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HOUSTON
II

Livewire / Cargo (2013)
Rating: 6.5/10

Houston are a Swedish melodic rock band consisting of three members – vocalist Hank Erix, drummer Freddie Allen and keyboardist Ricky Delin – although they are accompanied by a whole host of musicians for this, as the title suggests, their second full-length opus.

As with 2010’s self-titled debut, the trio have again enlisted the talents of guitarist Tommy Denander, who is known for working with such greats as Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and even Westlife!

II also showcases the talents of bassist Soufian Ma’aoui, guitarist / keyboardist Calle Hammer and a handful of backing vocalists. The result of this assembly being a glorious pop-tinged melodic rock experience that will no doubt bring in new fans as well as those oldies who grew up on a staple diet of Boston, Toto, Journey, Survivor etc.

The album opens with the sweet strains of ‘Glory’, which features some superb guitar work that evokes images of late night American radio, especially with those sparkling keys. My only quibble with this track is the fact it’s overlong, and its solo seems to drag on forever until the fade-out, but this is more than made up for with the honeyed sound of ‘I’m Coming Home’ and the cheery ‘Return My Heart’.

Hank Erix doesn’t boast the most remarkable voice, but his soulful pipes suit the melodies on offer, although there is an element of cheese in the rather swingin’ melody of ‘Talk To Me’ and pompous ‘Back To The Summer Of Love’, which sounds like it was lifted off some 1980s movie soundtrack.

Even so, there are some really memorable tunes available here, although this is the sort of AOR that never once raises its weight above a Bryan Adams, middle of the road grumble. The keyboards can be a tad cosmic at times (‘24 Hours’) but this is clearly the feel they are going for and with ‘On The Radio’ you’ll no doubt feel transported back to the 80s.

I can put up with this stuff in small doses – this is Sunday afternoon music that is completely harmless and bereft of punch. But how can one not react in a positive manner to the joyous ‘Just Friends’, which features Minnah Karlsson on vocals, and with all due respect to Hank, she does a better job at injecting a dose of power into proceedings.

II can be rather slushy at times, but it is an album that does exactly what it says on the tin – from the Boston-inspired logo to those keyboard sprinkles – and all I can say is that Houston have achieved what they originally set out to. It’s as middle of the road as those white lines but there’s nary a speck of rain in sight.

Neil Arnold

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