SADA VIDOO: "A Story With No End"

Rating: RRRR
Label: Target/Border 2015
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Eclectic and thinking outside the box, perfect synonyms to Sada Vidoo as she's certainly not afraid to mix it up on her debut album. Indeed. "A Story with No End" takes its inspiration from a broad and diverse range of sources and styles where basic guitar rock met electronic pop and it's just the fun and in my opinion mega catchy record with the unconventional working process. The Danish singer/songwriter and former strictly hip-hop/dance artist took a flight to U.K. to work and co-write the songs with famed singer/songwriter Russ Ballard (Argent, Kiss, Frida/ABBA, Rainbow, etc, etc.) and the result is the wide-ranging record with the all-embracing message and agenda. You're all invited and especially if you're open-minded and not closed when it comes to music.

Produced by Chris Ballard (yes, the son of Russ), the easiest way to describe the music? Well... there's no easy way out as she's the very definition of the metaphor and thinking differently. But okay, let's give it a shot. The lazy and quick track by track. "Outta Space (Long for That Feeling)", catchy hook, but very mainstream. "Stop The Rain", had me instantly thinking about T'Pau? Strong female vocals and the slightly aggressive guitar work by Russ Ballard. "China Doll", the great mixture of Sada Vidoo, Kate Bush and T'Pau (google them, they had a hit with 'China In Your Hand' - speaking of China) with soaring vocals and the powerful lyrical message. "You Think You're God", the 50/50 mix of Ballard's melodic rock of the past and the fresh sound by Vidoo.

"Killing with Silence" and "The Actress", mega catchy universal numbers with major hit potential. I'm so messed up by video games that I instantly thought of GTA Vice City while listening to "Love Is a Battlefield". To be perfectly honest. I've spent more hours in front of GTA than listening to any record by Pat Benatar and that's not to say that Pat stinks. Far from it actually. Vidoo's version is interesting and Russ turn up his amp to 11. "Stripped", feature meaningful text and lyric and it's just the great mix of guitar rock and electronic pop. "Sex Never Sleeps (Roxanne)", the verse is typical Kate Bush right down to the shoe-laces and I'm not sure if it's the work of the Ballards' or Sada's idea to sing like this? It's a great display of her vocal talent though and the beat will have you up and dancing in no time. "Promiscuous", Sada transform this eighties Madonna/Benatar ballad to the non-exclusive uptempo electro/rock song. Closing track, "Black and Grey", the piano ballad, sadly a bit too much of the 'been there, done that' factor.

Final verdict: Top notch vocals and simply just the great 50/50 mix of melodic rock and electro pop. In my interview with Sada, she had the following to say about Russ Ballard and I quote: "I´m a huge fan of his work. His music had a great impact on my childhood. It's hard to explain, but I have never met a songwriter/artist who is so deep - We connected at a deeper level. A meeting of the minds", end quote. I'm sure Russ is a big fan of Sada Vidoo too (heh! vidoo-too).
sadavidoo.com
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