Customer Reviews

III

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

 

 

Swedish melodic rockers House of Shakira released their third album (appropriately titled III) in 2000. I'm not a huge fan of this band, but I liked what I heard on the Best of 2 compilation enough to give this album a try.

House of Shakira seemed to refine their sound considerably on this album. It's the same kind of Journey-inspired melodic rock they always played, but it just sounds more polished and professional on this album. Andreas Eklund also seems to be more comfortable singing in English, which helps a lot. His progress reminds me of Goran Edman's growth between the bands Glory and Street Talk. There are a few songs on III where Eklund sounds a bit like Tyketto frontman Danny Vaughn, which is definitely a point in his favor.

It's still not as memorable as the average Fair Warning or Gotthard album, but House of Shakira took a big step forward with III. I'm glad I picked it up, and can see most melodic rock fans enjoying it as well.

I already said it in my review of Best Of Two, earlier this year: "I'm really curious which direction the band will take on III. If it's anything near the style of the first two bonustracks that album might end up really high in my list this year." Well, the album has become a lot more varied than only songs in the vein of Susan and You Touched Me, but that the album will end up high in my yearlist is for sure. The band surpasses itself on all levels with this new album. Let me warn you, it's an album that needs a few spins. The first few times I didn't really know what to make of it. Harder songs like Alien that don't get to you that easy are mixed with hookfilled melodic gems like In Your Head and Nearly Orgasmic (what a great song!) that stick in you brain right after the first time you hear them. Which makes it a bit of a confusing album at first, as you don't know if the songs that don't stick immediately are bad songs or just need some growing. After a spin or ten you'll know, because then the less accessible songs stick in you head as well and then all you'll have to do is enjoy. Something I didn't quite like about the first two albums were the worldmusic influences. These are still present on III but not as dominant as on the first two albums. Recently I put the album in the CD player and put it on repeat, which is something I often do while reviewing an album. It has been on for about the whole day without getting boring for even one sec. Those are the kind of album's I'm waiting for, lazy as I am... (LOL) The production leaves nothing to wish for either, so I think we can state that House Of Shakira has reached the top in AOR/Melodic Rock. Now let's hope they'll keep that same level for a long time...

This editorial review for the band House of Shakira does not match the customer review, for the Columbian singer Shakira. This could be confusing to customers.

this is ok,but does'nt have those hard edge hooks.the song writing seems
to be tiresome and nothing original about this.If you want great rock
check out aftermath-natural destruction,chase-in pursuit,you'll love those!!.

House of Shakila is a Swedish hard rock group which keeps the legacy of great rock of 70s and 80s. At first listen it sounded like the combination of Queen and Styx. With more listens subliminal african beat allure shows. The band is no doubt top performer of melodic rock.

III is their third album. My first pick from this album is Rainbows ans Butterflies because it well represents who they are. And most fit for the first single. It starts like Styx reminding me a bit of Babe and develops like Survivor with vocal sounding like the combination of Dennis De Young and Freddie Mercury. But with careful listen the faint but irresistible African drum beat will sure to overgrow feeling like healing music. Similar things can be said about In Your Head, Van Halen like pop hard rock. In the middle of IYH you will hear african folk chorus. Time That Passed is another great track my third favorites. The band leader used to produce African beat music. In this album such unique sound is hidden but you may get this naturally without ever noticing this.

To sum up, this is great return of 80s music and lots more. Recommended for wide range of classic rock fans.

It is an outstanding masterpiece which might blow off even Journey. Unspoken is Queen styled pop rock and In Your Head reminds me of Van Halen. Who the hell they are? Details soon to come.

Just want to let fans of Columbian star Shakira know that she
has nothing to do with Swede band House of Shakira. Enjoy both,
but don't mistake one for the other.

I would think it would be rather evident that House of Shakira (Swedish AOR band) and Shakira (Colombian singer) are NOT the same. As for the review of Shakira-is sounding like Alanis Morissette and Jewel necessarily a good thing?

This album is a fantastic form of music. Shakira is between Alanis Moreset, and Jewel. Shakira has a great beat, in spanish, and she has a great solid voice.