Sandra Nasic is of course well known for her work with Guano Apes. In 2004 she left Guano Apes to seek her own fortune and test her qualities. She describes The Signal as �her favorite playlist�. But is it my favorite playlist?

 

Sandra�s new work is very comparable to the previous albums of Guano Apes, their third album Walking On A Thin Line in particular. There�s just one main difference and that�s the big influence of contemporary pop music in the sound of Sandra. This is especially the case with the last few songs on the album. Tracks like The Signal, Counting Trees and Ireen even have a Gwen Stefani-like feel about them. I think these songs will scare the more rock-orientated public. On the other hand the fan of the better popmusic will have a good time listening to them.

 

There are some excellent rocktunes on this album. Especially the first single of the album, Fever, is worth mentioning. It�s too bad that those songs are mixed up with some fillers. Those songs bring the overall quality of the album down. You also don�t have to expect some killer riffs or remarkable drumwork. All the songs are written in service of her voice, which is in a great shape by the way. This of course comes with a downside and that�s a lack of change in tempo. Almost all the songs are midtempo or slower and that�s in my opinion a missed opportunity.

 

Sandra clearly aims at the more mainstream public instead of the rock/metal fans among us. This is definitely not a bad album, but it just doesn�t rock enough to give it an edge over other artists. I was expecting that someone with her experience and status would make a very nice and an above average rockalbum, so I am a bit disappointed with the delivered quality and the songwriting. Maybe her next album will prove me wrong, but I am afraid Sandra is lost for the rock audience.