Miss Behaviour - Heart of Midwinter (Reissue)

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Due some shifts in the past 20 years, music business became hard for some bands that had to face the new responsibility: to breed a name without the needed support (especially speaking of the fans, because sometimes the idea is that people are afraid of knowing new bands). And some fine releases are not as heard and known as they really deserves. One case if of “Heart of Midwinter”, the first album of the Swedish quintet MISS BEHAVIOUR, new in a new release. The band’s music is a form of Melodic Hard Rock that is plenty of AOR influences. One can say that this formula is already known, but this writer must say that the quintet brings a personal approach on it, bringing a fresh and energetic breath of life on the old approach, with excellent melodies inherited from the 80’s, choruses that are hard to forget (if one can do so), and solid work of the instrumental parts and lovely melodic vocals.

Even after 17 years, this album still sounds fresh, full of life and alive. And these are reasons more than enough to check this reissue. The original sonority of the album is pretty good, with things being defined and with a very good level of distortion (what brings life and energy to their music, for the guitars can be heard clearly). Of course that things could be better, but’s very good, indeed, especially because this reissued version was remastered.

All nine songs of the album are excellent, and show a band that deserves to be heard and enjoyed by the fans. But especially due moments as “The Shine” (what lovely set of melodies and 80’s ambiences, with excellent ‘dickinsonian’ vocals and catchy chorus, and what charming keyboards arrangements), “Precious Time” (this one is a hit, a song that could be at the soundtrack of any 80’s film for sure, and the guitars are really excellent), “Dreams are Cursed” (this one releases a charming and hypnotic energy, with a solid and dynamical work of bass guitar and drums, and what lovely backing vocals), “Circles” (a melodic and deeper song with that accessible set of contrasts that enables it to be played on radios), “Make It Your Own Way” (another very good and energetic song, with a weighty sheath adorned by great melodies), and “One Heart in Divide”.

This reissue of “Heart of Midwinter” is limited, so get your copy now, or you’ll be crying. And MISS BEHAVIOUR deserves applause.

Songwriting: 10
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 8