TREAT – Organized Crime [Japan HR/HM 1000 Vol.2 reissue series] (2020) *EXCLUSIVE*

A couple years ago 0dayrox featured in exclusive a lot of albums from the Universal Music Japan campaign ‘HR/HM 1000‘, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal long time out of print records from their catalog at the price of 1000 Yen = about 10,5 USD.
Now 2020 the label started the “HR/HM 1000 Vol.2 reissue series“, including some awesome titles you need to own in a superior Japanese CD press for only 10 bucks.
And now we have here another number from this fresh 2020 series: Swedes’ TREAT 4th album “Organized Crime” (1989), a terrific collection of songs were the band mix their classic Scandinavian Melodic Rock roots with all the shine n’ catchiness of ’80s American AOR. Sound quality kills…

With new members Patrick Applegren on keyboards and Joe Larsson on bass, Treat signed to Vertigo for next effort ‘Organized Crime’ with the aim to the American public.
Treat had also changed to new management based out of Germany. But promises about new deals and contracts and increased exposure in the US market all came to nothing.

They’ve here mixed the glossy AOR of previous album ‘Dreamhunter’ with an Americanized mainstream rock 1988-89 approach, and headed off in a direction led by Winger and alike. This is not a 100% swap-over, but it is apparent in places.
This is certainly the case on opener ‘Ready For The Taking’. It just smells of Winger, some Autograph.

As you can tell by the song-title, ‘Party All Over’ is that simple, party anthem with lots of harmony vocals in the chorus mix, then the Swedes continue their love affair with all things American, with ‘Keep Your Hands To Yourself’ on a bluesy, polished hard rock style that was all over the airwaves in the US during 1989 to 1991.
‘Walk Away’ continues in this direction too, like a Swedish version of Tangier.

Without doubt, the album’s top moment is the superb ‘Conspiracy’. I’ve played this song often over the years, usually at the expense of the remainder of this album, so good that it is. It’s killer tune like on their previous years, similar to Europe too.
‘Mr. Heartache’ sounds very similar to ‘Dancin’ On The Edge’ from their previous album ‘Dreamhunter’, more polished and with heavier guitars.

‘Gimme One More Night’ is the power-ballad ready for radio, with anthem credentials and shout-outs on the chorus. They also decided to do another version of their 1985 song ‘Get You On The Run’. Quite why I’m sure, but I’ll guess it was a business decision.

‘Home Is Where Your Heart Is’ is another great sing-along track that could’ve slotted in quite nicely on ‘Dreamhunter’. ‘Fatal Smile’ rocks with melody, giving a suitable nod and wink in the direction of German melodic rock bands like Roko and Craaft.
The Winger-like sonic treatment continue on the closer ‘Hunger’, a favorite of mine – in fact this album in its entirety is a complete fav.

Despite a headlining tour to Japan during early 1990, nothing really materialized for Treat, the band’s management seemingly unable (unwilling more likely) to do constructive work on their behalf.
The departure of Robert Ernlund was nearly the final straw, though guitarist Anders Wikstrom hung in for a couple of more years, but to no avail, finally calling it a day in early 1993.

As we know, the band did reform in the noughties, and are now one of Frontiers Music. The world moves in very strange ways so it would seem.
This album hasn’t seen much reissue action over the years. A couple of Japanese releases during the 90s, but that’s about it. So great news to see “Organized Crime” available again.
Perhaps not the strongest Treat album in terms of songwriting, but make no mistake, it’s the best produced Treat album ever – that huge 1989 sound I die for.
A MUST HAVE in your collection.
Only at 0dayrox

ＳＯＮＹ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ ～ 【UICY-79411】
Ｈ Ｒ / Ｈ Ｍ １０００ Ｖｏｌ. ２ ＳＥＲＩＥＳ

01 – Ready For The Taking
02 – Party All Over
03 – Keep Your Hands To Yourself
04 – Stay Away
05 – Conspiracy
06 – Mr. Heartache
07 – Gimme One More Night
08 – Get You On The Run
09 – Home Is Where Your Heart Is
10 – Fatal Smile
11 – Hunger

Robert Ernlund – lead vocals
Anders Wikstrom – guitars, backing vocals
Joe Larson – bass, backing vocals
Patrick Appelgren – keyboards, backing vocals
Jamie Borger – drums, backing vocals

BUY IT
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-79412