Debut CD from this Brazilian bunch. I really didn't expect the album to sound as mature as this. Influenced by bands like Journey, Survivor, Toto and Chicago, AURAS tries to mix into their music new elements to the classic AOR/melodic rock style. This band really doesn't sound Brazilian in the slightest.

The opener 'Beauty Of Dream' is formulaic rock from the school of 'Raised On Radio' era Journey which is no bad thing. Great vocals from Gui Oliver, it's a credit for someone to sing in a foreign language as well as this guy. 'Forgive And Forget' gives us a bit of honkey tonk mixed in with the silken AOR melody. 'In My Arms' is exactly what you would expect - piano and string arrangement with a great production, this is a strong ballad but takes a little while to build to the chorus. When it gets there I felt the hook was missing and I was willing it to come, but it never did. I felt it got to the solo without actually having a chorus.

When I got to 'New Generation' I realised that everything I had heard was devoid of any melody choruses which this genre pretty much demands. 'New Generation' has them but not as much as you would like to have heard. The band relies heavily on the keyboard melody which is fine, but I felt missing a great opportunity as the guys can obviously write some cracking tunes with'Forever In Your Eyes' a perfect example.

It became more difficult to fault the remaining songs on here. Absolutely crafted to perfection but I felt just lacking any bite, but maybe that's why people will like this album as it does nothing to offend at all. It will slot in perfectly amongst those Harem Scarem, Giant, Treat, Aldo Nova CD's. What amazed me is that there is only one song on this album under four minutes and then only just. Special mention should go to 'Keep On Loving You' for the 'Livin' On A Prayer ' voicebox guitar part. I think it's a brave move to pay homage to such a tune. The Melodic Rock forum board will be lit up with high praise on this one.

www.myspace.com/auraaor