Customer Reviews

Weight of the World

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mood Swings might still be the No. 1 Harem Scarem album, but WoW is a very close second. Both of them will come with me to my desert island. The strongest tracks are 'Killing Me', 'WoW', and 'Outside Your Window'. Powerful, rich, yet crisp production.

Harry's voice is strong, emotive, and melodic, as always.

And don't forget to bow down before the Guitar God, Pete Lesperance! [We're not worthy!] He's got more music in his mind and and technique in his fingers than any ten guitarists you could name. Satriana and EVH should have taken lessons from him.

It doesn't matter if this album comes out domestically under the Rubber name or HS. I just wish that all the rock radio stations would pick up on the brilliance of this band, and demonstrate to the complacent masses out there what real rock music could and should be. And if they don't, I won't care -- I'll be on my desert island with a generator, a CD player, and my HS collection.

Thanks to Harry and Pete for years of listening pleasure.

Buy it. Enjoy it. Now!

If you were surprised by Def Leppard's swerve in a more pop-rock direction, Harem Scarem's new album could be the album you were looking for. It's still modern (there are shades of the Foo Fighters in places) but classic Leppard and Queen influences abound. Songs like "Killing Me" and "All I Want" with their stacks of harmonies and infectious melodies, bring to mind everything that was great about arena rock, while modern radio pop-rock like "If You" doesn't sound anything but current, without alienating fans of the old. This is perhaps the perfect meeting point for fans of the classic and the modern; Harem Scarem are taking rock in cool new directions and their huge cult following should surely turn into mainstream sales.

I just started listening to this band about a year ago after reading a lot of great things about them on a couple of melodic rock websites. I purchased, listened to and loved both the debut and "Mood Swings" (especially the later), finding them to be near-perfect melodic rock. I had also read great things about this effort in particular, as it was described as the perfect melodic/modern rock blend. Well, after finally getting this one and giving it several listens, I must say that it absolutely lives up to the hype. It simply doesn't get much better than this.

The lead title track is a melodic monster, with a pretty heavy electric guitar sound and Harry Hess' voice sounding as melodic as ever. But yes, there is a slightly modern tint to it as well, which only enhances the vibe of this song. That is even more prevelant on the next track, the impossibly catchy "Killing Me". In fact, the hard rocking melodies don't slow up at all for the next two tracks as well; then you finally get a ballad (the only one of the album) at track five. For sure, "This Ain't Over" stands up to any classic melodic rock ballad I have ever heard. No real "modern" sound here compared to most of the tracks, but a fantastic track nonetheless.

It only gets better from here. I am particularly amazed with the chord progression on "You Ruined Everything", where the melodic/modern hybrid is at a peak in the chorus. (I love the notes hit on the word "all" in particular.) "Charmed Life" is another modern-sounding master piece (especially the verses), while "If You" is among the other amazing, sing-along tracks (with some great modern notes) that dominate this album.

I can't emphasize enough how amazing the musicianship on this album is. These guys are masters of their craft. It's too bad that these guys get no recognition outside of melodic rock circles. Clearly, many if not most of the songs on this album deserve heavy rotation on rock radio; but of course that will never happen. If you like artists like Def Leppard (in their popular prime), heavier tracks by the Goo Goo Dolls since they became popular, or lesser-known but amazing melodic rock acts like Giant and Hardline, then I guarantee you will like this band and this album. One of my most recommended albums of the decade thus far.

I think that this is one of the most perfect albums I have ever heard. As usual, Harem Scarem have produced a collection of outstanding songs filled with plenty of memorable hooks and solos. I think that this album is extra special because the songs flow seamlessly making the CD a joy to listen to all the way through every time. In addition, there is a great balance of heavy, melodic, ballad, acoustic sounds throughout. If you don't have this CD you are really missing out!

The best melodic rock album of 2002. How can this band the talented receive so little acclaim from the mainstrem music world? This album is loaded with excellent material from start to finish. Heavy guitar riffs and catchy choruses that give you that "high as a mountaintop" feeling. It's simple: Get this album. No futher analysis needed, trust me.

If you love great rock music and think of yourself a trendsetter, get it quick and feel quilty of having the greatest rock music of the world which the rest of the world do not know. If you already have Mood Swings you know it very well they can produce the finest rock even better than their predecessors.

For starters, recent Harem Scarem music lies somewhere between Goo Goo Dolls and Survivor. But their rock approach is quite unique and difficult to find which established bands are closer to them. But I will try the review one track after another.

WEIGHT OF THE WORLD: It's a killer rocker with ethereal opening. Boy, it tells the essence of melodic rock.
KILLING ME: Nice follower with more modern rock flavor.
OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW: Goo styled dramatic rocker.
ALL I WANT: Most catchy among album tracks which easily can become a major hit.
THIS AIN'T OVER: Moody, touching ballad reminiscing a bit of Mood Swings era.
INTERNUDE: Nice instrumental interlude connects well to the next track.
YOU RUINED EVERYTHING: Following Internude a catchy uptempo rocker shines well. I can't help but start singing along.
CHARMED LIFE: Typically Harem Scarem with excellent chorus works.
IF YOU: Another of catchy uptempo rocker sure to be a radio heavy-rotation winner.
SEE SAW: Another of an excellent interlude showing their excellent musicianship.
VOICE INSIDE: My seond favorite following All I Want. Very passionate sing-along rocker.

Japanese editon has one more great track End Of Time so if you can share extra for this rock masterpiece grab it, you will not be disappointed. No titles this year can beat it maybe with the exception of MECCA.

I have just recently gotten the priveledge to hear some of the early releases from Harem Scarem. I was pleasently suprised, their sound is full of rythme and harmonies, you really can not compare them to any 80's rock bands, they have their own sound. They are polished with great vocals, and awesome guitar work, the songs are catchy and good, I have not heard a bad song from these guys yet, and that's rare. Their latest effort, Weight Of The World, is definately their best effort to date, and worthy of all the acclaim it is receiving, I would recommend this album to anyone who loves hard rock, it's a winner, crank it.

I have been a big fan of the Harem Scarem sound for a few years now. I have most of their cds and have always loved the harmonies and heavy riffing yet very melodic guitar sound. When they changed gears and became Rubber I was a little disapointed in the new music. I still enjoyed it but it wasn't Harem Scarem it was Rubber.

So when I heard they had a new CD out as Harem Scarem I had to give it a listen. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I haven't been let down as of yet. Its not totally old school Harem Scarem, but its close enough to make me glad I got this CD. My two favorite albums of theirs has to be Mood Swings and Voice of Reason. Does this CD come close to those ... NO. It has more of a Karma Cleansing sound to it with hints of Rubber.

This CD has the mix of power-pop rock (see Killing Me, Outside Your Window, and You Ruined Everything) and the great ballads that just make you want to sing along (see This Ain't Over and End of Time). There are a few left overs that could have been Rubber outakes such as If You and the 56 second acoustic guitar instrumental Internude, not sure why this was even on this CD.

If you like Harem Scarem you will definatly like this album. Of course no album can be perfect. I would have to say the things that I found to be a minor let down about this album was that it was a little short. Clocks in at 42 minutes, which includes the Japan only bonus track End of Time. But in retrospect thats about how long all the other HS albums have been in the past. I was just hoping for more material on this release I guess. I find Internude to be a waste of CD space. At first it is amusing but then that wears off and its a skip over track now.

So I give the new release 4 stars b/c I was hoping for more of the older HS sound. I am still very happy to have this CD in my collection ... t'was long over due.

A recent review of this Harem Scarem CD gave me the impression that the person reviewing it (and shame on them for being Canadian and not knowing more about one of their own bands)thought they only had TWO CDs out. Truth is, Weight of the World is more a return to the form of their second CD "Moodswings" (from 1993) after a stint under the name of Rubber (and a more power pop sound). Harem Scarem has always delivered very well crafted melodic hard rock over the years, thought not one of their albums could be considered a rider on its predecessor's coattails. Their singer Harold Hess (not Howard as the other reviewer stated) continues to possess some of the most amazing vocal chords in rock & roll. There is plenty to enjoy about Weight of the World for the Harem Scarem fan and anyone else interested in finding out just how GOOD this band is (ironically enough, the Canadian release of Weight still bears the Rubber name for whatever reason)...get the first CD, "Mood Swings" and one or more of their live CDs...then get this one...they're as good as ever on this CD...then check out their latest release "Higher"...you won't be disappointed.

Once again Harem Scarem have delivered a quality release that is not to be missed. These guys are one group that you just can't get enough of if you are into the melodic rock scene. Pick up any of their cd's that you can and you will be glad that you did.