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HAREM SCAREM
BIG BANG THEORY
WEA CANADA 2 24208
70%
Harem Scarem's fifth album "Big Bang Theory" has certainly stirred
up a lot of controversy. From the musical changes to the running time, to the
mercenary attitude of the record company "BBT" looks set to become
Harem's most controversial record to date. The major fuck up is the way the
track listing has been confusingly chopped and changed for Japanese and Canadian
markets. HS are very close to pissing off a very large percentage of their fan.
Onto the music… Harem Scarem appear to be trying to find a NEW direction
for the late 90s, after treading water on the (for them) relatively conservative
"Believe/Karma Cleansing" album. I think HS have found a way of
incorporating their modern influences (where they want to go) with their
AOR/melodic rock roots (where a lot of fans want them to go) although judging by
the debate on the internet many fans may disagree with me. On "B/KC" I
think the band were uncertain about how to move forward (as they had done with
each of the previous 3 albums) the result being a mix of "Voice Of Reason"
style numbers, revamped "old" songs and attempts at finding a new
footing. But despite its flaws I still though "B/KC" was better than
most other AOR albums released last year. But it was not HS at there best. The
songs on "BBT" could be done in a total AOR way but they could also be
done in a VOR style. I really think they have added a new energy to their sound,
a new rawer less overblown sound. Perfect for the live environment. I think
Darren's drumming has got much looser and really powers the songs along rather
than sometimes just plodding along. "Turn Around" - the groove and
general vibe on this one made me think of the Wildhearts, it's just the sort of
melody and arrangement that Ginger would have written. Modern but very much HS.
"Wasted Time" - upbeat rocker driven along by an excellent rhythm
section. This one emphasises the rawer sound that was talked about. I can just
imagine this one live. They keep it melodic (great hook) and powerful and again
very contemporary. My favourite track. "So Blind" - fast paced rocker.
I can understand the Foo Fighters reference that the band mentioned. It features
a very powerful riff throughout which I can just imagine Dave Grohl thrashing
away at. Once again though, HS stamp their own identity into the song. "Without
You" - mid paced number to slow things down a bit. Vaguely like "I
Won't Be There" but with some nice little different touches here and there.
"Climb The Gate" - mid paced to rocky number. Some cool guitar work
from Pete on this one. Very melodic but the simple arrangement adds to the
power. "What I Do" is totally different to anything I've heard from HS
hard to describe but a grower. "Sometimes I Wish" - upbeat, but with a
kind of a dark edge during the verse, giving a VOR sound. Interesting sounding
solo from Pete. "Lying" - heavy riffs from Pete, great melody and hook
from Harry, Pete's soloing is a bit different as well. "In My State Of Mind"
- standard HS ballad, this time with Harry at the piano. Nothing special and
nothing they haven't done before and better. HS have taken the energy of bands
like Foo Fighters/Wildhearts and given their own melodic rock sound a damn good
slapping. If you only like the debut or "Mood Swings" approach with
caution, for the more open-minded "Big Bang Theory" is HS back on
track and moving forward once again.
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