FIRST SIGNAL – One Step Over The Line [Japan Edition +1] (2016)

Harry Hess is best known as the singer of Harem Scarem, but he has also released a couple of excellent solo albums and got his start with the band Blind Vengeance. In 2010, when it looked like Harem Scarem was done, Hess was approached by Frontier Records with some melodic songs in the same vein as earlier Scarem records and Harry jumped on board. What transpired was the s/t debut album of FIRST SIGNAL.
The album, of course, was fantastic. A couple of years later and Hess was back in full (mood) swing with his old bandmates in Harem Scarem, so it looked like perhaps First Signal was going to be a one shot deal.
However, Hess had written some songs with others and decided that First Signal deserved another release, the fresh “One Step Over the Line” appeared in Japan with an exclusive bonus track.

“One Step Over the Line” delivers the same top notch melodic music that First Signal did before.
Very much rooted in that same style as his primary band, yet First Signal is geared more towards the melodic aspect than a harder rocking sound, which suits Harry’s voice perfectly. I’m not going to beat the same dead horse I have for years. The fact that this man, and any of the music he has helped create, isn’t known as commonly as any of the Top 40 crap is beyond me.
Suffice it to say with amazing songs like “Broken,” “Love Run Free,” “Minute Of Your Time,” and “Pedestal” First Signal deliver a tight, melodic powerhouse of an album.

I have preached the amazing talents of Harry Hess for years. I doubt I will ever stop. Such capable musicians tend to have the abilities to release top notch material on a regular basis. Period.
First Signal’s sophomore release is so good that if Harem Scaren was to stop right now, Harry Hess would still have the perfect vehicle to carry on his talents. Having said that, I love having both of these bands around because they both serve different purposes.

First Signal’s “One Step Over The Line” is brilliant, one of the albums of the year for sure, and needs to be in your collection.

01 – Love Run Free
02 – Love Gets Through
03 – Still Pretending
04 – Broken
05 – Kharma
06 – Minute of Your Time
07 – She is Getting Away
08 – December Rain
09 – Weigh Me In
10 – Pedestal
11 – One Step Over the Line
12 – Weigh Me In (Acoustic) [Japan Bonus Track]

Harry Hess – Lead and backing vocals
Michael Palace – guitars and bass
Daniel Flores – keyboards and drums
additional musicians:
Francesco Marras (solo on 2, 7)
Backing vocals: Darren James Smith, Harry Hess, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Nigel Bailey, Daniel Flores, Rolf Pilotti, Angelica Rylin

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11287
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