This is my first gathering with the Italian band BAD MEMORIES which was formed back in 2006. Right from the debut listening session I could put my finger on their clearer influence - no doubt that you will hear the German 80s AOR / Hard Rock band KINGDOM and of course DANGER DANGER. The opening song will leave you speechless, an AOR that has an 80s touch throughout its course. It got powerful by its singer, the guitar solo is nice and I can't ignore the keyboards part that fulfill the song all along. This is a good track to open the album.  The next track "Never Too Hard" reminded me a lot of DANGER DANGER, by the style and singer's voice that came out more than the first song and supplied more life in the wholesome music. I have always been an AOR fan, especially the genre's ballads. "Memories" is a nice ballad that served the 80s just right but I didn't feel that it really had anything with the golden kind of ballads as it is too banal without the ability to sweep one out. "Crossroads" has an awesome piano opening and the bombastic emphasis made by the guitar and drums, I am definitely sure that this AOR ballad is much better, supply interest, great melody, nice part from their bass player. The chorus is a little bit disappointing but the song in overall is good.

The self title song "Forced To Be a Stranger" is one of the best in the album, a nice melody, very sticky and I really liked the keyboards part in the middle, it provides a peaceful atmosphere. "Shadow in this Life" might be the finest song on the album, it combines integration between the singer and the keyboards, and on the second verse the guitar demonstrates a taste of great playing, not to mention the solo section. The song supplies what was missing the album all time and it's dynamic within the songs, when I listened the album I felt that I heard things in the same manner before and it came right back too banal. I didn't felt any dynamic too much in the songs. There are some lights points which being expressed by interesting parts but most of the musical writing was expected. BAD MEMORIES doesn't bring fresh and new things in the AOR world but there is no doubt that these guys are going to make it.