Love To Survive
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace
