As the 90's came, all the melodic formats that ruled supreme in North American parades came to an end: it was the end of Metal and Glam Metal age, and the beginning of Grunge Rock and Alternative Rock domain. Of course that some goods of those days were good, and created new musical models that are still used to this day. One fine example is from the Italian quartet A PERFECT DAY, as can be heard on their third album, "With Eyes Wide Open".

It's a band with the entire melodic load from Alternative Rock bands, but evading being nasty as SONIC YOUTH, or boring as OASIS. It's melodic and really in an Alternative Rock trend, but their music bears a strong and hooking Hard Rock appeal that makes anyone a fan, because these guys know how to do things in great shape, evading a high technical level, but creating choruses and musical arrangements that are easy to be understood. Marco Barusso produced and mixed the songs of the album, with the mastering signed by Marco D'Agostino. And everything sounds clean and defined, even on the distorted moments. Of course that such musical way must have such approach to reach a major public, but the level is really high, as their music flows and catches the listeners.

All their ten songs are really very good, and even those who aren't into Alternative Rock can become interested on their musical work. But for a first time, the balance between the nasty aggressiveness and some Groove Rock elements of "Pull Me Out" and "Give It Away" (what a good work of bass guitar and drums on both songs), the melodic accessible ambience of "Whatever You Want Me (to Do)" (very good vocals, with some influences from Robert Plant in some parts), the contrasts between Hard Rock influences and clean melodies of "Mama Said" and "The Hideaway" (very good guitars can be heard on both songs), and the mastodonic melodic weight of "In My Room" are the right ones.

A PERFECT DAY can be said as a perfect model for how an Alternative Rock band can work. And "With Eyes Wide Open" has a very strong melodic charm that is impossible to resist.