ow I realise I’ve mentioned this before, but when I interviewed Rock Sugar I asked them about the five albums they couldn’t live without. Singer Jess Harnell included an album called “Mood Swings” by Harem Scarem – and he said that he thought they were the band that should have been Bon Jovi. I checked it out and … he was right. The hooks, melodies and voice really were that good! So, when they reconvened afin 2013 (after having split up for 6 years), the Harem Scarem gang re-recorded the songs (and added a couple more) as “Mood Swings II” and managed to improve on what some considered their perfect album.
Buoyed by this and the support from fans old and new, the newly refocused Harem Scarem began work on their thirteenth album, following the very successful Pledgemusic funding model. The result of this work is now available via those wonderful chaps at Frontiers – and what a stunner it is.
Melody, harmony, hard(ish) guitar – all far and away better than anything those afore mentioned New Jersey residents have produced in MANY years. Songs like “All I Need” blend some of those much loved 1980s arrangment tricks but brought bang up to date with a very current sound. Very addictive guitar riffs, choruses from heaven with big, over the top and hooks. A definite and true return to the sound that put Harem Scarem on the map over 20 years ago.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqFJsOneTGc]“It’s been 6 years since our last studio album and we’re feeling rejuvenated and couldn’t be more excited about the new tunes!” tells singer Harry Hess and with juices of inspiration flowing it could not have been easier to give birth to a strong musical statement such as “Thirteen”.
With 12 top 40 hits around the world and with sales well over a million records in 43 countries, 2015 will see the Harem Scarem touring the world in support of their 13th studio album “Thirteen“!
Track Listing:
Garden of Eden
Live It
Early Warning Signs
The Midnight Hours
Whatever It Takes
Saints and Sinners
All I Need
Troubled Times
Never Say Never
Stardust
Garden of Eden (Acoustic Version – bonus track)
HAREM SCAREM are:
Harry Hess: Lead and backup Vocals/Keys
Pete Lesperance: Guitars/Bass/Keys
Creighton Doane: Drums
Darren Smith: Backup Vocals
“Thirteen” is available now on Frontiers Records
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