Nevena
Neven
From their record label page, "Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the signing of Nevena Dordevic, an absolutely astounding Serbian singer. Her debut album will be released under the moniker NEVENA and showcase excellent Melodic Rock/AOR with a more contemporary edge. For this album, Nevena partnered with producer Mike Palace to craft songs and have him put his magic touch on the production. The album has eleven songs.
"Bulletproof" is the first. It's a rich rocking song with plenty of backing elements. Nevena has a smooth and sultry voice, and the chorus is fill of harmonies. The guitar solo is well done, and the big sound punches you in the face. "Bad Sun Rising" is another winner with a memorable melody line. The riffs aren't necessarily anything that you haven't heard before, but they are performed with energy, and with fun. The leads are fantastic once again. "Too Late" has subdued sounds in the verses, making the big blow in the chorus that much more massive. Backing keys fill in the cracks nicely as well. "Miracles" has a more tender and charming sound, again with big melodies and harmonies in the chorus. It's a story of a broken heart...she croons "why should I believe in miracles, when there's nothing more amazing then the way you break my heart." "You Two" has a spellbinding keyboard sound, and is more in the vein of a Pop/Punk song with its energy and shorter running time. "Fire in Me" is more like the title...a waking tiger with a hankering for fresh meat. The slower pace, combined with Nevena's energetic vocals make for a memorable song.
"Brand New Heart" is a slower song with a more pensive edge. The lead guitar work is blazing once again. Michael can really play, no doubt. "Veil on the Mirror" starts a little slow, but that big chorus hits you like a stiff breeze, enveloping you with its powers. The bridge is strong as well, and the guitar solo fits perfectly with the music. "Outrageous" closes the album. It's more tender but still has a tough edge to it. Although many of the songs were fairly short, all under four-minutes in length, the album left a lasting impression on my 80's nostalgia. It has enough Pop elements to easily make radio rotation, but a rougher edge to some of the songs, such that you would call it Melodic Rock or AOR. Nevena doesn't have a super charged voice, and doesn't often reach very high in the register, but is warm and calming to the listener, and fits the music perfectly.
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Nevena" Track-listing:
1. Bulletproof
2. Bad Sun Rising
3. Straight into Madness
4. Too Late
5. Writer's Block
6. Miracles
7. You Two
8. Fire in Me
9. Brand New Heart
10. Veil on the Mirror
11. Outrageous
Neven Lineup:
Michael Palace - All Instruments, Backing vocals
Nevena Dordevic - Lead vocals, Backing Vocals, Piano
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