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Erika Norberg: Deaf Dumb And Blonde

Melodic Hard Rock

4.5/5.0

Website (Label)
Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 11.05.2016

I'll admit some ignorance at the start. I never heard of Swedish vocalist Erika Norberg. At least I didn't think so. But then the press material revealed that she was married to Yngwie Malmsteen for a few years back in the day. Oh yeah. The light bulb flickers. I remember a pretty hot blonde on his arm back than. During and after the marriage to the guitar guru, Ms Norberg had a series of five albums (none of which I remember), largely successful in the European theater and Japan, with more than a few notable singles getting media attention. Now after an 18 year hiatus, Norberg returns with a new album, Deaf Dumb And Blonde on the UK label Escape Music.

My immediate observations are rather simple. First, Ms Norberg has lost none of her vocal skills. This gal can sing. She has a strong pure rock voice. Second, she still rocks. The great majority of the 12 songs within this album our straight up melodic hard rock with a metal edge, then wrapped in an AOR package. They're characterized by strong riffs and killer solos over an impressive often heavy rhythm section. Notable examples include One For The Road, Killer, Suckerpunch, and the bold rockers, Start Your Engine and Go Down. The only exception to the hard rockin' tunes is the ballad Us Fools, where you get a taste of Norberg's vocal tenderness. Third, Ms Norberg has surrounded herself with a bevy of fine talent. The songwriting, arranging, and musicianship is exceptional if not nearly impeccable. Couple these things with some very slick production and Deaf Dumb And Blonde is some primo classic melodic hard rock. The only thing you need to do is buy the album. Recommended, and welcome back, Erika Norberg.

Postscript: I apologize for the lack of a current promotional image of Ms Norberg and a song sample, video or otherwise. Nothing was supplied, nor could I find something suitable on the Internet for either.

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Erika Norberg's Deaf Dumb And Blonde is some primo classic melodic hard rock. The only thing you need to do is buy the album. Recommended.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]