Stephen Melbourne-based melodic rockers WHITE WIDDOW returned with an even stronger output in 'Serenade'. Sounding almost identical to their debut, the band kicked up the bar to a higher level with a more polished and well-crafted songs in the veins of Def Leppard's Hysteria/Adrenalize era and also wrapped up with European smooth AOR.

You can't find any fillers here, if you're really a fan of AOR, really it's just amazing to hear some heartburning songs like 'Cry Wolf', 'Strangers In The Night', or 'Serenade'. Granted there are few weaker songs such as 'Show Your Cards' or 'Mistake', but even those songs are still enjoyable. 'Do You Remember' is the most obvious Leppardized track, 'Reckless Night' is flawless, 'How Far I Run' is also stunning, but shame that the chorus is too similar with JOURNEY's 'Never Walk Away'.

This album is full of sugar-coated hooks, sing-along choruses that might remind you to the hey-day of arena rock back in the 80s, and the production is excellent. Definitely better than the debut, a 90% from me, and was in my final top ten list last year. Superb!

Stephen Australian's AOR machine, White Widdow (the double D was intended), quickly gained popularity through this album because of the slick catchy composition that vividly captured the 80s decade vibe and driven by a massive chorus and sweetened with a splendid keyboard. However, some criticism arose when some saw them live as Jules Millis' vocal was told that it's not as high and good as on the record.

Some songs here clearly remind me of classic Bon Jovi and also to their AOR peer, Houston, with another one that comes in mind is the lethal duo of Marcello/Vestry. The latter is maybe heavier but what make them come together are the marvelous melodies. 'Tokyo Rain' is like it was written by Jon Bon Jovi, great start! 'Broken Hearts Won't Last Forever' is even better and 'We've Got The Wings' is the best track here. The only tracks I dislike or less-favorable here are 'Spirit of Fire' and 'Shadows of Love', but the rest are pleasantly beautiful.

'Cross To Bare', 'One More Day', and 'Change of Passion' are highlights on the second half. All of them are uptempo tunes with nice guitar riffs. I can also see why some people dislike the band, some call it too fluffy, too sugary maybe, and the vocal lacks of passion, but I don't have an issue with them at all. In fact, I think they've done a good job despite the fact that it's an album short of originality. 80% for a well-executed AOR debut and the follow up, ‘Serenade’, which came out in 2011, brings their game to a higher level.