HOUSTON – Relaunch II (2014)
The day has come; Swedish AOR purists HOUSTON are back are releasing their brand new studio album “Relaunch II” today, September 8, 2014.
Originally a duo consisting of Hank Erix (Lead vocals) and Ricky Delin (Keyboards, Backing vocals), Houston has gone through some changes, now teamed up as a ‘real band’ with 6 members and sounding better than ever.
Houston has previously offered a lovely album with covers of more or less obscure AOR songs titled Relaunch. Now, “Relaunch II” features fresh covers as well, but also brand new songs written by themselves.
The six covers are from past and present artists including John Farnham (Justice For One), John O’Banion (Love Is Blind), One Republic (Counting Stars), Rick Springfield (Souls), Florida Georgia Line (Cruise), Lady Gaga (Do What You Want).
Now let’s top right there. Lady Gaga? Seriously? Don’t worry, all these versions gets a piece of Houston’s magic, and work wonderfully. Houston pulls them off, every song. Actually, excepting maybe the Lady Gaga cut (more funky I’d say), their version of the rest of the tracks is very faithful with the typical Houston pristine AOR treatment.
I love “Justice For One”, but without a doubt the gem here is “Love Is Blind”. This terrific AOR song composed by Richie Zito was made popular by westcoast genius John O’Banion, but also recorded by Uriah Heep later in a no less fantastic version. I think Houston’s take on the song is even better.
For the four originals, Houston basically taps the classic AOR Melodic Rock vein, possibly giving the tradition more of a modern twist.
The single “Our Love” is a winner, a lovable breezy AOR tune featuring guests from Reckless love, Crazy Lixx, Casablanca & Reach.
“Standing On The Moon” is suave and melodious, but perhaps the more elaborated, the more juicy of the new Houston originals is “Downtown”, which transports you to the glory days of the great L.A. westcoast scene.
On “Relaunch II” Houston again links back and present with excellent results.
I love these guys, now sounding tight as never before, as a ‘real band’ plenty of emotion and driving force.
This is pure AOR, the way we like it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
01. Justice For One (Originally by John Farnham)
02. Love Is Blind (Originally by John O’Banion)
03. Counting Stars * (Originally by One Republic)
04. Souls (Originally by Rick Springfield)
05. Don’t Look Back (Brand new from Houston)
06. Cruise (Originally by Florida Georgia Line)
07. Do What You Want ** (Originally by Lady Gaga)
08. Our Love (Brand new from Houston)
09. Downtown (Brand new from Houston)
10. Standing On The Moon (Brand new from Houston)
* Duet with Victor Lundberg
** Duet with Lizette Von Panajott
Hank Erix (Lead vocals)
Ricky Delin (Keyboards, Backing vocals)
Soufian Ma’Aoui (Bass)
Calle Hammar (Guitars, Backing vocals)
Victor Lundberg (Keyboards, Backing vocals)
Oscar Lundström (Drums)
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/Relaunch-II-Houston/dp/B00LH1952K
