Big Bang Theory

this is last album before RUBBER came knocking at the door & you can see they were heading to something else totally different even though this is SCAREM at their modern sounding best you still have everything that makes this band great the powerful vocals & harmonies,top notch guitar work & a solid rhythm section has the HAREM boys were on there 7th record by now they were fully in their stride & like one of there biggest influences (QUEEN) changed their sound with every album & its never a disappointment,But have to say I was not ready for this album & has much has I love it now I had only ever heard SO BLIND before has I brought the LIVE AT THE GODS album & that song went on to become my fave HS track so hearing that so much it sorta felt like it didn't fit in with the album or it was to good for the album.....but now like before with VOICE OF REASON i've come to love this offering greatly you just have to give some records time ! not all instantly get under your skin.now this is another wounded bird re-issue so its affordable at last its not those crazy jap import prices & they have kept faithful to the japanese version which is a shame has they should of stuck to the Canadian release which has a better track listing which instead of getting SEAS OF DISSENSION,NEVER HAVE IT ALL,TABLES TURNING you get WASTED TIME,NEW RELIGION,WHAT I DO but what would of been even better would be to have done a special edition like the BELIEVE album where it was both versions combined but anyway its still a great listen.....So thankfully this version of the album opens with SO BLIND which is alot better opener than TURN AROUND now there both great tracks but with SO BLINDS big crashing open chords & pumping rhythm all the way through plus the classic HAREM harmonies & cheeky little solo by PETE LESPERANCE its 3:41 of HS greatness,then into CLIMB THE GATE which has HARRY really starting to grate with his vocals but it works so well & this album has some great RUBBER type lyrics with ( With one foot in my mouth And one in the grave,well so much for staying sane ) they were really heading for it,But this another great big harmonized chiming bundle of greatness.& to RELOAD after a quite little intro that makes you think its gonna be a chilled out affair in they come with the rough around the edges sound thats constant throughout the whole album & this just thunders along but has a nice little middle section just before the solo break.slowing things down a tad is TABLES TURNING this is were the canadian version loses out has this is an awesome track it has some great organ going along with the song that gives it a nice change of sound & theres some passages where its just vocals,bass & drums which changes it up again & really brings it down before the chorus lifts you right up & another thing with this track in the chorus that gets right in your head this band has a bad habit of that lol.next is TURN AROUND with its very jagged over all sound & also at times darren's doing some different beats which keeps things on there toes.& where harry wants to ( rip your heart out & shove it in your mouth )...apparentlythen theres SEAS OF DISSENSION which is an ok track but it just cruises along now this would of been great to have its Canadian counterpart WHAT I DO which is a much better track with evil strings & a bit of synthy sounding guitars it kicks SEAS right outta the ball park has they say.next up is a one off it is the vocal debut of bassists BARRY DONAGHY on SOMETIMES I WISH firstly BARRYS vocal skills is at a great standard & no wonder he does a great job with the harmonies live & on the record (I wish he would do a solo album I think it would be a job well done) BARRY does sound like HARRY in places which is no bad thing but ( when he sings sometimes I wish I wasn't born sometimes I wish I were everything,the holy poster boy for vanity ) you know he means it he sings with great conviction & could so easier front his own band,Its a great track & defiantly a highlight of the album the effects PETE uses on this guitar wise give it a fantastic sound.Also NEVER HAD IT ALL with its big QUEEN influence all over it....its a great standout moment for the album & one of the slower grooves on here & harry sings it beautifully with total passion.LYING is ok track but I personally would of loved its place taken by NEW RELIGION even though LYING is on both versions the problem is has its coming up to the chorus you're expecting one of those big HS moments & it doesn't deliver but I think maybe they thought lets do something different on this it still has everything pumping guitars a banging rhythm workout & some sandpaper vocals ripping through it..but still.Lastly theres IN MY STATE OF MIND which is a really beautiful piece imagine HAREM SCAREM doing a FLEETWOOD MAC SONGBIRD type thing from RUMORS its just HARRY HESS with vocals & piano but you need nothing more than that.it really draws you in !!!this was another job well done from the HS guys yes its very different again has the previous album BELIEVE was more of a straight ahead rock album with some twists & turns but this takes on a more modern feel & probably had the purists moaning & groaning has usual hahahaha,also KEVIN ELSON ( MR BIG,JOURNEY,NIGHT RANGER,EUROPE ) produces two tracks which is great & all but tbh they didn't really need him pete & harry did a fine jobs themselves.To sum up : I'd say this has the alternative vibe of VOR but with the up beat pace of MOOD SWINGS with RUBBER starting to seep into the mix but if you're a big lover of rock music then try this it might not be an instant hit in your cd player but after a while it'll be a regular visitor,This album does have a lot to offer so enjoy.