Released by Sound Pollution Media
Release Date: September 3, 2010
Genre: AOR/Melodic Rock
Links: www.myspace.com/houstontheband
Links: http://www.rocketsongs.se
Line Up:
Freddie Allen Hampus “Hank” Erix
(Joined live by Erik Jansson, Joakim Söderström, Lasse
Falck and Dennis Bender)
Tracklist:
01. PRIDE
02. TRUTH SLIPS
03. HOLD ON
04. I’M ALIVE
05. ONE CHANCE
06. GIVE ME BACK MY HEART
07. MISERY
08. SHE’S A MYSTERY
09. NOW
10. 1000 SONGS
Finally we have here the full album from Houston, who earlier this year relleased the well recived single “Hold On” amist rave reviews. This single naturally build up some hype for the guys. The Swedish duo of Hampus “Hank” Erix (vocals) and Freddie Allen (Drums) make up the sensation that is HOUSTON. Houston has been named one of the hottest Swedish newcomers in years, by Sweden Rock Magazine, Powerplay Magazine and others.
It’s easy to get lost in the world of melodic rock, since the resurgence of the genre keeps on growing strong over the last few years. You still hear the icons of the genre such acts as Journey, Foreigner getting more playtime then ever, not only in radio but in movies and mainstream. Of course labels like Frontiers keep the fire burning reuniting some many talented groups for come back albums. Houston is another example here a talented duo of Erix on vocals and Allen on drums who passion for the music come together and along side an inventive producer in Ricky B Delin who brings a great crew together with the likes of Tommy Denander, Tomas Vikström (Talk of the town, Candlemass etc), Mats Olausson (Yngwie malmsteen etc) to add more power to their already catchy sound.
The single “Hold On” is a nice single as mentioned before but is tracks like “I’m Alive” that make the record flow with energy and provides the listener with the classic chords of vintage AOR. The keys in “Give Me Back My Heart” are soulfully played with the heartfelt drums marching on in this arena style rocker. The chorus in “She’s A Mistery” is definitely not hard to figure out as everything comes together on this track to unite more high rising harmonies. The name sake for Houston fits perfectly on these songs here as Denander provies a futuristic keyboard presence on some of the songs, which fit perfectly with the AOR vibe throughout the record.
Well much hard work it took for the guys to complete the record and it shows in the production and the performance. I think as time passes on we will go back and refer to this release as a top notch perhaps classic? You never know, all I know is that the music here is delivered to perfection with all the catchy hooks and enticing melodies we come to expect from veterans in the genre. One of the strongest releases of the year and to think we still have so much material to come out, really people could you ask for more if you’re a Melodic Rock fan? I didn’t think so. Knock this one back into you CD player because you’ll end up listening to it quite a few times.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 8/10
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