I find it quite interesting that most definitions of the work Decoy, don't seem to fit the band at all. One is "an imitation of a bird or mammal used to capture other birds or mammals", which would suggest the band DECOY are not a real band. I would beg to differ.  OK this might not be a hugely prolific group, or indeed the artists involved main concern, but, well if it walks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck, it's a duck!

Formed in 2007 by songwriter and Guitarist Torben Enevoldsen and singer Peter Sundell when they produced album #1 "Call Of The Wild".  With both parties being busy with other projects in the intervening years, when the chaps started working together again it wasn't necessarily going to be a DECOY album, but lucky for us that's what it turned into.

Bringing together and blending aspects of AOR, classic rock and metal, the pair with the assistance of Dennis Hansen on drums and Pete Steincke on bass, produced a collection of 80s infused rock songs with a modern polish in the same vein as H.E.A.T, Crazy Lixx, Chez Kane. All artists who produce classy tunes which take the best of that era and give it a modern take, and DECOY deserve on the strength of these 11 bangers to be included in this list.

And like the aforementioned bands (Miss KANE being the exception) who are Norther European/Scandinavian and DECOY are no exception being a Dutch/Swedish collaboration.  Throw in the likes of Vandenburg and TNT it shows the cold countries know who to rock like on the sunny west coast of the USA.

As you have probably guessed I don't feel there is a duffer on the album, from the first moment of "Broken Pride", the old fashioned sound of tuning in an FM radio into what could be a JOURNEY radio friendly cut, right to the last hurrah! Of "Without Warning" the pace doesn't drop.  Which for me is impressive as there isn't the obligatory "Panty Wetter" ballad The AOR and Hair Metal bands of the era would have relied on.

To pick a standout track or two from such a strong collection is not easy.  For me "How Was I To Know" which starts with a punch of the drums and has a glorious riff, and catch lyrics sung sublimely is up there for sure, so is "Now Or Never" (probably the closest in sentiment, in not the pacing we get to a ballad) a certain JBJ early in his career could have produced. And then... and then... Just start at number 1 and listen all the way to 11.  An album that goes up to 11, that reminds me of something...