You know what the funny thing is? Rock these days is either poppy or underground. Is there no such thing as a golden pathway in between? Well, I can tell you that Sonic Orchid are well on their way to finding one. This Canadian quartet was founded in 2002 and have released their first full-length in 2008. It’s called Love and War, and that’s exactly what it is, to tell you the truth.

Sexy frontwoman, guitars, nice melodies… what could possibly go wrong with an album like this one? Well, not much, to be honest. Just a couple of things that I’d do differently. The guitar riffs are really catchy and the solos have been composed in a way that they stick, yet never bore.

The one thing that disturbed me a bit, is the addition of (attempted) growls and screams to Christina’s powerful vocals. Powerful as they might be, they also knew to touch me. ‘Alive Again’ is that classic rock ballad that you love to hear once in a while, and Christina’s vocals suit the song perfectly.

The traces of metal in Sonic Orchid’s music thankfully stop with the attempted growls and screams. I don’t think they should go that way. The music and vocals sound really good in a more mellow sound that can still be up-tempo and breathe rock n’ roll.

If you’re a fan of powerpop or steady rock, you’re going to like what Sonic Orchid has to offer. Go ahead, give it a go. Thumbs up for this one.