Artist: House Of Shakira 
   Title: Retoxed
   Label: Lion Music

I first saw House of Shakira at the Gods 2001 and they blew me away, I’ve been a fan ever since and their albums have shown a consistent quality throughout.  This is their 5th album and with previous efforts, have seen them produce high quality melodic rock with a contemporary edge.  Lush vocals, big riffs and catchy hooks along with trademark melodies and vocal phrasing.  Once again the music is complimented with a solid production and vibrant mix. 

Where most bands would kick off a CD with a big opener HoS opt for the quiet piano and vocal of title track 'Retoxed', short, sweet and damned wonderful.  With that it’s straight into 'Small Town' with a big Queen type opening and we’re off and rocking.  This is an immediate and foot-stomping song with those big layered vocals.

'No Faith' is up next and an uncomprimising heavy, crunching, tune and shows the band are, once again, not prepared to stagnate, a huge contemporary sounding riff pummelling from the speakers.

'Crazy But No Fool' is more like HoS of old, with a big, catchy chorus.  Then we’re into 'Life and Death', another song with a big, catchy chorus with some great harmonies.  'Gabon Viper' has a heavy guitar opening and the chorus is half decent but that’s about it unfortunately.

Another big guitar opening ushers in 'High Above', some great riffing, but the chorus lets the song down.  'Red Alert' is up next, and the verses are a bit too quirky even for HOS, but the chorus and harmonies are a stand out of the album.

On to 'Bloodline', which starts with the sound of a motorcycle engine and someone running down a hallway and the sound of a guitar in the distance. Then the band launch it a sub-Led Zepplin riff.

'Angel Dancer' follows on and this is another quirky tune that just doesn’t sit very well at all.  The album closes out with another favourite, 'Turkish Nights', a dark, slow-burning rock ballad, plenty of layered harmonies and choruses, big and bold. 

This album has some strong songs, but is unable to match previous effort 'First Class'.  The band have a unique, quirky melodic style and this is not a bad album, just not up to past efforts.  There are at least 5 tracks on here that will work great live and I hope the band give us the chance to hear them.

* Review by Brassy.

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