This is one of my most awaited
releases this year. I've been a big, big
fan of this amazing melodic rock band
for many years. I have to tribute Gene
Simmons (Simmons Records) for taking
this band under his big black wings in
the end of the 80's and helped them to
release their eponymous debut album in
1988. He recruited the strong rock voice
of James Christian and installed him in
the front row. James is nowadays the
foundation and the soul of House Of
Lords and he seems to be in very good
shape. His strong solo album 'Lay It All
On Me' was released in 2013 and now it's
time for another House Of Lords
album!
'Precious Metal' is House of Lords ninth
studio album and is the follow up of the
superb album 'Big Money' from 2011.
'Precious Metal' was recorded and
produced by James Christian and it has a
clear, flawless sound-picture (as
usual). The album is a melodic hard rock
cheese-cake with a sugar sweet taste.
Twelve smooth candy pieces of solid hard
rock work. I'm not surprised really,
because I've never been disappointed when
I listen to Christian, Bell, McCarville
and Zampa's disc productions. House of
Lords stands for a high quality
and 'Precious Metal' is another golden
disc with a sound that is more in a
"back to the basic" rock n roll. I love
every minute of the album and this is
80's hard rock when it's the best.
After several spins of 'Precious
Metal' with mixed tempos and different
characters in the songs turn my
listening into pure pleasure, but the
disc is also a growing character from
that was a darn good album has now turned into a monster album.
The production is flawless and just right
balanced in an appealing way, and the
performance is without unnecessary
oddities and is well performed. James
Christian sings probably better than
ever and Jimi Bell plays guitar with
heavy, but melodic riffs throughout the
album.
The opening track "Battle"
appearing from their early heydays and
could have been a track that was left
over from that time. Song number two 'I'm
Breaking Free' is a groovy heavy metal
song with a mid-tempo with an already
for me classical chorus.
Subsequent 'Epic' is first-class
hard rock with one of the better tracks
going at a rapid pace. The tempo is
turning down a little, at first in the
lovely 'Live Every Day (Like It's the
Last)', which in its unadorned mid-tempo
pace gives sufficient enjoyment too, then
to be touched by the beautiful and very
catchy song 'Permission To Die'.
The title track is a rousing and
powerful rock ballad, which clearly
belongs to James voice, which is among
the largest in the industry, nothing other
than a beautiful track. After the last
notes concerning ebbed in the previous
track so begins the disc's best song
'Swimmin' With the Sharks' a dazzling
song and an arena rock favourite song.
'Raw' is the weakest track on the album,
but far from bad. 'Enemy Of Mine' is a
AOR power ballad that crushes any doubts
that the disc would now drop in quality
towards the end. This could possibly be
a future House Of Lords classic and with
the shining voice of Robin Beck as
guest. A charming and very beautiful
song!!
'Action' gives you what the
title suggests, stylish song with
stylish melodies in all parties. The
next song 'Turn Back the Tide' is a
witty song, but with dimmed and
emotional melodies that changes into a
smoking rock n roll song. The disc is
rounded off with 'You Might Just Saved
My Life', which is a glorious ending of
an album that might not have saved my
life, but as in all cases saved my needs
for outstanding songs filled with
first-class melodies, nicely delivered
with a touch of late 80's goodies. It
doesn't feels like you can do this
summation often nowadays. I'm giving the
gold medal to the lords of the house.
(I saw his lovely wife Robin Beck
together with some awesome rock legends
with James Christian as a choir
member?!, last autumn in cold and snowy
Lycksele. I waited all night long to see
him grab the microphone and hear him
sing by himself, but in vain). I will have the
pleasure to once again see Robin Beck and it will be
at the Sweden Rock Festival in June, where all
members of House of Lords will be with
her on stage (goes the rumors).
On Väsby Rock Festival in July, the
House of Lords themselves will appear and
my tickets are already bought!
A given album for my 'best album of 2014
list'!
Lineup:
James
Christian – vocals
Jimi Bell – guitars
BJ Zampa – drums
Chris McCarvill - bass
