“My gypsy rose, can’t take me home” whoops nope that’s Cinderella - And its road you idiot... 

Gypsy Rose are Swedish and despite having a history going back over twenty five years, believe it or not this is their debut album.  

The band was formed back in 1981 but split up in the late 80s mainly due to record companies and a certain lack of success and guitarist Martin Kronlund went on to form Dogface with Mats Leven. For a Swedish band Gypsy Rose sound frighteningly German, so much so in fact they sound also most exactly like Bonfire circa Fireworks, with a touch of The Scorpions Klaus Meine thrown in for good measure.

I don’t know what it is  at the minute but I seem to end with up reviewing albums where the band in question sound exactly like another band, be it intentional or not - Circus Maximus compared to Dream Theater and Emerald Rain a la Harem Scarem being prime examples. I swear  that if somebody had played me this Gypsy Rose album blind, I would have said this was an unreleased Bonfire album and one that would have made a cracking follow up to Fireworks.

Taking a brief look track by track through the CD, we are first presented with opener 'When You Leave At Night' which has led a Zeppelin style intro that leads into an up-tempo fast paced rocker with a HUGE Chorus, something that will feature predominantly throughout the rest of the record. Second song in 'You Drive Me Crazy' has a low down dirty riff with the keyboards adding an extra dimension to the overall sound of the track and then comes 'Promise To Stay' which has a cool mid tempo vibe with voclaist Håkan Gustafsson sounding just like Claus Lessman!

Moonlight is an acoustic lead ballad that is very reminiscent of a certain Scorpions track that I have no intention of naming, suffice to say you all know which one I mean, as it gets on my tits - The Scorpion track that is and not the Gypsy Rose effort. Luckily this is followed by an up-temp rocker in the shape of 'You Are the One' and then by the albums stand out track, at least to this reviewer, 'Queen of The Night' With its big guitar riffs followed by some mellow guitar/keyboard interplay and yet another big chorus this track simply has 'winner stamped all over it.

Switching back to the mid-tempo vibe Gypsy Rose then deliver 'Burning' featuring a brooding guitar riff alongside another cool melodic chorus and 'Light Up My Way' before dropping into power ballad territory with 'December Night' which is the first track on which the keyboards really stand out and is enriched with an excellent guitar solo courtesy of Gustafsson. 

Rounding out the album are 'Fender 59' another mid tempo number with big guitars very appropriate really as it’s about the pleasure of owning 1959 Fender Stratocaster - Worth a fair bit I guess and then finally to close we have 'The Look In Your Eye' which, surprise surprise reminds of Bonfire once again. 

Ultimately I was pleasantly surprised by this album, Gypsy Rose have released a record that will appeal to anyone with a love of late 80’s MHR. The production by Martin Kronlund is stunning and very BIG to say the least, in keeping with the overall 80's feel of the album and the record would not be out of place in anyone's collection.

Let us know your views on 'Gypsy Rose'

Track List

When You Leave At Night
You Drive Me Crazy
Promise To Stay
Moonlight
You Are The One
Queen Of The Night
Burning
Light Up My Way
December Night
Fender 59
The Look In Your Eye

Line Up

Håkan Gustafsson - Vocals
Martin Kronlund - Guitars
Imre Daun - Drums
Mats Bostedt - Bass
Rikard Quist - Keyboards