Newly released here in the States (compliments of Frontiers Records) is the second release by SPIN GALLERY entitled “Embrace.” In a way, the history of SPIN GALLERY almost mirrors that of fellow label-mate ON THE RISE but while still in that “melodic-rock/ AOR” ballpark, the music style is quite different. Like their first release (“Standing Tall”), “Embrace” continues on with that strong, “west-coast” influence but this time around I found the music and arrangements include a strong “80’s” vibe to them with even hints of that whole “80’s English New-Wave” sound ala bands like ABC or DANNY WILSON. But don’t get me wrong, THE most obvious and repetitive feel overall is that of TOTO.

Even so, while “Embrace” delivers its fair share of some absolutely incredible arrangements, I found the production value a bit disappointing at times, songs sounding just a little “too” much like a TOTO outtake and the real problem for me a lot was just how much this CD will drive you up the friggin’ wall trying to think about where you’ve heard this or that riff or melody before.

Without a doubt, one of the best tracks on the CD is “Just a Momentary Why” which features the always amazing Robin Beck sharing the microphone duties with Kristoffer Lagerström. What a great, great tune which absolutely SCREAMS TOTO but with Beck’s addition, the song takes an emotional twist which I just don’t think would have been accomplished without her.

Speaking of Lagerström, this guy has definitely got a set of pipes! His high falsetto and delivery takes on many characteristics (at times) ranging in vocal styles like those of Jon Anderson (YES), Bobby Kimball (TOTO), and Richard Page (MR. MISTER) and even allows for “hints” of Joey Tempest (EUROPE) or Gary Clark (Danny Wilson).

Continuing on in that strong, TOTO vein are other tracks like Tic Toc and the title track “Embrace.” “Stone By Stone” was a little strange for me. The rhythm and melody have an almost 70’s feel to them reminding me a bit of STEELY DAN during the verse and then building into a theatrical STYX reminiscent chorus.. It’s “ok” just a bit of a stretch to the imagination. Another similar track is “Without Love” which while, again, is “ok,” it’ll leave the listener wondering exactly where they were trying to go with something like this.

Now “You Do the Things You Do” (featuring Dan Reed on vocals) is a whole other animal! This is another stellar track which rivals “Just A Momentary Why” for the top spot on the CD. With its powerful, gripping groove and its big, BIG chorus it reminds me almost of a MR. MISTER-like mid-80’s English New Wave anthem! Very cool track which also features some incredible guitar work and solo compliments of the multi-talented Tommy Denander who penned on every track for the release.

The next track “Indulge” continues on in that 80’s English New Wave style as well and it took me more than just a couple of listens for it to finally hit me that the small bridge between the verse and chorus has a hint of ABC’s “When Smoky Sings” in it. And for anyone familiar with the long-defunct Danny Wilson, you’ll definitely get what I’m saying as far as my vocal-styling comparison to Gary Clark in “Eyes Wide Open”… another “decent” song although this is one I feel where the production value was a bit lacking.

Then there’s the ballady “Blood In My Veins” which seems to lack any real substance, tends to be a bit on the boring side and finally just drags itself out. And lastly we get to “Everything Fades” which is another “ok” track and another disappointment in “The End.” Both, however, share a similar (but yet familiar) quality in that you can definitely hear hints of other songs buried within them.

To me, SPIN GALLERY’s “Embrace” is either hit or miss. There are bright moments of true magic in tracks like “Just a Momentary Why,” “You Do the Things You Do,” “Tic Toc” and “Indulge” as well as several other acceptable tunes but with big misses like “Blood In My Veins” and “The End” along with that familiar feeling of “I think I’ve heard this somewhere before.” that you’ll get more than once through out the release, I think it comes up a bit short.