2Hot4U - Flame (1992)

Track Listing:
01 Peace To War
02 War To Peace
03 Flame
04 To A Friend
05 You Caught Me
06 Toca's Tale
07 Maybe, Diana
08 A Second Of Weakness
09 Thunderman
10 Carina

The Songs
The opening salvoes of 'Peace To War' which seques into its companion piece 'War To Peace' is primetime pomp. A great introduction to the band. It's like taking a walk back to the 'Silent Knight' era of Saga when you listen to the title track 'Flame'. Classic stuff. 'To A Friend' takes on a radio friendly spin, but the next 'You Caught Me' is a mish-mash of styles, the vocals a bit on the coarse side for my liking. 'Tocas Tale' is a return to a more appealing style of light pomp, not as full-on as 'War To Peace'. The tempo is raised for 'Maybe, Diana' - this track is full of string plucks and stinging guitar runs, with the occasional brass stab. Nice. Though 'A Second Of Weakness' is a ballad, the mid and solo sections are a standout. Apart from the keyboard and guitar solos, 'Thunderman' didn't move me a great deal. The closer 'Carina' is much better, bordering on 80's Swedish styled poppy AOR in the vein of Bad Habit, with tappy pianos and a raft of vocal choruses and the ever present guitars.

In Summary
The band released a follow-up two years later called 'Unlock Your Mind'. having not heard that album, critics say it is on a par with 'Flame', so no doubt I should be trying to lay my hands on a copy. For me, 'Flame' is an enjoyable record. The Saga comparisons are oh so obvious, though in some cases they lack the finesse which made their heroes a long term success story, but thats to be expected as there is only ONE Saga after all.. Still, when it's played this well, we'll forgive them their trespasses..