Customer Reviews

Staying Power

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I?m a Hollies fan for ever and ever. I?m very happy with the Hollies come back. The new album "Staying Power" is great. The songs are goods like the sound but my complaints is that "Staying Power" has little Rock and Roll and no songs Hollies owns. Why? The 2006 Hollies line-up is Tony Hicks - the Peter Pan of the Rock - (lead guitar and vocals), Bobby Elliott (formidable drummer) both Hollies originals members, Peter Howarth (great lead vocals similar Allan Clarke voice), Ray Stiles(bass, vocals and ex-"MUD"), Steve Lauri (Guitar & vocals) and Ian Parker (keyboards & vocals). Peter Howarth is excellent singer but I miss Allan Clarke (the classical voice of THE HOLLIES). The album has goods songs: "HOPE" (the most commercial), "SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL" (excellent ballad and new single in England), "PROVE ME WRONG" (maybe the best for me), "BREAK ME" (the most rocker), "SUSPENDED ANIMATION" (experimental track), "TOUCH ME" (the come back to The Hollies rocker sound from the seventies), "EMOTIONS" (pretty good ballad with Hollies harmony vocals), "WEAKNESS" (the most AOR track), "YESTERDAY?S GONE" (formidable Tony Hicks riff guitar in the middle of the song with "I CAN?T LET GO" homage) and the last track "LET LOVE PASS" (wonderful ballad full Hollies harmony vocals). "STAYING POWER" is a good coming back. I wait the next album sooner with more greats songs (owns) and more Rock and Roll similar "LONG COOL WOMAN IN A BLACK DRESS", "LOOK OUT JOHNNY (THERE?S A MONKEY ON YOUR BACK)" or "THAT?LL BE THE DAY". THE HOLLIES: a great band.

The Hollies' first album since 1983's "What Goes Around" marks the debut of new lead singer Peter Howarth and new Rhythm guitarist/harmony singer Steve Lauri,who join original members Tony Hicks(lead guitar,vocals) & drummer Bobby Elliott(yes,I know that he didn't join until the 3rd UK single,but he is essentially an original member),and long-time(25 year) members Ray Stiles(bass) & Ian Parker(keyboards).Together,they create an uncompromisingly modern,but rocking,high tech sound,albeit one that is much more guitar-driven than the mushy synth-pop of "What Goes Around".Occasionally,Bobby Elliott is replaced by a drum machine or percussion samples,but not to the extent that he was on "What Goes Around".The new lead vocalist is somewhat higher pitched than Original(now retired) singer Allan Clarke,though when singing in the lower part of his range,Howarth is timbraly similar to Clarke(Those that lament the absence of the now 68 year old Clarke should be made aware that Clarke's voice,fried by old age and smoking wouldn't be able to cut it today).The songs range from good to excellent,and I particularly like the opening song "Hope"(why it wasn't selected as a single is known only to EMI).But my complaints are these:there is no original songwriting.The inclusion of some Tony Hicks songs(or even an occasional lead vocal from him) would have helped to maintain a traditional "Hollies" flavor.In truth,the album doesn't sound much like the Hollies,and the regular Hollies harmony vocal sound is only occasionally present(on "Emotion" & "Touch Me").One song needlessly processes Peter Howarth's voice through a vocoder,a dated and uneccessary touch.He's got a great voice,so why disguise it? Also,this EMI/UK CD uses a copy protection process,though it should be explained that EMI/UK's copy protection was previously only intended to stop copying on computers,that this disc is encoded to stop copying to non-computer digital recorders(I.E. portable or hifi component Minidisc,DAT or CD-R recorder equiped with Serial Copy Management system).This type of copy protection would be blatantly illegal in the U.S.A.,but Britain has no legal protections for consumer recording rights.In order to copy this CD to Minidisc or DAT,you must first create an scms-free CD-R disc on a professional audio CD-R recorder;a machine which ignores SCMS and records without SCMS.The data on this CD has been manipulated so that when you try to copy to an SCMS-equiped consumer audio digital recorder,this EMI CD itself appears to be a copy,and then SCMS blocks a recording.This is a unethical abuse of copy protection.And one more thing,the Japanese pressing adds a bonus track.I can't comment on that song since I haven't heard it.

I was hoping this would be a great comeback CD, but it fails to impress me.

While there are many strong songs here this album doesn't quite sound like classic Hollies. Peter Howarth has a pleasant and strong voice, but just can't match Allan Clarke's distinctiveness that made the Hollies harmonies soar to the sky. Without Clarke the Hollies wind up sounding like any other Adult Contemporary pop band. (I'm reminded of the Little River Band or America, sorry)

Like so many of the Hollies recordings since 1983's "What Goes Around" the biggest problem is everything is smothered in bland "cheesy" keyboard arrangements and programming. Some of the keyboard sounds are very dated sounding. I doubt anytime during this recording the Hollies were playing in the same room together. During the 60's and 70's The Hollies were a guitar based group first that recorded most of their 60's and 70's recordings "live" in the studio with little overdubbing.

Compared to their older albums "Staying Power" doesn't rock very hard either and plays it too radio-friendly safe. The songs have nice hooks but wind up sounding too generic and bland. I heard the band is working on a new album soon, so I hope they crank up the guitars and really work on making the vocals sounding close to classic Clarke-Hicks-Nash/Sylvester for next time.

I suggest checking out the sound samples here before purchasing. That the CD also has copyright protection to keep you from copying it on your PC doesn't help my opinion either, though I doubt the Hollies had any say on that. Hold down your shift key when putting the CD in to keep it from auto-booting the protecting program, and then "rip" it to Mp3's.

I've been a Hollies fan for 40 years, ever since I first heard "I'm Alive" when I was 15. I have everything they've recorded, and so I had to buy this CD too once the price fell to a reasonable level. I really like it, even though Alan, Graham, and Terry aren't on it. It's very well recorded, with great material, and beautiful singing, thus carrying on the Hollies tradition.

I've played it on my car CD system and my wife, twice, said how much she like it. She didn't always say that about the other albums!

What would you think if, say, Ringo and Paul got together and recorded under the "Beatles" moniker? It wouldn't be possible because no one in their right mind would accept Ringo and Paul masquerading as "The Beatles", no matter how many other musicians they were augmented by.

Even the most ardent Hollies fans (and I count myself among them) must face facts. This is a band that for all purposes ended around 1980, when Bernie Calvert and Terry Sylvester signed off. After that, what passed for the Hollies was a band wallpapered with synthesizers, and doing Richard Marx-style material.

One could argue that Bobby Elliot (drums) and Tony Hicks (guitar) were always the heart and soul of the group, even in the early days. They are still professional and competent musicians, but they are buried here in a syrupy progression of songs that pretty much blend into each other.
Hicks trots out his banjo, electric sitar, and Spanish acoustic stylings, but he plays with no inspiration. Elliot thumps away in perfect time, but provides none of the dramatic drumming that made the early Hollies so exciting.

This cd is just an empty exercise that doesn't even sound like the Hollies. Peter Howarth (the lead singer) could just as easily be miming Styx records, and these songs and arrangements suit somebody like Belinda Carlisle.

Twenty three years after "What Goes Around", the "phoned in" reunion with Graham Nash-- this cd comes, which rocks even less, and feels less authentic. Two stars for one decent song ("Hope"). If there is a next time, I won't be buying.

If you're a dire hard fans of The Hollies you may not like this album. From my experience with the Hollies, this album is totally different and I LOVE it! The Hollies have experimented with pop/bubble gum pop. As you see with some of the low reviews, there are people who hate it, and don't believe it sounds at all like the Hollies music. However, I disagree. What is music if you don't experiment or try different genres? I love a lot of genres, pop included. I can listen to this album from beginning to end and not skip a song. It's really good, and I highly recommend it. It takes a lot of balls for the Hollies to make this album, and I'm glad I bought it! :-D. You will notice some collaboration with Gregg Alexander (from the New Radicals) and Enrique Iglesias.

CD Produced by Ray Stiles and Ian Parker. The Hollies Limited (c) 2006 (sound recording), (c) 2005 (label copy information), (c) 2005 EMI Records, Ltd.

Song list:

1) "Hope" by Rob Davis and Steve Stack.
My review: Good album open. It uplifts you by making you realize that we have to believe that we can solve our problems (hope/faith). Themes: hope/faith, love. Some of the lyrics I love include "Hope, the only way we're going to keep our sanity." "Hope, there's got a little be a little bit of you and me.", "No use feeling sorry for yourself, when you've got something else--hope..."

"So Damn Beautiful" by Mark Read and Graham Stack.
My review: Typical pop song about love, and heart break. If you get really into it, it could make your heart melt. Themes: lost/love. Some of my favorite lyrics: "You're so damn beautiful and I wanna make you mine", "I would walk a thousand miles to find my way to you", "How can I make you love me? I'm so blinded by your light, how can I make you see?"

"Prove Me" Wrong by Mark Read and Graham Stack.
My review: There's a lot of strength in here because you admit that you're wrong and that other person is right. I guess that theme is relevant with love, too. That's what the Hollies sing about in this song. How many times have people refused to recognize/tell their errors? Themes: love, error, admit your wrong. Some of my favorite lyrics: "Well I could run away and hide, but I'm still here by your side." "I can't give up so easily...there are times when I feel insecure" "Every time I tell myself I can't go on, you prove me wrong".


"Break Me" by Rob Davis, Gregg Alexander, and Enrique Iglesias.
My review: Hopefully you recognize some big names here. Gregg Alexander who used to be apart of "New Radicals" (1999) and now a producer of music (view this website for a full listing: ) and the famous singer Enrique Iglesias. Enrique Iglesias made his own version on his album, Seven (2003) with a slightly different name "Break Me Shake Me". The song discusses about trying love, and not being afraid of being tested to prove their love. For the classic Hollies, there are some good guitar solos in the song. There is good collaboration in this pop song. You see the influence of all of them with the Hollies. Some of my favorite lyrics: "Don't be afraid to try me", "Take me, you can break me, but you can't make me kill our love because that's the only thing I can't do for you", "I want want to get somewhere inside your world..."

"Shine On Me" by Robert Hart, Makr Read, and Cliff Masterson.
My review: I love the guitars in the beginning of the song. Good pop song about strength, and love. Some of the lyrics are very classic, the music, the instruments and lyrics all combine something into good love song. However, it could be applied to other themes, too (such as religion). Some of my favorite lyrics: "Like a tide we rise and fall", "There were times were I stood alone, I found the strength to care on" "When you came into my life like a thousand angels watching over me". "Just when you think all of the walls were closing in around, oh baby, I'll be your fight". "You don't need to hide in the shadows of no one, all you have to stand up, you're not on your own..."

"Suspended Animation" by Gregg Alexander and Rob Davis (for some reason The Hollies' booklet and website credited it to Rob Davis and Tom Nicolls, but EMI credits it to Gregg Alexander and Rob Davis. I have to believe EMI here. Reference:)

My review: As you see here, we got Gregg Alexander (of the New Radicals) collaborating with the Hollies. A little slow down, with guitars, and I can here voice manipulation being used in parts. I like that being that the song is called "Suspended Animation". Themes: wishing and waiting, love. Some of my favorite lyrics: "They say you can never rise above your station /But girl you've got me hanging in suspended animation.", "And still I'm begging baby / Won't you take me please?"

"Touch Me" by Rob Davis, Gregg Alexander, and Enrique Iglesias. Here we see another collaboration between Gregg Alexander and Enrique Iglesias. This song appears on Enrique Iglesias' album called "Seven" (2003) with a slightly different title "The Way You Touch Me". Another typical pop song about love/touching (effect). A like the music in the background, and the guitars. You'll hear a lot about needed a bigger commitment, touching (effect), love. Themes: love, commitment, touch, effect. Some of my favorite lyrics: "I needed you to know I'm more than a one night stand". "We can walk, we can talk all night long. It's the way you touch me baby"

"Emotions" by Rob Davis and Lamont Dozier.
A mix between ballad pop, gospel, some guitars in the mix. The song discusses about emotions changing them, running away from them, stealing their energy. If I were to choose the weakest song, I'd probably chose this one. Not saying it's bad, but it could be better. It's a calming song, though. Themes: emotions, changing, growing up. I don't have a favorite lyric.


"Weakness" by Rob Davis and Chris Braide.
It's pretty much a sappy love song about a lost love. Themes: love, lost love, heartbreak. Some of my favorite lyrics: "Lying here without you and I'm feeling like the end of the world", "You're my weakness in the middle of the night." "I wonder who you're dreaming of".


"Live it Up" by Rob Davis, Gregg Alexander, and Enrique Iglesias.
Another collaboration. This song was included in Enrique Iglesias' album "Seven" (2003) entitled "Live It Up Tonight". Maybe you won't (didn't) realize the hidden message in the song. It's one of those songs that says we're all types of people ("we're straight, we gay, we're bi...we're black, we're white") but we all need to live life to the fullest. Even if it means to be wrong, to lose love, to break up, etc. At least that's what I understood from the song. Themes: love, live life to the fullest, break up. Some of my favorite lyrics: "To tell the truth, we lie", "So come on, live it up tonight, move on", "It's time we give it up...", "We loved, we lost, we tried. Did I say that I'm fine? Cos I'd die.."

"Yesterday's Gone" by Mark Read, Mark Topham, and Karl Twigg
The song describes how we should look forward to today and tomorrow, and not dwell on the past (yesterday). The lyrics are very catchy. Themes: living in the past, future, today. Some of my favorite lyrics: "Yesterday's gone baby don't you know / You'll never get it back, gotta let it go",


"Let Love Pass" by Rob Davis and Chris Braide.
I always thought the title should be "Let Love Pass You By", sounds more romantic. A good theme for the end. You probably can tell that it's about leaving love, let love go by, "just walk away, tell me goodbye" as the song says. Themes: break up, love, let go, hurt. Some of my favorite lyrics: "Just walk away, tell me goodbye, if that's what you want, don't tell me why", "Maybe someday when you're searching for something / You'll realize what you've thrown away / Then I'll be long gone so don't try and hold on / There's no lookin back for today".

I hope you enjoyed my review. ROX ON! :)

now this doesn't sound like the allan clarke hollies but the cd has a really good contemperary sound.i especially like HOPE;SHINE ON ME;and YESTERDAYS GONE.the best song i feel is LET LOVE PASS.again it really doesn't sound like the hollies but british pop still has a place in my heart.

Although the familiar voices are gone, the great lyrics and song writing are still present in this new band with the original drummer and bass player. The sound is a little more modern than past recordings but the voices blend well together. The new vocalists are great and this album should be released domestically. I call the music very emotional for lovers and friends. I would think that mostly all Hollies fans will appreciate the music-very emotional and easy to listen to--soft rock as was many of the former Hollies bands were. I hope they tour in the USA and make another album--I will be right there to see them and continue buying their music. Hollies fans-give it a try-you will not be disappointed. Rock on.

I have been a long-time Hollies fan and have found them to consistently produce quality music. Yes, it's taken a bit to get used to the continuing changes the group goes through, but Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott, the two remaining original members, have done an excellent job recruiting talented musicians and continuing to produce catchy tunes rich with their wonderful melodies and harmonies. Peter Howarth is great as the new lead singer. Staying Power has the energy of their earlier years beautifully combined with the todays audio technological advances. I am so impressed with the entire CD that it is hard to pick a favorite. This is a wonderful treat! I highly recommend it!

This album is similar to a lot of albums that came out in the early '70's - it has grown on me through time and the more I listen to it.
The vocals, instrumentation, recording quality, and song quality are 1st rate, something you would always expect from The Hollies. Those that lament the absence of Alan Clarke should remember that the same sentiments were expressed during the Rickfors era, and that era produced the top notch 'Romany' lp. No, this isn't the Hollies of yesteryear, but I prefer a 'classic' group still producing new and potent music than one that is simply trying to live on past glories.
The only complaints I have (and they are minor) are the album is a bit too synthesizer laden and a few more acoustic songs (I know you have them Tony) would have been appreciated. Don't let that put you off because this is a first rate effort by a band that has a lot still left to offer. I can't wait 'til their next release.