• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

May 2025

• The Speaker Wars: The Speaker Wars
• Giant: Stand And Deliver
• Sign Of The Wolf: Sign Of The Wolf
• Harem Scarem: Chasing Euphoria
• Cosmic Cathedral: Deep Water
• Beholder: In the Temple of the Tyrant
• Art Nation: The Ascendance
• Laurenne/Louhimo: Falling Through Stars
• Rock Out: Let's Call It Rock N Roll
• The Flower Kings: Love
• Maestrick : Espresso Della Vita: Lunare

March 2025

• W.E.T.: Apex
• Alliance: Before Our Eyes
• Ginevra: Beyond Tomorrow
• Phil X & The Drills:
  Pow! Right In The Kisser
• IQ: Dominion
• Heart Line: Falling Heaven
• Gotthard: Stereo Crush
• Defender: Dying To Live
• Streetlight: Night Vision

February 2025

• Robin McAuley: Soulbound
• Perfect Plan: Heart Of A Lion
• Craig Brooks: Desolation Freeway
• Mantric Momentum: Alienized
• Pattern-Seeking Animals: Friend Of All Creatures
• Crazy Lixx: Thrill Of The Bite
• Ginger Evil: The Way It Burns
• Dream Theater: Parasomnia
• Tyran: Tyran's Oath
• Saber: Lost In Flames

January 2025

• Wildness: Avenger
• The Ferrymen: Iron Will
• Labyrinth: In The Vanishing Echoes Of Goodbye
• Bonfire: Higher Ground
• The Big Deal: Electrified
• Landfall: Wide Open Sky

December 2024

• After Lapse: Pathways
• Illusion Force: Halfana
• Powell-Payne: Voilá

[ More Music Reviews ]

Houston: Houston

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.5/5.0

Rocket Songs/Sound Pollution
www.myspace.com/houstontheband
www.rocketsongs.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  09.06.2010

Sweden's Houston says their music is inspired by the great 80's music. Actually, I think you can step back another five to ten years into 70's AOR, melodic rock and, more than likely, the indefatigable West Coast sound. Houston (the duo of Hampus "Hank" Erix and Freddie Allen) offer a breezy platter of tightly woven melodic rock. That's the canvas and its painted with beautiful melodies, rich vocal harmonies, strong infectious choruses, and an airy comfortable feel that immediately puts you at ease. However these two disciples of all things 'old school' AOR came to their craft, the path was perfect and their craftsmanship is more than sound. (And I find it interesting that this 'sound' is finding its greatest proponents in Scandinavia: consider State Cows.) While there are few other current examples of bands doing this style, Houston is clearly one of the best going. Best tracks include Truth Slips, Hold On, She's a Mystery, and 1000 Songs. Houston's debut is accurate and entertaining AOR/melodic rock. It's definitely worth your attention if you love this classic style.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Houston's debut is accurate and entertaining AOR/melodic rock. It's definitely worth your attention if you love this classic style.

Alphabetical Index

Three decades on and still going strong is the iconic progressive rock band, The Flower Kings, founded by veteran multi-instrumentalist and composer Roine Stolt. Since 1994, The Flower Kings have been known ... [ Read More ]