This is said to be the finest latest release in the Melodic Rock/AOR summer of 2008. ELEVENER is a result of the collaboration of M.ILL.ION's keyboardist Johan Bergquist (also was in HAMMERFALL for awhile, huh?) and Andreas Broden (don't know if and what he's been up to so far). When Kaleidoscopes Collide surely is a notable release for all 'melodic' fans but I would not label it as something ideal.
The album is 80s-oriented, with classic AOR tempos, tons of keys and some 'candy' vocals by Bergquist. The guitars are typical for the genre and the rhythm section does apply to the whole as requested. The songs started being written a couple of years ago or even more (the musicians met in 2005), with AOR Heaven offering a deal just this year, 'upshoting' the release of When kaleidoscopes Collide.
To the core: the musicians' skills are as needed, no questions asked. As for the compositions themselves, and the general vibe, may it be a matter of 'overload' of releases in the specific blend this year or it's just that I wasn't left astonished by ELEVENER's try? I mean, everything a passionate AOR fan may need is here. The atmosphere, the rhythm, the harmonies...the spirit of bands like JOURNEY, ASIA, HONEYMOON SUITE/GLASS TIGER, keys-related VAN HALEN and SURVIVOR will haunt you down and you'll not have trouble shaking to the mood of songs like This Heart Of Mine, A Thousand Girls, Waking Up Without You and (most of all, in peak?) Say If You Want and Her Eyes. What should be changed in this one, then?
Eventually, the album's lacking power, amplitude and rockin' passion, in my opinion. If the drums/bass were pounding more, the giutars where more 'striking' and the vocals where more in a cry-out-loud mode, I guess the lightning would strike more hard. Not a bad album, not bad at all (especially taking the ASIA likes as granted) When Kaleidoscopes Collide will fulfill the hunger of your 'lite AOR' side. 'Bonbon' Rock by ELEVENER, finally accepted (even if not good/excellent).