HESS – Living In Yesterday

FRONTIERS RECORDS www.frontiers.it

For over 15 years Canadians Harem Scarem were one of the best melodic rock bands in the business, and among a variety of changing musical styles from one album to the next, the effortlessly superb vocals of Harry Hess were one constant.

Since they split he seems to have returned to the more mainstream commercial approach that characterised HS’s early days, first with the ‘First Signal’ project, now with his debut solo album. The title track and opener is blissfully melodic and hook-laden in an old school sense, but there is also a modern feel to the album, be it lush ballads with pianos and strings like Its Over and What If, or the rockier Don’t Leave Me, which has a contemporary feel but still strong hooks or choruses. Harem Scarem fans seeking something more reassuringly familiar will love the straight ahead pop rock of Nothing Lasts Forever and the Def Leppard harmonies of I Live for You, and indeed HS guitarist Pete Lesperance is among the contributors.

In places the album reminds me of Richard Marx’s new material, albeit slightly rockier, and only once does it falter when on I Don’t Wanna Want You, Harry moves into the territory of danceable pop-rock in the style of Maroon 5 or Train. Nevertheless this is an excellent album, blending traditional and more contemporary melodic rock sounds and with songs designed to play to his vocal talents.

**** 1/4

Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)