When we talk about AOR/Melodic Rock, we must state that there was a difference between two schools back in the 80s: on USA, the bands used a very accessible and even Pop Rock insight to gain radios and to become selling success; and the one from Europe, that used a more elegant outfit, even being accessible to non-Metal/Rock fans. Today, the greater part of bands from this genre mix influences from both schools to create their own musical work. That's the case of Australian quartet THE RADIO SUN that comes with their fifth album, "Beautiful Strange".

To start to describe their music, we must say that it isn't outdated, because they use a modern aesthetics to guide their music. But their main way will take you back to 1986, when those giants from the genre were walking the face of the Earth and conquering legions of fans. Excellent melodies, charming choruses, but a difference: they prefer to use the guitars to guide their melodic lines instead of keyboards, along with very good backing vocals. Ok, obviously it's nothing new, but it's great, with an amazing and young energy. The production was done by Paul Laine, and the mastering is signed by Bruno Ravel, and these two created an excellent sound quality, because you can understand clearly what is being played by the band. But using the right instrumental tunes, we can feel the same melodic harsh feeling of Glam Metal acts as DANGER DANGER, WHITE LION and others, what improve a lot the album's songs.

This album is one of that those ones you need to hear once in a life, and let me tell you: "Hold on Tight" (the guitar riffs are aggressive, but the chorus and melodies are really tender), "Believe in Me" (here, the vocals and backing vocals are very good, guided by fine melodic lines), "Should Have Listened to My Heart" (this one is a typical song for radios, with an amazing accessibility that make it sounds as Pop Rock, but is amazing, with a heavy work from bass guitar and drums), "Have You Got What It Takes" (what amazing 80s Glam Metal feeling, and with the presence of very good vocals), "I Do Not Want To See You Cry" (another one with a strong Pop scent, and what amazing hooking melodies), and "Standing Tall United" (the third song with the Pop influence I spoke before, but it's an excellent track once more) will get you and you'll never be released from their AOR/Melodic Rock grasp. And you won't desire that!

"Beautiful Strange" is a very good work, indeed, and the band is making some appearances in European festivals. THE RADIO SUN deserves it, of course!