At The Movies are very talented Danish band and come highly recommended.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: At The Movies
ALBUM: The Movie Hits Of The 80’s (The Soundtrack Of Your Life – Vol. 1)
LABEL: Self Released
SERIAL: NA
YEAR: 2020
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Denmark
LINEUP: Björn Speed Strid – vocals * , Pontus Norgren, Chris Laney – guitars, Backing vocals * Pontus Egberg – bass * Morten Sanda her – keyboards * Allan Sorensen – drums
Additional Musicians:Jacob Hansen – guitar (8), Bruce Kulick – guitar (8), Ronnie Atkins – lead vocals (8) * Linnéa Vikström Egg – co lead vocals (3,6,8,9,10,11,12)
TRACK LISTING: 01 Intro * 02 No Easy Way Out * 03 Maniac * 04 St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion) * 05 A View To A Kill * 06 (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life * 07 Wouldn’t It Be Good * 08 We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) * 09 The Power Of Love * 10 The Heat Is On * 11 The Neverending Story * 12 Far From Over
RATING: 90/100
Background
Two quality projects around cover songs cheered us up during the COVID-19 pandemic. One wasSammy Hagar & The Circle with their lockdown home sessions, and the other came from Danish band At The Movies. The latter started an independent campaign for a vinyl and CD release whose first run is now closed and sold out.
Pretty Maids buddies Chris Laney, Allan Sorensen and Morten Sandager with the help of fellow musicians recorded and released videos of ten movie soundtracks from the 80’s over the course of ten weeks, plus one eleventh bonus track. All are compiled in this album. Bjorn Speed Strid (The Night Flight Orchestra) and the sweet voice of Linnea Vikstrom Egg share lead vocals on several songs.
The Songs
These covers are fun after fun, with beefed up versions of ‘Maniac’ (Flashdance), ‘A View To A Kill’ (James Bond 007 – A View To A Kill), ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’ (Dirty Dancing) and ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), the latter with guests Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids) and Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss), as the best achievements, with a sound that recalls Brother Firetribe.
They’ve also spoiled me with their versions of the main song to one of my favorite movies ever, ‘The Power Of Love’ (from Back To The Future) and one of the most gorgeous melodies ever created to these ears, ‘The Neverending Story’ (The Neverending Story). The remaining covers are also top notch.
In Summary
At The Movies are very talented Danish band and come highly recommended. Let’s hope we see further output beyond this.
Video
Maniac
No Easy Way Out
I’ve Had The Time Of My Life
The Neverending Story
Far From Over
The Heat Is On
[Jefflynnefan] Thanks for the “At The Movies” review, I was interested in this one.
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[Dave T] My pleasure, glad it helps, Chris.
Not usually sold on covers albums, this year’s Jorn release didn’t pick my interest; but this one is fresh, with plenty of guitars and parping keys as well.
A couple more great versions here are ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’, a bit overdone with many other versions but here the vocal delivery is brilliant; and the bonus track ‘Far From Over'(originally by Frank Stallone, from Staying Alive), where Bjorn and Linnea make a fantastic vocal duet.
You can find more information on their campaign at this link:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/at-the-movies–2/#/
They have a second volume planned, this time on 90’s hits covers.
Of course you can check all covers in their YT channel:
http://youtube.com/c/AtTheMoviesOfficial
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[Gdazegod] Right up my alley too!
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[Dave T] At The Movies CD now available at AOR Heaven.