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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
August 2020
- Simon Says: Spin This (Reissue)
- Josh Ramos: My Many Sides
- Lionville: Magic Is Alive
- Dukes Of The Orient: Freakshow
- Black Rose Maze (Rosa Laricchiuta): Black Rose Maze
- Thundermother: Heat Wave
- Stormzone: Ignite The Machine
- Starblind: Black Bubbling Ooze
- High Spirits: Hard To Stop
- Arctic Rain: The One
July 2020
- Damnation Angels: Fiber Of Our Being
- Primal Fear: Metal Commando
- Blazing Rust: Line Of Danger
- U.D.O. with The Concert Band of The German Armed Forces: We Are One
- Morse/Portnoy/George: Cover To Cover Anthology
- Pinnacle Point: Symphony Of Mind
- My Heavy Memory: Clarity
- Lonely Robot: Feelings Are Good
- Jet Jaguar: Endless Nights
- Domination Black: Judgement IV
- Shining Black: Shining Black Featuring Mark Boals and Olaf Thorson
- Tokyo Motor Fist: Lions
- Enuff Z'nuff: Brainwashed Generation
- In/Vertigo: Sex, Love & Chaos
- Michael Grant & The Assassins: Always The Villain
- Judicator: Let There Be Nothing
June 2020
- Bloody Heels: Ignite The Sky
- Alizarin: The Last Semblance
- Pale Divine: Consequence Of Time
- Long Distance Calling: How Do We Want To Live?
- Kenziner: Phoenix
Houston: Houston
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.
In Short
Houston's debut is accurate and entertaining AOR/melodic rock. It's definitely worth your attention if you love this classic style.
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I was really hoping Dukes Of The Orient, featuring vocalist John Payne and keyboard player Eric Norlander, would not be a one-off project. Their 2018 self-titled debut album was pretty fandamntastic ... [ Read More ]