Tag: house of lords (Page 2 of 2)

As a spin off from Giuffria, Gregg managed to secure a deal with Simmons Records for a hard edged melodic rock band project, House of Lords. This is the first fruits of their labours, a self titled offering from ’88 and it was produced by super producer Andy Johns. The band is still going today, thanks to that home of lost souls Frontiers Records, but the only original member is singer James Christian.

Opening track, Pleasure Palace, has the big pomp keyboard intro and sort of gives a false impression of what’s to follow, as the track is good up-tempo rocker. I Wanna Be Loved would have made a great single – a very catchy tune. Edge of Your Life starts out as a big power ballad, but redeems itself as the groove changes into a more up beat tune. Shout out to Lanny Cordola whose guitar exploits add that little extra to every song – a great player! Lookin’ For Strange is the first speedy track on the album in Hot For Teacher style and is a great tune, it has plenty of guitars with a killer groove. Side 1 closes out with Love Don’t Lie and it’s big ballad time.

Side 2 kicks off with Slip Of The Tongue – probably the best track on the album. It’s a great up-tempo rocker with over the top everything. Funnily enough, it does remind me of Whitesnake in places. Hearts Of The World is the big production number on the album, big everything on this track. Under Blue Skies is a big sing-a-long anthem tune – albeit a bit lightweight in the groove department – and reminds me of St Elmos Fire. Call My Name is the penultimate track and it pounds in with big drums, and again the hook and melody are huge. The album closes out with Jealous Heart – a power balladarama. A really good album and quite reminiscent of the period.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Considered by many as the guitarist’s guitarist, Holdsworth is one of the true innovators of the instrument. Acknowledged for his use of advanced musical theory in stretching the possibilities of melody and harmony by using weird and wonderful chord progressions. Eddie Van Halen is name checked in the credits, and I’m sure it’s because of Ed that Ted Templeman is an executive producer.

This basically is an extended EP, and with only has six tracks, it clocks in under 25 minutes. This is one for the muso’s amongst you as there aren’t many real time songs, although, the title track Road Games has a normal song structure with lyrics and everything, and the track Was There (which has the amazing Jack Bruce on vocals) is the best track on the album. There is no doubt that Holdsworth was an incredible player, and his playing here is exceptional. Ably accompanied by the amazing Jeff Berlin on bass, and Chad Wackerman on drums, this album is for jazz fusion aficionados and for the curious.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Formed in ’87 by ex-Angel keyboard whizz, Gregg Giuffria, the band instantly signed to Gene Simmons’ label. By the time this album was released in ’92, the writing was on the wall – grunge had taken a hold and well crafted and well written melodic rock songs were deemed surplus to requirements, and they would disband a year later. It’s a shame as this record had a big budget, and you can tell, as the production is top drawer. They also had division 1 drummer for hire, Tommy Aldridge to lay down those heavy grooves.

Melody and hooks are the order of the day here, and opener O Father shows that to the max. Second track in and the big production title track blows the cobwebs right off. It has an epic feel with a great vocal and big production. Next up it’s ballad central, and this is one of the reasons bands like this failed in the nineties. What’s Forever For and Spirit Of Love on Side 1 are decent enough songs, but fans wanted that harder edge – they had enough of all these syrupy ballads. Sandwiched in between is Talkin’ Bout Love, which is really great rockin’ song.

Side 2 starts with Down Down Down, and it begins with the obligatory EVH rip off solo for all hair band guitarists everywhere, before the big fat riff kicks in – it’s a great opener. Metallic Blue keeps the pace moving with a contender for best tack on the record. A great up-tempo rocker with a killer melody and chorus. Then it’s back to ballad city with Inside You. Christian sings it really well, but the ballad count is up to three. Johnny’s Got A Mind Of His Own is prime time hair rock, with a big sing along chorus and a bounce along groove with a side of fat riff. Last song of the album is Can’t Fight Love and is very Def Leppard, but not a bad way to end the record.

If they had kept the ballad count down to one then I would have given it a 9 but they get 8/10 from The Grooveman.