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March 2023

• Excalion: Once Upon A Time
• RPWL: Crime Scene
• Transworld Identity: Seven Worlds
• Stormwarning: Stormwarning
• Phantom Elite: Blue Blood
• Narnia: Ghost Town
• Redemption: I Am The Storm
• Cross Country Driver: The New Truth
• The Banishment: Machine And Bone
• Seventh Crystal: Wonderland
• Demons Down: I Stand

February 2023

• Air Raid: Fatal Encounter
• Robin McAuley: Alive
• Creye: III - Weightless
• All My Shadows: Eerie Monsters
• First Signal: Face Your Fears
• Gabrielle de Val: Kiss In A Dragon Night
• We Came From Space: Overlords
• T3nors: Naked Soul
• Wig Wam: Out Of The Dark
• Khymera: Hold Your Ground
• Infinite & Divine: Ascendancy
• eMolecule: The Architect

January 2023

• Girish & The Chronicles: Back On Earth (Reissue)
• Arctic Rain: Unity
• Electric Mob: 2 Make U Cry & Dance
• Crowne: Operation Phoenix
• Ronnie Romero: Raised On Heavy Radio
• Ten: Something Wicked This Way Comes
• Riverside: ID.Entity
• Issa: Lights Of Japan
• Heroes And Monsters: Heroes And Monsters
• Big City: Sunwind Sails

December 2022

• NY Fury: I Want It All
• Tommy DeCarlo: Dancing In The Moonlight
• Tarmat: Out Of The Blue
• Scream Maker: Bloodking
• Sabu: Banshee
• Rob Moratti: Epical
• Nevena: Nevena
• Landfall: Elevate
• After Lapse: Face The Storm

[ 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.

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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Formed 23 years ago, Finland's Excalion has had a turbulent musical career. Before releasing a trio of albums between 2005 and 2010, they had personnel changes. Currently, only the drummer and keyboard ... [ Read More ]