Album review: HOUSE OF SHAKIRA – Sour Grapes

MelodicRock Records [Release date 26.08.16]

Time doesn’t half fly as House Of Shakira have been around since 1991 and their classic ‘Lint’ album was released back in 1994 – every rock fan’s home should have a copy of that album in my humble opinion. The band have soldiered on down the years and released a string of enjoyable albums. Their last album 2013′s ‘Pay To Play’ was released on the same label as this new one is and provides the band with a good launchpad for their album.

There are two absolute monster tunes on here in the shape of ‘Bend The River’ (which sees the band’s trademark harmony vocals in overload) and ‘Hopeless Case’, the latter sees the band use keyboards to full effect. This is why I love this band their ability to produce a catchy tune and a chorus that doesn’t leave your head for days after first hearing it. Andreas Novak is singing up a storm on these two and you can see why House Of Shakira were quick to employ his services after leaving Mind’s Eye.

‘On The Edge’ starts off slowly before becoming one of the heaviest songs on the album, allowing Mats Hallstensson and Anders Lundström plenty of chance to show their guitar skills. The venom in the lyric ‘My Disaster’ is nicely coated in the vocal harmonies and the chorus won’t leave you alone after hearing it.

Quite possibly their best outing since the heady days of their ‘Lint’ album, yes it is really that good. House Of Shakira are one of the most consistent and enjoyable melodic hard rock bands out there, long may that continue. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

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14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)