Frontiers Records has a habit of not only signing some of the best veteran melodic rock, metal, and prog bands around, but also discovering a boatload of previously unknown acts and presenting them to the masses. XorigiN is a band from Oslo, Norway, comprised of Johannes Stole(vocals) and Daniel Palmqvist (guitar), and they play a style similar to bands such as Journey, Toto, Survivor, Foreigner, Giant, Styx, Bad English, and Yes. Not sure who fills out the rest of the instrumentation, but Johannes & Daniel are the two main guys here in XorigiN. Sweeping vocals harmonies, lush keyboards, tasty guitar work, and memorable songs all make up the formula on State of Mind. Tracks such as "In the Blink of An Eye", "Can't Keep Running", "Too Late", and "Said and Done" all have catchy hooks but plenty of 'rock' to go along with it. Throughout the CD it's all pretty slick with a polished AOR sheen, and the keyboards are nicely done, with Palmqvist delivering some compact riffery and melodic guitar solos that fit perfectly into each song. Stole has a voice that is tailor made for this kind of material, and look for some powerful multitracked backing vocals on each chorus.
State of Mind is pleasant, polished, and enjoyable melodic rock from XorigiN. It won't set the world on fire with originality, but if you are looking for something a little on the lighter side with some great hooks, you can't go wrong here.
Track Listing
- Can´t Keep Running;
- Crying For You;
- In The Blink Of An Eye;
- Too Late;
- Gina;
- This Is It;
- The One For Me;
- Said And Done;
- Matters To The Heart;
- What Love Is All About;
- Mend My Heart.
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