If you find yourself holding on to memories of the days of dressing like Madonna or air- guitaring your way around your basement, then hold on to your spandex for this Eighties-esque second studio album, "Triumphant". Is OSUKARU a cover band? No siree! They strive to integrate the sounds of their muses, such as FOREIGNER, HEART, WHITESNAKE and VIXEN with their own compositions and original lyrics. We have upbeat, mid-tempo and ballads to look forward to on this 14-track lark.

We begin with some a moodscape of "Dawning" that connects to an upbeat self-empowerment anthem, "Triumphant". If you are looking for a motivational song to add to your personal soundtrack, this is one to load onto your IPod. "Is that Lou Gramm," you say, on "Prisoner Of The Night"? Indeed, no. He's Frederik Werner, who sounds remarkably like the best lead singer that FOREIGNER ever had. For reference songs of comparison, listen to "Say You Will" or "Cold As Ice". Now, Mr. Werner doesn't spend the entire album sounding like Mr. Gramm. He does have a voice of his own effectively rising to the occasion of the 80s rock soundscape.

The only beef I have...."Where's the beef," you say? (See old Wendy's hamburger commercials, you 80s maniacs!) "Heaven In Your Eyes" and "The Fire Burns On" (female vocals) seemed sung significantly off-key. "Holding On To Memories" was sung too prettily. This listener's ears needed just a bit of grit and edge out of the latter and a lot more agreement with what the instruments were playing in the former.

Sounds of the eighties would not be complete without a saxophone in the mix. If HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS could do it, then why not! Perhaps Jens Björk played for him, too. You will hear him here and there throughout the album. Mr. Björk and crew treat us to a Jazz interlude in the track "Cruise Control," which offers a display of their instrumental proficiency and variety. But don't get too comfortable. "Mafia Rules" will blow out your windows with its fierce opening riffage! Listen on to the end of the album to complete the experience. You'll swear you're hearing your memories.

Overall, I found this an admirable retrospective, with "Prisoner Of The Night" as the definite star. The instrumentalists definitely nailed it, the singers most of the time. If you want your 80s back, Sweden seems to be where it's at these days. Check them out, dear reader.