|
|
"If you're a fan of AOR you won't let this latest album go by and if you discover the band, you won't be disappointed by this "hope" nor by any of its predecessors."
|
4/5
|
|
|
|
The time of reckoning has come for Harem Scarem, the release of Hope being the concluding point of a work begun in the late 1980s by Canadians. Since 1991, the band has released 13 studio albums, 5 live records and an important anthology of compilations and Ep's. That's to say that the quartet has been prolific for almost twenty years, with many melodic AOR-hard rock classics like 'Weight Of The World' or 'Mood Swings', to name but a few. So it's only two years after the excellent 'Human Nature' that Harem Scarem decides to stop the band's activity with an album that, by its very title, maintains a certain hope. We still don't know in which direction to envisage the future of the band, but the opportunity is offered to us to enjoy a last album.
"Hope" is not fundamentally different from other Canadian productions. There is a constancy in these musicians to always offer quality songs with which we can't be disappointed. Thus, the album is a digest of melodies of about 3 minutes 40, calibrated to hit the bull's eye on the first listening. The inspiration of the quartet has not eroded during these years, and the energy is once again palpable.
During its 42-minute duration, "Hope" develops the magic recipe for success with inspired riffs, brilliant solos, devilishly melodic choruses and honeyed ballads. No need to make an exhaustive catalogue of tracks, just listen to the powerful "Watch Your Back", the dark "Hope" or the melancholic "Beyond Repair" with its beautiful vocal harmonies to be sure of the album's potential. Even if some tracks are too much stamped AOR-American like the ballad "Nothing Without You" or the powerful "Never Too Late", the magic undeniably works.
The production is once again impeccable and Pete Lesperance's guitar work is always flawless. Harry Hess uses his very expressive voice with measure and energy on each song, knowing how to find the right tone according to the musical direction. Creighton Doane and Barry Donaghy ensure the rhythm section with solidity without ever daring to overdo it.
As you can see, this ultimate work is no exception to the rule that every Harem Scarem's album is an AOR highlight. This "Hope" is not just another album in their discography because its testamentary character gives it a special colour. If you're an AOR fan you won't let this latest album go by and if you discover the band (better late than never), you won't be disappointed by this gem or by any of its predecessors. - Official website
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. Watch Your Back 03:50
02. Time Bomb 04:26
03. Hope 03:44
04. Days Are Numbered 03:45
05. Dark Times 03:19
06. Beyond Repair 03:50
07. Never Too Late 03:33
08. Shooting Star 03:52
09. Calm Before The Storm 03:13
10. Nothing Without You 04:42
11. Higher (Acoustic) 03:54
LINEUP:
Barry Donaghy: Basse
Creighton Doane: Batterie
Harry Hess: Chant / Guitares / Claviers
Pete Lesperance: Chant / Guitares / Claviers
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(0) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The album may not have been released or the spotify ID has not yet been entered or there is no spotify ID available
|
READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
|
STAFF:
4/5 (2 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH HAREM SCAREM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT HAREM SCAREM
|
|