Arkado - III (CD)

Swedish AOR outfit ARKADO return with their third and to date, strongest release. "III" is packed with countless cool hooks and features fantastic guitar work (courtesy of Tony Rohtla and Patrik Svärd), a level of quality not always  given in this genre, though. Beyond the previously released duet "Phoenix & Stardust" (featuring ZHIVA vocalist Anette Johansson), standout tracks include the wonderful "Hourglass" and the irresistible "Forever Younghearts". Furthermore, frontman Philip Lindstrand (ex-CRUZH, EAST TEMPLE AVENUE) has never sounded better than he does across these eleven powerhouse tracks. ARKADO deserves, no, demands to be mentioned in the same breath as bands like OSUKARU, ALICATE, and CREYE. (MS)