Street Talk - Transition

For those that like to vary their heavy metal diet with a dash of pleasant light melodic rock occasionally, then do I ever have a treat for you. Street Talk "Transition" is a near perfect blend of pop sensibilities, snappy guitar riffs, and love lost lyrics with smooth vocals poured over the top. The mastermind of the release, Fredrik Bergh, who writes all the music, plus supplies keys, has obviously listened to more than his fair share of Journey, as that main influence shines strongly through the songs on this release. Considering the inevitable large amounts of ballad-esque tunes populating the release, it surprisingly flows rather well, despite bogging down a bit near the beginning. But even in one spot where it slows nearly to a crawl before finishing up quite nicely, its still held together simply because of Bergh's choice of vocalist, which this time around he decided to opt for one singer instead of an assortment of them (as compared to the debut), and luckily he chose the best man for the job, the remarkable Goran Edman. He never fails to give it his all, and even though he has stated that this type of music wasn't exactly his cup of tea, no one would ever know it, for he sings each line more passionately than the first, and brings a dazzling display of life and heartfelt beauty to each song. Since the band leader is a keyboardist, one would think the disc would be overrun with keyboard doodling, for better or for worse, but thankfully Bergh has paid more attention to song structuring than showing out, for while there are a few choice moments where his skills are showcased, the keys are usually restricted to providing an intricate, yet plush backdrop, allowing the songs themselves plenty of room to stretch their wings and fly on their own. Sven Larsson also deserves mention for his guitarwork, which often becomes the glue that holds a few of the songs together.

1. Someday (I'll Get Over You) - The strongest track, also doubles as "Transition"'s opener. A breezy, upbeat melody is carried by the winds of electric riffing, and silky smooth vocals. The chorus is a total creamer, solid sing-along material, and the lead break is wrapped up in energy but flows at a nice pacing. Lacy rhythm riffing provides a strong bottom for the rest of the instrumentation to cascade over.
2. Need Someone - The first of many ballads, this one being a little more upbeat than some of the others, making it a semi-ballad. Very laid back, but with a rich, addictive chorus and emotion driven vocals to die for. The nearly spoken ending creates a tear streaked, atmosphere, with the lingering whispers from the ghosts of past love.
3. If Anybody Breaks Your Heart - Upbeat, but similiar guitar rhythms drive this tune that were dominant in "Someday...", and you better get used to it, because almost all the songs on here have this familiar flavor. Its essentially a mixture between the first two tunes of the album, but Edman's charismatic voice combined with a chorus that's a little bit different, really helps to set it apart from the rest. "Someday you'll need somebody, someday love will lead you back to me." Rippling guitar closes out, til fade.
4. Let Me Be the One - Varied percussion and a spritz of Kenny G-ish Saxophone give the song a splash of a contemporary pop mixed with island overtones feel, as it swims along at a windingly slow pace. It lacks the spice of the previous tunes, and thus, never finds its way to shore as it should. Decent enough but nothing special, it feels like filler.
5. Always Stand By You - A sense of deja vu washes over before this one even properly begins. If you think you have heard chime filled swelling like that before, then you probably have, since it is very much like Foriegner's "Waiting For a Girl Like You" opening. Quickly you can see its not like that song at all aside from its spookily similiar beginning. On its own, "Always..." is actually a favorite from the album, locked within its rather simplistic exterior is a richly relaxing feel that doesn't completely expose itself until a few spins. The tempo is caught somewere between "Someday" and "Need Someone".
6. Ye Gods and Little Fishes - Oh my goodness! This is a wonderful track, and so catchy that its nearly impossible to shake free. Delicious, straight up, pure upbeat, Westcoast/AOR, and in this example, its definitely a good thing. Concept wise, its quite unlike what has been heard so far on "Transition", which was entirely about lost love. This little tune deals with us humans meddling with genetic cloning, for better but mostly for worse, as we attempt to transcend the stairs into what should be reserved for higher powers: creation. "Secrets of the universe revealed, a winding staircase we keep climbing up... a heart so full of stitches, it's Frankenstein design."
7. Everything I Do Is Just For You - A nod to early 80s Hall and Oates in this depressingly clingy song, that picks up where everything but "Ye Gods..." left off.
8. Energizer Bunny - "I won't leave unless you play me on the stereo." That is not only just part of the lyrics, but also a promise! Bergh co-wrote this snazzy little tune with Goran Edman, whom wrote the clever lyrics. This is one song that is insanely addictive, the first impression is a deadly one, and it sticks in the brain for such a long period of time, due mostly to that ultra catchy chorus, and the bouncily repetitive "ba ba ba" that just hammers the rhythm into the consciousness. The theme of the song is actually about those one hit wonders that have overpopulated the music industry as of late.
9. Don't Give Up On This Love - An elegant power ballad, embellished with clingy acoustic guitar and showering sprays of electric notes. Beautifully sentimental lyrics, equally delivered with more than merely suitable style and passion. The keys swell at just the right time, and the entire song flows with picture perfect timing, including the crisply clean guitar solo that weaves its way into the ending.
10. When You Lose the One You Love - If you have lasted this long without reaching for a hankie then you have a harder heart than I, but the depressing sweet agony is almost over, for this is the last stop in the love lorn journey through the pains of a broken heart. The crushing hopelessness is portrayed with overpowering accuracy, Edman coaxing it along by whispering a few lines at just the perfect periods for impact. "Your heart is breaking down, you find yourself, alone crying, thrown out in the rain."

The guitars might get a little too familiar sounding, there might not be any jaw dropping displays of virtuosity or any particular part turning heads, but one thing this album does have going for it, and in a huge way, is a relaxing quality, even comforting after awhile. It becomes kind of like that favorite snuggly blanket in winter, while not the most remarkable thing in the world, its there when you are in the mood for it. Goran Edman's vocals are positively fantastic, and even hypnotic at times, with such a varied range, and a soothing richness, he brings the essential element to the album. If there had been the same kind of chaotic structuring that "Collaboration" fell prey to (which incidentally worked wonders in the confines of that particular album), then "Transition" would be only half of what it turned out to be. The main drawback to the album is the fact that it could have benefited greatly from another song in the same vein as "Energizer..", "Someday..", and "Ye Gods..". The disc seems lacking near its middle, with only three songs that are without a doubt uptempo in a sea of ballads that more often than not, seem cloned from one another. Those that crave a taste of the Westcoast AOR pie in their collection could do alot worse than "Transition", its another solid release for Fredrik Bergh's Street Talk and yet another outstanding project in the legacy of releases that Goran Edman is leaving behind with each musical appearance. It is every bit equal to their debut, a worthy sequel, and the perfect companion piece to "Collaboration".

Rating - 8.5
by Alanna Evans
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