Houston II is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2010 debut by the Swedish AOR outfit Houston. The band has been working on the new songs since the last tour of the UK in 2011, and the result shows that it was not chance that got their first album to 1st place of Classic Rock Magazine's top AOR albums of 2010. Producer/keyboard player Ricky Delin has for this album become a full member of the band, together with Hank Erix (vocals) and Freddie Allen (drums). The trio has once again used Sweden's finest melodic rock musicians, such as the great Tommy Denander for most guitar parts and long-time band associate Soufian Ma'Aoui for the bass parts. The album's ten tracks were carefully chosen among a ton of material. "Only the really good tunes make the cut. We wouldn't release an album with "ok" songs" states Freddie Allen, founding member and main song writer together with Ricky Delin. Together, the duo wrote some of the most notable tracks off the first album, such as Pride, Hold On and Truth Slips - which made 17th place of Classic Rock Magazine's best songs of 2010. Track listing: Glory; I m Coming Home; Return My Heart; Talk To Me; Back To The Summer Of Love; 24 Hours; On The Radio; Losing; Just Friends; Believe
M**N
Amazing follow up album.
I think the previous reviewer was a little premature with the verdict of 3 stars. I had big expectations for this second original material album from Houston. The first couple of plays I must admit totally didn't light my fire. I'm comimg home was the stand out track purely because I have heard it numerous times and it is a standard catchy 80's melodic song. However, after 6 or so spins this album is proving to be everything I expected. Lavish keybords, great guitar riffs, immaculate vocals, tight percussion/bass and a quality production carried over from the "relaunch" album. The songs and hook lines stick firmly in your head once you give it them extra spins. This is 80's melodic rock with a modern sound and production. Keep them coming Houston and be proud of this follow up album. 10/10 for me. Love it!How about a second relaunch album next?
M**E
Poor and cliched.
Well - the singer is fairly good, puts his heart into it, but to me his voice is just a bit too nondescript. Otherwise - I'd say this album is rather more pop than AOR or true melodic rock as it seems to be mostly described. A couple of these songs would do well on Eurovision. I quite liked the first 2 songs nonetheless, Glory and Coming Home, but after that I was bored and got fed up of the cliched lyrics and repetition. (Fire and desire and higher etc.) Also the blatant rip off of Bruce Springsteen's line from his song Highway Patrolman "Nothing feels better than blood on blood" jarred a bit. Some of the songs have fairly catchy pleasant enough pop tunes but beyond that this is poor and extremely derivative material.
A**M
Houston we've had a (slight) problem
The third release from AOR band Houston doesn't have the immediate magic of either their self titled release or covers album Relaunch which I rated 5 stars, so it only gets an initial 3 stars.The ten track album might grow on me, and the tracks I'm Coming Home, Talk to Me and the duet Just Friends show promise. Perhaps they should have thrown in a couple of covers as they can clearly identify great AOR tracks from the past.The album will appeal to AOR fans, who like Survivor, FM or any of the other great bands coming out of Scandinavia.
H**S
Very good AOR album!
Despite some other reviews that I have read, the second album from swedish band Houston, in my opinion, is in the same level of the debut. My favourites tracks are Glory, I'm Coming Home, Talk To Me and 24 Hours.
C**A
Excellent Swedish Group
Just discovered this group on You Tube and they are brilliant !I immediately bought 3 of their albums.If you like melodic AOR this band is a must.
T**A
i would recommend the product and the seller
I received the product as described, i would recommend the product and the seller, great service.
D**S
Five Stars
Excellent album
S**E
Perfect AOR
A gem of an album. Pure AOR fluffy heaven.
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