HALESTORM – The Strange Case Of… [Deluxe Edition] (2012)

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After HALESTORM’s impressive self-titled debut (2009), early this year the EP ‘It’s Mz Hyde’ gave a very good overview of their upcoming full length album “The Strange Case Of…” to be released on April 10.

Most bands struggle to match the success of a highly acclaimed first album, and Halestorm set its own bar remarkably high. Still, in an era of throw-away acts pumping out forgettable albums, Halestorm took the heart of its songwriting back to an era where melody, nuance and substance mattered.
For “The Strange Case Of…”, the Pennsylvania quartet once again tapped fellow statesman Howard Benson to produce the selected new 15 songs in this Deluxe Edition (12 on the standard CD) amongst the 56 wrote for the occasion.

The album kicks off with the first single, the hard rockin’ headbanger “Love Bites (So Do I)”. The song has that Skid Row ‘Slave To The Grind’ feel to it: fast, punchy and aggressive, with rampaging guitar work from Joe Hottinger and maniacal drumming from Arejay Hale. As she often does, frontwoman Lzzy Hale makes good use of sexual innuendo. The band’s years on the road pay obvious dividends with excellent musicianship all around. Lzzy’s vocals, which are already among the best of any genre, really flex here, soaring to new heights we haven’t yet heard.
On “Mz. Hyde”, the band takes us in with a crunchy rolling lick. An atmospheric backdrop sets the stage as Lzzy sings of the darkness within her. Heavy riffage and swagger that mixes contemporary and classic sounds.
Next up is “I Miss The Misery”, a hard-boiled modern rocker full of swing. I’m not yet sold on the musical approach here.

Halestorm seem poised to move from clubs to arenas in 2012, and “Freak Like Me” is the perfect anthem for the cause. A ballsy, raucous, rallying cry; the band may have penned a signature song here.
While Lzzy sometimes has that look of vulnerability which brings out the male need to protect, we’ve never really heard it in her music. On “The Strange Case Of…” she shows off her softer side.
Starting on “Beautiful With You”, we get a trio of songs that could well be hits on rock radio. Expect “Beautiful With You” to be one of the album’s monster hit singles. Lyrically we can all relate to the message of overcoming our own impaired self-image when someone else’s perception of who we are help’s us blossom with new self-awareness.
On “In Your Room”, Lzzy returns the favor by opening her heart to the misunderstood and troubled boy. Starts acoustically during the first verses and then the full band comes in at the chorus. It’s a highly commercial ballad with an early nineties vibe.
Perhaps the most unusual of these tracks is the piano and vocal only ballad, “Break In”. Lzzy’s vocals are breathy and plaintive, soaked in angst and longing. The album is worth owning if only for the beauty and breadth of Lzzy’s vocals on this track.

“Rock Show” taps into Lzzy’s personal side. The song is packed with great hooks that latch on and hang with you for days. A rocker framed by a very simple but strong guitar riff and very emotive vocals throughout.
“Daughters Of Darkness” is another arena anthem. Lzzy’s at her ballsy best, and like many of the tracks on the record this one is fan-friendly and built for live performance. The southern rock tinged ”American Boys” opens up with a nice boogie-and-roll riff adding some variation.
“Here’s To Us” is another of the album’s potential hit singles. A sweet and sentimental midtempo arm-waving, lighters and cellphones to the sky, arena-built anthem.
The Deluxe Edition includes three bonuses. “Don’t Know How To Stop” rocks with an increasingly tempo which explodes on the chorus. It’s a modern rock tune but somehow structurally recalls the ’90s good sonic-rock.
“Private Parts” features James Michael of Sixx:A.M. sharing the vocals on these dark lyrics, but musically is infectious with its shouting chorus.
The last one, “Hate It When You See Me Cry”, has a commercial approach, definitively with eighties nuances and a melodic vocalization.

“The Strange Case Of…“ finds Halestorm taking risks, diversifying its signature, and expanding its sonic palette.
While Mz. Hyde’s stunning vocal prowess often overshadows the rest of the band, it’s important to note how impressive the boys are. Guitarist Joe Hottinger plays with explosiveness, passion and a keen ear for melody and tasty riffage. Bassist Josh Smith remains the band’s quietest member, but his grooves are the glue binding Halestorm‘s sonic havoc. Lastly is younger brother, Arejay, who does with a drumstick what his sibling does with a microphone.
“The Strange Case Of…“ is further proof of Halestorm immense future – a band with a modern sound but not afraid to write and perform songs where the melody is the rule – and perfectly depicts their musical talent and passion.

01 – Love Bites (So Do I)
02 – Mz. Hyde
03 – I Miss The Misery
04 – Freak Like Me
05 – Beautiful With You
06 – In Your Room
07 – Break In
08 – Rock Show
09 – Daughters Of Darkness
10 – You Call Me a Bitch Like It’s a Bad Thing
11 – American Boys
12 – Here’s To Us
13 – Don’t Know How To Stop (Bonus Track)
14 – Private Parts [feat. James Michael Of Sixx:A.M.] (Bonus Track)
15 – Hate It When You See Me Cry (Bonus Track)

Lzzy Hale – vocals, guitar, keyboards
Arejay Hale – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Joe Hottinger – guitar, backing vocals
Josh Smith – bass, backing vocals

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www.amazon.com/The-Strange-Case-Of-Halestorm/dp/B007CMD5AQ