THE SWEET ACCORDING TO SWEDEN
Written by Kaj, www.melodic.net

Tribute albums are all over us from all corners of the world it seems,however the legendary glamrock band Sweet hasn´t been covered that much on tributes before so this feels rather welcome. 

Singer Christian Rivel (formerly with Modest Attraction/Narnia) had this great idea of doing a Sweet Tribute covering all his favorite songs done by bands that all are huge fans of this historical rockband. I know that Fastlane records will also release a Sweet tribute titled "Sweetness" this spring and I hope to see an odd choice of tracks like in this case with this Swedish tribute. 

Normally,I would have expected hits like Fox on the run,Teenage Rampage,Set me free and Ballroom Blitz on an album like this one I´m having in front of me but to my joy-Christian has a bunch of fave´s that demands a standing ovation. Or what do you say about songs taken from the last 3 albums CUT ABOVE THE REST,WATERS EDGE and IDENTITY CRISIS that were made without frontman Brian Connolly and why not taste the choice of "Love is like oxygen" from the LEVELHEADED album-yeeehaaa! Another odd song they have included here is "Shot down in flames" which originally is one of the studio tracks on the LIVE AT THE MARQUEE album from 89. The superb "Sweet F.A" just gotta be on a tribute or otherwise it´s a huge mistake but Rivel has the right eye for picking out the right songs so ofcourse it´s included as well,only 2 big hits by the band have been covered here and they are "Action" and "The Sixteens"-both are done in really good versions so I have nothing to complain about. 

Just looking at the songs I am only missing one song and that´s "Lost angels" from OFF THE RECORD which could´ve been done here instead of the 70´s hardrockslaughter of "Solid gold brass"-this is a version that I do not like because it sounds too much like having Trouble doing Sweet. And why does the band Noztalgica have to sound like SAXON when playing "Windy city"?!, among the other bands and artists we find members of Talisman,Europe,Thunder,Yngwie Malmsteen,Lion´s Share,House of Shakira,Tommy Denander,Candlemass and many more 
but one band standing out is BRIGHTEYE BRISON which does a great progressive rock version of "Mother Earth"-bring out the cake lads,time to celebrate! 

My final rating will be,excellent choices of songs,satisfying production,splendid harmony vocals and a couple of unnecessary performances but overall a must for any SWEET fan! 

-Kaj