|
Artist: House Of Lords |
|
|
Not many bands from the late 80's - early 90's can say they survived the storm that was Grunge, can they? In 1990, House Of Lords released their benchmark album 'Sahara', when all hell broke loose in the world of rock. Most bands sank without a trace, but not House Of Lords, as singer James Christian, well, he wouldn't let it, would he! Over the years there have been coming and goings with the band, but since they came about again in 2006, they have released four albums in five years. who in the hell does that these days!! 'Big Money' is their latest release, and its safe to say its up there with the best of them, Power rock at its very, very best actually. Title-track opener beings with Christian's wife, Robin Beck uttering those immortal words ... "The root of ALL EVIL" ..., before the song explodes into life with Christian's cry of 'Money' and a pulsating drum beat. For those of you who have never heard the vocal ability of James Christian, you gotta check this man out! He belts out his lyrics as if his life depended on it, he's that good, and that's only after one song! 'One Man Down' sets itself up to be a slow burner due to the acoustic guitar and tapped cymbal intro, only to turn into a minefield of riffs and drums. Christian claims that "it's the bands best work to date", and you hear why. Its an awesome song by anyone's standard, never mind their own. No wonder he's proud of it. It's not all blood and thunder mind you, the band do show they can do the melodic stuff as well. A soaring solo on 'First To Cry' helps show their "softer" side, and its not the only one either. The first single 'Someday When' will appeal to those out there who like the anthemic sing-a-long sections in a song. starting with a huge keyboard piece of action, its a song of harmonies, power chords and more harmonies! 'Run For Your Life' keeps that melodic flag flying as does 'Hologram', where Jimi Bell shows his worth with a solo combo that makes you sit up and listen. It's only a small part of what is a great example of how a band should do the "ultimate radio-friendly" rock song. 'Nuff said. That's all not to say this band can't really rock it up, does it. A pulsating burst on guitar introduces you to the thumper 'Seven', its steady heavy pace set by BJ Zampa's drums not letting up for a moment. (Cool name of what!). This is where Christian really nails it for sure, his voice full of energy and faultless at the same time. If there was to be a comparison of any band on 'Once Twice', it would be Pink Cream 69. The track has the same type of powerful, yet not over the top set up that band foes for. Both seem to know how heavy they need to go without spoiling the outcome, and its here where House Of Lords teeter on the edge, but pull themselves back. Thankfully there is a ballad on the album, the classy, piano-led 'The Next Time I Hold You'. For one, it breaks up the cycle of uptempo songs, and it also lets you see how Christian can handle a slow song. The verdict? with ease! He's got that perfect rough texture to keep the song from being too sugary, as say Richard Marx would take it, though Angry Anderson is a no! Just to finish on another rasper, 'Blood' gets the band back on their rockier side again. Started the album that way, so they'll finish it that way, and why not! Job done on a fine album by House Of Lords. 'Big Money' has been described as a "big" album, and it is in every way you listen to it. Everyone out there now has something to aim for if they want to get noticed, as this album is possibly one of the best releases of 2011 by far. Review
by: Bob Baldwin |
|
| Tracklisting:
1.
Big Money |
|
|
All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
|