Album review: HAREM SCAREM – United
Frontiers [Release date 12.05.17]
This is Harem Scarem’s second album since reuniting back in 2013 – three if you count their re-recording of their classic ‘Mood Swings’ album they did to get back their ownership of the songs.
Original members Harry Hess (vocals) and Pete Lesperance (guitars) are still present and correct, along with long-time drummer Creighton Doane, and Stan Miczek (bass). Original drummer Darren Smith adds backing vocals and he is joined by Jeff Scott Soto, Jeff Dalziel, Pete Newdeck and Alessandro Del Vecchio in helping creating those trademark layered harmonies Harem Scarem do so well and are an integral part of their sound.
The opening trio of the title track, ‘Here Today, Gone Tomorrow’ and ‘Gravity’ are amongst the best songs the band have recorded. Each one has a chorus with a bigger hook than a whaling vessel and blissful harmonies.
Songs made for playing loud and enjoying. Harry Hess is still on fine vocal form and the backing vocals choirs work well, such as on ‘Sinking Ship’ which sounds like Def Leppard at times.
Speaking of Def Leppard, they’d be happy to have written the ballad ‘One Of Life’s Mysteries’. It has highs and lows in the tempo and again allows Harry Hess to show off his impressive singing skills.
It is not all killer no filler as ‘No Regrets’ does sound a bit samey, although Pete Lesperance has some great guitar parts on this one.
Harem Scarem have really found their groove on this album, perfect for a summer’s day or any day you need great melodic rock music. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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