BAD HABIT

Bad Habit are a five-piece, formed in Lund, Sweden, by American born guitarist Hal Johnston. The remainder of the current line-up consists of vocalist Bax Fehling, guitarist Sven Cirnski, Jamie Salazar on drums and bassist Patrik Sodergren. ‘Atmosphere’ is the band’s first release since the retrospective ‘Timeless’, which was also reviewed within these pages. In general, the songs on this latest release are a notch above those that featured on its predecessor. The first six songs are all in a similar vein, in as much that they are mid tempo, melodic to the extreme, have catchy choruses and the same lyrical subject matter of love, loss and emotional trauma. Of these tracks, the best are the opener ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘I’ll Die For You’. A change of pace follows with the more balladic ‘Fantasy’, which builds from a slow beginning into a powerful and heartfelt track. The remainder of the tracks are split between more mid tempo efforts and a handful of ballads. Of particular merit are ‘Break the Silence’, which features some excellent , and very heavy, guitar work; ‘Catch Me When I Fall’, which features probably the best and most catchy chorus in an album full of infectious choruses; and ‘Without You’ which a great riffed intro. This album is very well produced, with the guitar and keyboards complimenting each other, rather than fighting for supremacy, and the songs have plenty of sparkle and verve. There is nothing really original or innovative here, and the lyrical content is somewhat one dimensional, but if well produced and consummately played AOR, with a heavy edge, is to your liking then you won’t go far wrong if you invest in this first rate release.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

AOR Heaven

Album

ATMOSPHERE

Review by Dave Uphill

RUNNING TIME:

47:26

RELEASE DATE:

24th Jan 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) In the Heat of the Night
2) Words are Not Enough
3) Everytime You Cry; 4) I Wanna Be The One
5) I'll Die For You; 6) Angel of Mine
7) Fantasy
8) We Are One
9) Only Time Will Tell
10) Break the Silence
11) Save Me
12) Catch Me When I Fall
13) Without You

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Sweden

"There is nothing really original or innovative here, and the lyrical content is somewhat one dimensional, but if well produced and consummately played AOR, with a heavy edge, is to your liking then you won’t go far wrong if you invest in this first rate release."