A Collection Of Pop/Rock Music From The 70's, 80's And Early 90's.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
HOUSE OF LORDS - Big Money (Release: Sep 27th, 2011 USA - Sep 23th, 2011 EU)
Here we go with the latest by one of the most recognizable voices in Rock music and his band. A soon as you listen the first single from this album, Someday When, you realize there's a heavier weight of keys in this album, in fact, this cut sounds much to Giuffria's era so this track could perfectly fit into their debut album back in 88'. The album opens with Big Money a cut in the harder vein of HOUSE OF LORDS. One Man Down initially reminds of their cover of BLIND FAITH's Can't Find My Way Back Home because of the acoustic guitar but soon the track changes into a song highly influenced by Zeppelin with guitars ala-JIMMY PAGE. First To Cry is a more melodic or even pop so could had been part of Rude Awakenings, nice song with beautiful guitar solo and with no doubt one of the highlights in this album. Saechin' is rawer with prominence on guitars and built on a rythm that sometimes reminds of Black Velvet by ALANNAH MYLES but obviously much harder. Living In A Dream World is involved in an arabian atmosphere that i don't like much though the song sounds good specially in chorus part with nice background keys. The Next Time I Hold You is the only ballad, not a bad song, but has excesive cymbals in the chorus part and even are misses some orchestal arrangements that would have fixed much more better with the piano all over the song than this keys that are a little strident. Run For Your Life is another track that could be from their fist album with bombastic keys and a guitar solo combined with a funny hi hat that made of this another highlight. Hologram, from the first listening you'll notice this song has a touch of DEF LEPPARD. Curious what happens to me with this song, the first couple of times i listened i didn't know if i liked or no but now is my favorite one, precious chorus and awesome guitar solo but production should be stronger in a couple of moments. Seven is pure Hard Rock sounding much to Sahara, another great track. Once Twice is faster, in the vein of Metallic Blue, your feet won't stop moving till this cut ends while Blood, the last cut, is darker with strong guitars and amazing and catchy chorus.
All over the album James Christian keeps shoving his voice is in perfect shape while Jimi Bell's solos are simply impresive. Keys takes a principal role and that gives the true flavor to HOUSE OF LORDS sound, but drum work should be a little bit more polished, i mean, sometimes are played in a modern way that doesn't fit right with the sound of this album.
I hope and pray is because of the copy i own but sound should be much better.
In summary, great album that bring us back to the sound of their first three works. Though this album can't reach the excellence of this efforts, what is for sure is that it's the best by HOUSE OF LORDS since 1992.
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