This will remain one of my most played albums of 2013.

There are so many facets of this, the third album from Finnish rockers White Flame that just don't add up in 2013, which should really make it a bit of a disaster. From the blatantly sexist cover with the slogan "Sex sells and you're buying", along with influences as diverse as GN'R and Aerosmith, through to funk and even a bit of eighties disco nights boogie. Yet remarkably, a huge level of energy, enthusiasm and no little talent, manages to turn this into an incredibly listenable and enjoyable package.

Opener 'Get What's Mine' is a slice of ballsy rock fellow Scandinavians Europe would be proud of, swiftly followed by 'I Know Where You Live' more of a classic American rocker in Alice Cooper vein. Hooks and big choruses abound, but a huge performance throughout from frontman Vince – along with his power and charisma – holds it all together. 'What Girls Like' gives us some 80s funk, whilst 'Used To Be A Girl' goes even further towards a disco beat. But it's straight back to rock mode with the GN'R-like 'Right Back In', complete with its glorious refrain of "I've been meaning to kick your face in for so long" and 'We Get It On' that's straight from the Aerosmith book of songwriting. Sandwiched between, Vince shows his class with 'Stay', a power ballad to match the best. One song that sums up the whole vibe of White Flame is an exuberant, rocked up cover of Roxette's 'The Look'.

Yes, this is an eclectic mix of styles, but held together by a storming vocal performance, some great work from guitarist Anthon and most importantly we get a superb clear, crisp production, combined with arrangements and orchestration that make it work. Strings, horns, some piano and the line of female backing vocalists are all here, but most of all it's the sound of a band having fun and just going for i, that gives the album its rock class, regardless of its diversity.

It may have been released at the end of 2012, but this will remain one of my most played albums of 2013...

Ian Parry