It's somehow awkward getting to know a Rock band through a contest of questionable reputation like Eurovision, which, no matter how pleased I am that Elena Paparizou took the 1st place representing Greece, still remains one of the most kitsch events worldwide. It's even more awkward when this band is not a modern crappy Rock band but a Sleaze Rock band that came up with a brilliant Melodic Rock anthem. If you add its members' background (Dream Police, Sha-Boom and Artch former members) you will probably end up doubting your devotion to such music. At least that happened to me...
I'm sure you have already understood that I'm referring to the Norwegian Wig Wam and their now famous song In My Dreams. The album I am going to review, Hard To Be A Rock'N'Roller...In Kiev (out on March 14th 2005) is the European edition of their 2004 debut album 667...The Neighbour Of The Beast which was only out in Norway, with the addition of In My Dreams.
Wig Wam were formed in 2001. In early 2004 they collaborated with ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick for an extended version of I Was Made For Loving You that would be included in a Kiss Army Norway tribute album. Then they took the 3rd place in Norway's Melodi Grand Prix with Crazy Things and in 2005 they won the 1st place in the MGP with In My Dreams of course. In the Eurovision final on may 21st they only took the 9th place although they were thought to be among the claimants of the title. I can't say that I was surprised. Eurovision fans indeed liked the song but seeing almost-drug-queen-Glam on stage with his lipstick and feathers was too much for them. Here in Greece for example all the ignorants kept talking about dead Kiss.
Well, the point is that Eurovision was the cause for the wide public to know them and for their album to circulate outside their homeland and I suppose this was their primal aim. Apart form their own recognition Wig Wam also succeeded in proving that Rock music and especially Melodic Rock is not and should not be separated from popular music that could be listened to by almost everyone.
Enough with the prologue; let's finally deal with their album itself.
In My Dreams needs no special introduction. It's a GREAT, GREAT, GREAT Melodic Rock song, an AOR classic already in a beautiful 80's-fashioned way. Superb melody, fantastic guitars, carrying away choruses, outstanding vocals and unspeakable fun at last!!! Forgive my enthusiasm, it's not like I am acting like our beloved chief editor Orpheus who suffered multiple orgasms when he opened his television by accident on May 21st (hahaha).
There are other songs of this style, too, although they are never identical. Most are influenced by Northern Europe's guitar-driven bands like Jaded Heart, Bonfire, even Gotthard when more modern aspects like samples are used, polished in the unique Scandi way. The rest vary from pure Metal (The Drop) to Sleaze Glam (Car-Lyle), Southern Rock (A Long Way To Go) and heartbreak ballads (Out Of Time which in reality is a symphonic ballad and Tell Me Where To Go, the necessary acoustic ballad). Then, there is an impressive guitar solo (Erection) and a cover of Melanie C's I Turn To You much more listenable than the regular version.
I was almost left speechless by Glam's performance. I don't want to compare him to others because I think the man has the most versatile voice of all the voices I am aware of in the Rock scene. He can sing literally everything. He elevates each song so ideally and takes advantage of any of his natural skills so much that one could think that Hard To Be A Rock'N'Roller...In Kiev is a collection. All his texture, his tune and his expression are flawless. He sings high, he sings low, he sings roughly, he sings sensitively. I'm near believing that he is the ultimate vocalist. Please listen to him with attention and then judge my sanity. Please don't equal him with Justin Hawkins and therefore say Wig Wam sound like The Darkness, too. The moments their voices sound alike are more than scarce.  
I know In My Dreams was written by Teeny but I have no idea about the rest songs as their official site is unfortunately in Norwegian. The composer did a great job anyway. He obviously has so many ideas as Glam's personalities. And the whole band stand up to the high level of the forenamed.
As you may have guessed I recommend this album to every -and I mean it every- Hard, Melodic, Sleaze Rock fan. I also recommend it to anyone who is not prejudiced against Rock'n'Roll and all Eurovision lovers because it could make them be less badly disposed to music they are not familiar with.
Guys, just grab this masterpiece!
Baby let's get into the groove
Show me all your dirty moves