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

Save

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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 16 November 2025.

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 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

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

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.