Album Review

Roxette – Charm School

• 29th Mar 2011

Turn back the clock 20 years and Roxette were hitting the big time after a couple of initial albums and then the chart success of Joyride and their song “It Must Have Been loved” used in the commercial release of the film Pretty Woman. Since then Roxette continued to provide only what they do best. Pop Rock.

Now it is 2011 and their new album marks the 25th anniversary since Roxette started their musical journey. You might have thought their style would have dated by now, and while that is true in certain instances of the sound design, the music writing itself remains fairly timeless, not to mention works a charm in identifying who it is you are listening to.

Listening away to “Charm School” it is evident that many of these songs could have been from a previous album and this what makes Charm School work so well as a call back to that late 80’s early 90’s pop-rock. Roxette wrote many of the biggest hits back then, and here they manage after a 10 year break to tune back into that same musical process.

As usual, Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson take it in turn to do mic duties. Speak to me is a great example of Gessle taking on the Verse build up for Marie to then take over in euphoric chorus. It isn’t Joyride, but it isn’t far below that mark either. A solid effort that is simply enjoyable and fun to listen to, which if it didn’t try to do much more would be enough.

This is simply put, a Roxette album for Roxette fans. Perhaps with the right exposure there could be a resurgence for the band – which is no bad thing – and their current world tour is going to aid that cause greatly! It’s nice to have them back.