naio ssaion: Out Loud

Some times releases come out that warrant a "gee, this should be a can't miss CD" comment after a few spins. Case in point, the new album Out Loud from Slovenia's naio ssaion. These youngsters have put together some very hip and exciting sounds here that, while by no means ground breaking, just scream mass appeal on many levels. Led by the powerful yet angelic female vocals of Barbara and the soaring electric violin of Rok, naio ssaion fuse modern hard rock, gothic, industrial, techno, trippy prog rock, fusion, and metal, into a very fun and accessible sound.

It's hard not to sing along and get your body moving to songs like "The Mirror", "Miss You", or "Static", all songs that one could easily imagine hearing on US radio. Seeing as Evanescence has basically not done anything for a few years, this band has the hooks and appeal to instantly fill that role. "Bow Link in E Minor" is a ripping progressive fusion instrumental with ripping violin and crushing guitar riffs, while "N.S.S." features plenty of slammin' power chords, bubbling keyboards, and Barbara's anthemic crooning. Industrial meets techno meets goth on the raging "Shut Up", which mixes whispy violin with heavy guitars, keyboards, female and male vocals, and "Blind Date" is an uptempo rocker that bears influences like Nightwish, H.I.M., and Evanescence. The band goes for some technical, almost progressive metal on "Yours Faithfully", a song which also has some great hooks, and add some nice ethnic elements thanks to some inventive classical guitar work and violin on "Blah-Blah". The closer "Out of the Great Book of Fairytales" is also a nice atmospheric gothic piece, again showing the alluring vocals of Barbara.

Other than some questionable song titles, this is a well put together sophomore release from saio ssaion, who apparently want to make a big splash in markets outside of their native Slovenia. While some may find the inclusion of violin an odd fit on songs of this nature, I liked it, and predict as they grow as a band that they will really find their niche. Definitely worth checking out and a band to watch out for. In a perfect world you'd hear at least two of these tunes in constant rotation on radio or MTV.

Track Listing
1) Static
2) The Mirror
3) Teen
4) Miss You
5) Bow Link in E Minor
6) N.SS
7) Shut Up
8) Blah-Blah
9) Blind Date
10) Can't You Hear
11) At Ease
12) Yours Faithfully
13) Out of the Great Book of Fairytales

Added: February 17th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3368
Language: english

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