A decent production, a likeable voice and a handful of classy songs.

There are times when a cheap looking album cover will put you off checking out the music inside (Tane Cain anyone?). I'll be honest here and say that if I hadn't been specifically asked to review the debut album by singer, writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Satin, the promo would be un-played and at the bottom of a box in the basement until such a time as I needed a clear plastic slipcase. Whilst I'm not about to claim that the young Norwegian is about to become the next Rick Springfield or Bryan Adams, he has a pleasant Pop Rock voice, an understanding of song-writing and arranging, and obviously knows his way around a studio.

Opener 'Fire The Shot' sets the scene with a good crossover chorus, more Pop than Rock but a good song nonetheless, then because he follows it up with a big, orchestrated ballad you begin to think that maybe it won't Rock enough. However, as polite and clean as Satin's music obviously is, catchy tunes like 'I Want Us', 'I've Been Crazy' and 'Life Will Never Slow Down' up the guitar quotient slightly and add in some quirky keyboard fills and proper guitar solos. The album is at its best in the second half with a trio of Rockers, starting with the album highlight 'Some People Call It Love', on which Satin comes into his own and shows a maturity that will hopefully lead to a bigger record deal.

If he wants to make some serious waves he'd be well advised to drop the cringe-worthy Pop ballads – 'I Don't Need Anybody' and especially the uber-twee 'Friends' make even the wimpiest of REO Speedwagon ballads sound like Lamb Of God – but a decent production, a likeable voice and a handful of classy songs almost make you forget the fuzzy black and white photos on the cover.

Phil Ashcroft