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Houston: II

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.0/5.0

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Livewire Records / Cargo Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.22.2013

How does Houston follow up one of the most popular and well-received AOR melodic rock albums of 2010? Serve up more of the same. Their debut raised eyebrows and tickled ears three years ago. Their second effort, simply II, will likely do the same.

Houston: not in Texas.

Once more it's Eighties AOR melodic rock deja vu. The emphasis is upon strong melody and harmony, from vocal arrangements to sparkling keyboards to stirring guitar lines and leads. It's a formula that Hank Erix (v), Freddie Allen (d) and new member Ricky Delin (k) along with talents like guitarist Tommy Denander know well and so craft good songs. Actually, if he's providing all the leads here, Denander's presence is perhaps the strongest feature here. But that's not saying much considering there's hardly a weak link anywhere between musicianship and composition. The real question may be this: how does doing the same still stay fresh rather than redundant? With something like Glory and Return My Heart, which are saved by the guitar work, it slips more towards the latter. But they are still very good songs within a collection of strong songs. Alternatively, I'm Coming Home (listen below), Talk to Me, 24 Hours, Losing, and the closer Believe leap from your speakers with unexpected liveliness saying the final chapter hasn't been written on classic AOR melodic rock. But, as said before, that's what Houston does best, and with agility and creativity. If you liked the debut, you'll certain dig debut part two. Recommended.

Houston - I'm Coming Home

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you liked Houston's debut, then you'll dig the debut part II. Solid and classic AOR melodic rock.

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