| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Change The World Aftershock Searching For Meaning The Death Of Me Mother Of Invention No Man's Land In The Unknown Riot In My Head No Me Without You Fire & Gasoline Swallowed By The Machine Release Date: March 6, 2020 Label: Frontiers Music srl Website: www.harescarem.net www.facebook.com/haremscarem.band |  |
HAREM SCAREM IS:
Harry Hess - Vocals & keyboards / Pete Lesperance - Guitars & backing vocals
Creighton Doane - Drums / Mike Vassos - Bass
Harry Hess - Vocals & keyboards / Pete Lesperance - Guitars & backing vocals
Creighton Doane - Drums / Mike Vassos - Bass
You know, I'm not trying to brag when I say this, but we Canadians are certainly very proud that our country has produced some pretty awesome bands. Now, when it comes to Canadian bands, it goes without saying that the first rock band people think about when they think of Canada is Rush, and rightfully so. Of course, there are so many other great bands like Annihilator, April Wine, Mahogany Rush, Triumph, Helix, Lee Aaron, Kim Mitchell, Goddo, I Mother Earth, Saga, Coney Hatch, and so on. However, one band that gets often overlooked is Harem Scarem, one of the finest melodic hard rock bands to come from Toronto. You have to give it up for founding members: vocalist Harry Hess and guitarist Pete Lesperance because when it comes to crafting memorable songs, they have it down to a science. They have been in the game long enough to know what works best for the band.
Since 1990, these legends have been putting out records full of hooks, great riffs, great vocals, and overall memorable songs, guaranteed to put a huge smile on any rock fan's face. There was a period when they were broken up from 2008 to 2013, but since their reformation, they have released four more albums. One was the re-recording of their classic album Mood Swings, and three more albums of all fresh material: Thirteen (2014), United (2017), and their brand new album Change The World (2020). The latter is their fifteenth, (yes, fifteenth) studio album. For 30 years now, Harem Scarem have stuck to a certain sound that definitely works for them, and that's why Change The World doesn't really deviate too far from its predecessor: United.
Of course, some songs are better than others. For example, some of the songs with the most memorable hooks include "Aftershock", "Searching For Meaning" and "The Death Of Me". To me, the title track lacks the pop or that compelling element to make it a great opener. I honestly think it should've switched places with "Aftershock". None of the songs go over 5 minutes. Many people have short attention spans. I think many people who get the chance to hear Change The World (or pretty much any Harem Scarem album) will dig the tunes, whether you're a rock fan who likes crunchy guitars and good hooks, or if you're more of a pop fan, who prefers straight-to-the-point, catchy, melodic tunes.
I really like how Harry's vocals go a little lower on "Fire & Gasoline", creating one of the most memorable verses on the whole record. The vocal harmonies in particular are just one of the record's standout elements. Harmonies (whether vocal or guitar) are pure ear candy to me when done right. Now, as I've said many times before, when you follow a formula for your whole career, you're going to end up rehashing riffs at times as you continue making records. There are riffs on this record that sound like they've been used before at other points of the band's career, and riffs between songs that mirror each other. Simply put, Change The World is a very by-the-numbers melodic hard rock album, but a damn enjoyable one with great hooks, memorable melodies, and well-crafted simple songs. Get the record when it comes out!
Highs: "Aftershock", "Searching For Meaning", "The Death Of Me" and "Fire & Gasoline"
Lows: Some riffs kind of mirror each other in terms of flow.
Since 1990, these legends have been putting out records full of hooks, great riffs, great vocals, and overall memorable songs, guaranteed to put a huge smile on any rock fan's face. There was a period when they were broken up from 2008 to 2013, but since their reformation, they have released four more albums. One was the re-recording of their classic album Mood Swings, and three more albums of all fresh material: Thirteen (2014), United (2017), and their brand new album Change The World (2020). The latter is their fifteenth, (yes, fifteenth) studio album. For 30 years now, Harem Scarem have stuck to a certain sound that definitely works for them, and that's why Change The World doesn't really deviate too far from its predecessor: United.
Of course, some songs are better than others. For example, some of the songs with the most memorable hooks include "Aftershock", "Searching For Meaning" and "The Death Of Me". To me, the title track lacks the pop or that compelling element to make it a great opener. I honestly think it should've switched places with "Aftershock". None of the songs go over 5 minutes. Many people have short attention spans. I think many people who get the chance to hear Change The World (or pretty much any Harem Scarem album) will dig the tunes, whether you're a rock fan who likes crunchy guitars and good hooks, or if you're more of a pop fan, who prefers straight-to-the-point, catchy, melodic tunes.
I really like how Harry's vocals go a little lower on "Fire & Gasoline", creating one of the most memorable verses on the whole record. The vocal harmonies in particular are just one of the record's standout elements. Harmonies (whether vocal or guitar) are pure ear candy to me when done right. Now, as I've said many times before, when you follow a formula for your whole career, you're going to end up rehashing riffs at times as you continue making records. There are riffs on this record that sound like they've been used before at other points of the band's career, and riffs between songs that mirror each other. Simply put, Change The World is a very by-the-numbers melodic hard rock album, but a damn enjoyable one with great hooks, memorable melodies, and well-crafted simple songs. Get the record when it comes out!
Highs: "Aftershock", "Searching For Meaning", "The Death Of Me" and "Fire & Gasoline"
Lows: Some riffs kind of mirror each other in terms of flow.
FINAL RATING
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