Norwegian | 
Age Sten Nilsen - Glamunition [Universal Norway]
I’m making no apologies for reviewing this album. It's a solo release by a well respected member of the Hard Rock community and while it is almost borderline Hard Rock oriented, it's a hugely entertaining and gratifying piece of work. Remember guys - not all, started with Cradle of Filth and Gorgoroth....
So once upon a time, there were bands like Queen and Sweet, that used to mingle the rock ethos with some pop sensibilities. They came up with a gazillion of super-catchy songs each and I guess you know what happened next... now during those days i guess dear Age, must have been really really young... so these bands and sounds were imprinted on his musical DNA and through both his normal band, WIG WAM and this, his sophomore solo effort, he seems to be paying both tribute and lip service to them. One of the things that really gets you from the get go - apart from a slightly outrageous and impeccable fashion sense that Age has - is how exciting this album is. Very uplifting for the most part and when the ballads kick in it just becomes sensational. It's very horny as well (by that obviously i mean there are a lot of horns in it !) Think a little of Diamond Dave's stuff - crossed with some of cool things that bands like Black-eyed Susan had going on for them. Throw in a little Roxette and a little bit of that 80s party/disco atmosphere and add the aforementioned Queen and Sweet elements. Wear your pants over your head - drink a shot - stir - then stand back 'n behold in amazement at the results! Basically we're talking Pop-Rock perfection here !
"Not gonna stop till I get it" is very much like American hard n horny glam, quick, syncopated, rocking and complete with a celebral gospel like choir vocal. It's very uplifting ! A perfect opener.
"No cigar" is both, the outrageous - check out the opening lyrics - but at the same time ridiculously catchy first single! Think of a very tongue in cheek - Roxette-like tune with a sticky, as super-glue chorus! And Age just going ape-%@@# midway, through it! It's a little sexist - but in a veiled manner - a little over the top - but generally lots of fun and very enjoyable!
"Bring the night on" is the third in a row - gem! Following the rather swanky disco like bass-ful intro - comes a hell of a disco-rock chorus. "Think i was made for loving you" but a little whimpier !!! This - as well as "No Cigar" with a slightly different production and sound and a few changes - could have borderline been WW tunes... but hey - these tunes are so infectuous that you'll be bobing aroung like a silly slob straight away.
"Vainette" is Glam's attempt at a "Killer Queen" type tune...about some glamorous celebrity type of girl - that's actually hurting inside... Think Queen here - big harmonies and a very *colorful* atmosphere.... It's done very well.
"Brave" finds dear Age, continuing to be possessed by the ghost, of the great and late Freddie Mercury, as this is a rich in strings ballad, with Age managing to sound both like himself - but also like the late Queen singer as he seems to be utilizing all of the trademark vocal techniques that were popularized by Freddie, on this one. Simply amazing !
"Where the good times grow" is really interesting. It sounds a little like Manic Street Preachers, maybe, a little like all those UK-poppy bands - but the vocals are much better and far more tuneful - the hook is catchier and everything else about this song is vastly superior - to any song by any of those UK bands - that seem to be getting ridiculous publicity with some half baked pop bubblegum songs...all the time - The song also has a rather unique finishing... really rather clever and totally unexpected.
"Touch of the Untouchable" is a pure rock song, done in a very poppy way. Rather uplifting, this could have been the theme song on some s(h)itcom, easily! Infectious in a silly way!
"Count on me" is a nice little songie, in the vein of/borrowing from Poison's "Nothing but a good time" but it sort of changes during the chorus, drastically deviating from the aforementioned song. There are even some semi-ridiculous - operatic vocal acrobatics here! Horns too. Hey I’m having a good time, anyway !
"Two friends and a bottle of wine" Think Tom Jones here and make him go a little more dub and swinging. Interesting song - yet another good hook. It's good that Age doesn't seem to be taking this, all too seriously - as far as it being really deep n meaningful and philosophical n all. This is goodtime, music folks.
"Don't" is a very sentimental ballad...about getting away from a situation. Nice strings in the middle, very heartfelt and not to sappy. Just great!
"Unconditional Love" is also a soft song that actually closes the album. Think a white-boy's take on RnB, mixed with pop and balladry...its quite uplifting though, with Age - dueting with a female singer on the chorus over a nice violin lick. Maybe is sounds a little like David Coverdale's "Wherever you may go" from his amazing "Into the light" album if it were done by U2 and the Corrs popped into the studio and Bono wasn't singing ! (ouch - am I on drugs or something !???) A Perfect way to close a very cool poppy and occasionally rocking GLAMTASTIC album !
Fans of Pop Music in general and fans of THE SWEET and QUEEN as well as fans of any of those glam bands from the States or fans of Wig Wam are surely gonna like GLAMUNITION ! Personally - I 'd say - give me two rounds ! I’m gonna go - make love - not war or go to work !
