Customer Reviews

Harem Scarem

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Harem Scarem's extensive discography runs the gamut from this fantastic Journey-inspired AOR gem to darker, riff heavy hard rock, all the way to sunny power pop and Queen inspired balladry. Approximately 15 years and 11 albums have passed since they burst onto the Canadian scene with this album, and despite the fact that they never *quite* broke through to acheive mainstream success, their entire discography is one of the best in the melodic rock genre. Some melodic fans go as far to say that it's impossible for songwriters Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance to write a bad song, and this album is certainly 10/10 in that department. "Something To Say" is worth the admission price alone - a stripped back, classically-inspired ballad featuring amazing harmony vocals and great acoustic playing (no synths, drums, etc.) shows what a diverse and inimitable band this is. Every track is hooky and bursting with melody, plus musicians can get down with the great arrangements and smoking Nuno Bettencourt-styled solos. Fans of Journey, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, and Sammy-era Van Halen will really dig this record, but all melodic fans owe it to themselves to check out this gem.

Best Tracks:
"Hard To Love" - The first of ten great tracks, this song features a moody verse and a grand slam of a chorus. Miles above your typical 1991 pop metal.
"Distant Memory" - A little slower but still upbeat and a great sing-along track.
"Honestly" - Another ballad that remains in Harem's live set today, this one should have been a smash. Piano driven with the obligatory arena guitar solo, Harry Hess's vocals take this to the next level.
"How Long" - The recording on this track always seemed a bit thin, but there's no denying that awesome chorus.
"Something To Say" - I raved about this gorgeous ballad already, but I can add to that by saying I've listened to it three times in a row on many occasions. The lyrics on this CD don't come close to Harem's later albums, but this is authentically mature and emotional. A++++++++++++++++++++.

The negative points concerning this release are obvious the first time you play it. It's extremely "lite metal", but the biggest difference between this and any other lite metal albums (think Firehouse's debut, or bands like Sheriff or Winger) is that there are better hooks, and Harem Scarem doesn't try to sound heavy when they don't need to be. In other words they seem to generally enjoy and like the music they are making on this CD.

With that said, this is a very strong debut, the most consist album they have ever released. While thier albums after this point are heavier, they seem to be less catchy/interesting, with the exception of WEIGHT OF THE WORLD but you can read my review of that album there. But really if you're only a casual fan like myself this is the only CD you will need, and in compiling a greatest hits album, you are most likely to find it takes most of its tracks form this album.

The heaviest track on here has to be the opener, and its a great one, "Hard To Love". The next track slows you down a bit when you start off fast but it kicks back up on "With A Little Love" and after that you get "Honestly" this is an absolute beautiful ballad that I believe had some time on the radio, the piano intro shows great musical depth from the band and it really takes you deep inside the song itself and makes it perfect, and really, it pretty much is. "Love Reaction" has a great melody and brings the album's pace up a bit again. The first half of this album leaves the listener with a very up and down feeling, like a rollercoaster, which can make this half hard to listen to, depending on your mood. This album should have been called MOOD SWINGS...

The next half starts off great with the best song on the album, "Slowly Slipping Away" and continues to keep the pace up through "Don't Give Your Heart Away" which starts of slow then really kicks in, and it has to be my second favourite on the album. The last track "Something to Say" doesn't really capture my attention, its a little too subdued and slow for me, and I can't even remember the last time I played that track the whole way through.

This has to be considered thier most consistant album and a great way any band should start. Pick it up, you can't call this album metal by any means but it is a great chunk of melodic rock. Enjoy! 9/10

It's a shame that Harem Scarem hasn't hit big in the U.S. Looking back at the Heavy Metal sounds of the early 90's, they're actually better than most U.S. bands of the era. And Peter Lesperance should be ranked up there with the guitar gods. If you like slow songs from rock bands, then you'll enjoy "Honestly" and "Something to Say." Not a real kick-@$$ album compared to today's standards, but enjoyable nonetheless.

This band should have become huge, but the timing wasn't right. This amazing debut album was released 1991, when metal and melodic hard rock were being overrun by modern rock and grunge. For sure it is a classic album from a classic band in melodic rock circles.

The melodies and hooks in this album are instaneously memorable. "Hard To Love" kicks things off with a perfect melodic anthemic rocker. I have heard this was a minor hit, but I personally don't remember hearing it on rock radio. "Distant Memory" is a mid-tempo anthem with a very pretty chorus. At track 4, "Honestly" is the first ballad of the album, and while it is pretty standard fare for this genre of rock music, it sounds pretty and melodic. It should be noted that the only other true ballad in the album is the beautiful last track "Something To Say", which is more unique with its gorgeous mellow guitar introduction that carries into a beautifully sung song.

In between are a bunch of wonderful-sounding melodic rock tracks with a perfect blend of electric guitar, keyboards, and stunning melodic vocals. It's hard to pick favorites besides the ones mentioned above, but "Love Reaction", "All Over Again", and "How Long" are great examples of the melodic highlights that dominate this album.

This band's second album (1993's "Mood Swings") is actually more rocking and a little better than this one, but this is still exceptional. Certainly an amazing debut that deserved more mainstream noteriety. For melodic rock fans, I cannot recommend this band and this album enough.

If you like rock this band is vrey talanted! From great guitar balads to kicking licks, this album is the start of long comming real rock!

If you like to 'RAISE YOUR HANDS' as Bon Jovi once put it - get ready to love Harem Scarems debut CD

'Hard To Love' was just something else when I first heard it. It is still as refreshing as it was when I first heard it as is 'Distant Memory'.

I could rave on about this CD but Id rather you gave it some consideration.

Other tracks to savour are 'Love Reaction' and 'Honestly'.

If you love soft rock at its best then DON'T DELAY -BUY TODAY!

80's melodic rock done very well. These guys were just a little late getting on the scene in the late 80's or they would have been huge. They crush bands like Bon Jovi, Poison, and a long list of other very successful bands of that era. Great guitarist in Pete Lesperence with smart song writing and strong backing vocals. Very easy to like. Their second effort, Mood Swings, is as good as anything in your collection. You really should buy both. You won't be sorry.

This may be one of the best debut's in AOR history. All the songs could be singles and the musicianship is perfect. If their was an AOR CD Hall of Fame this CD would be on the most sacred floor with bands like Journey, Survivor, Foreigner and Bad Company. Believe me this cd will impress you and I have 100's of AOR CD's. I still play this CD all the time and never get tired of it. Don't Miss this classic.

I heard many of these songs on the Degrassi HIgh School's Out DVD and was amazed by how catchy the songs were. I looked at the credits and saw Harem Scarem and thought wtf?? I then downloaded about 4 songs and boy how catchy were the songs and I immediately brought this album.
I gotta say there are no bad songs on the album and although they were never that successful on the mainstream charts but how does that prove that you are great? Heaps of bands aren't mainstream but are in fact brilliant. This is an example of what I am talking about.
Catchy hooks, catchy chorouses that make you wanna sing along to and of course the guitars. Nothing complicated so it sounds way too technical and not too simple so it becomes boring and bland.

Anyways a lot of the songs I was listening to actually related a lot to the Degrassi High School's Out issues.

Harem Scarem is one of those very few bands that can do no wrong. Every album is beautifully written, performed and produced. This is definitely one of their best. It contains a whole bunch of catchy tunes that you'll be singing to forever. "Hard to Love" and "With a Little Love" are outstanding songs. This will suit anyone who likes bands such as Def Leppard, Queen, and Extreme. Buy it, you won't regret it!