RELEASEDV29.3.2012
1. Pleasure Palace 2. I Wanna Be Loved 3. Edge Of Your Life 4. Lookin' For Strange 5. Love Don't Lie 6. Slip Of The Tongue 7. Hearts Of The World 8. Under Blue Skies 9. Call My Name 10. Jealous Heart
first album (CD). This has always been one of my favorite albums, and I was eager to hear the "new and improved" version. A bit of background, House Of Lords was formed out of the group "Giuffria"(who released 2 albums, the 1984 self-titled, and the 1986 Silk + Steel). Greg Giuffria (keyboards), Lanny Cordola (guitar), Chuck Wright (bass- who played on the first G. album) and new members, drummer Ken Mary, and vocalist James Christian (who exec producer and label owner Gene Simmons had recommended).The two later releases from this group featured various band members (between the two Giuffria albums, and the three HOL albums, there was never the same line-up twice)! A few songs on this album (Pleasure Palace, Slip of the Tongue, Under Blue Skies, and Jealous Heart) were written during the Giuffria time period, with then vocalist David Glen Isley sharing the writing credit. If you have always had this album, as I have (which originally came out on CD, Cassette, *and* vinyl in 1988 on now-defunct Simmons label) there are no surprises. If not, you missed a classic and now is your chance. The album is a heavy keyboard driven (with a great extended keyboard based intro. to the first track, Pleasure Palace), yet with the guitar parts blending and countering perfectly. The songs range from the heavier side (Pleasure Palace, Slip of the Tongue, Hearts of the World) to upbeat melodic rockers (I Wanna Be Loved, Lookin' for Strange, Under Blue Skies, Call My Name) to a heavy/power-ballad style where the band really achieves their own sound (Edge Of Your Life, Love Don't Lie, Jealous Heart). A bonus is the 1 minute acoustic guitar piece by Lanny Cordola prior to the last track, Jealous Heart. This album seems to continue in the direction that the band Giuffria was going in, although overall it's heavier than Silk + Steel, yet the instrument arrangements are similar. It is also similar to the two other HOL releases, Sahara (also recently re-issued by Axe Killer) and the hard to find Demon's Down, as well as James Christian's solo album, Rude Awakening. Regarding the "re-packaged" version, I have to give high marks. The original packaging was a black and white booklet with lyrics and credits. (The vinyl version had a clear plastic insert, no lyrics, credits on the back cover.) The Axe Killer version has a full color booklet, with lyrics, credits, individual member photos and a group photo, and a brief one page liner note mainly on the background of Greg and his previous bands. The back insert has the serial number listed out of the 3000 copies being made, and the jewel case comes in a cardboard outer sleeve, with a larger front cover emblem, and the song listing on the back. The "bonus track" ...well, it's actually a remix of Love Don't Lie, which appears to be the "radio edit" (read: shorter) version. The second verse is cut out, some background vocals are removed, and the guitar is a bit buried compared to the full length version. I suspect that this remix is the same version that was previously available on the CD single back in '88. As for re-mastering, I compared it to the original CD version, and the re-mastered version has an overall higher output volume, the bass and high end are accentuated, yet the guitar volume is mixed back (although I think this is just a perceptive result of having the bass and high end increased). It sounds to me as if the "re-mastering" was done by processing the master through a compressor and aural exciter, with slight equalization, as opposed to performing a full remix of the original multitrack tape. Overall, the sound quality of this version just blows away the original -- greater highs, greater lows, and overall clarity. This album is a collection of well-written songs, expertly arranged, well played, and has a very current heavy kicking sound, especially considering it was originally recorded in 1988. What I feel set this band apart and defined their sound was the complex interplay between the keyboards and guitars. Both are very strong, yet don't try to overpower each other. All of the songs achieve a sense of power, and retain melodic elements -- no screaming or repetitious riffing here! One of my fav albums and a great example of melodic/hard rock. This album originally came out with the right sound at the right time, and it's nice to see it re-issued now. Even if you already have the original CD,(or CD and vinyl as I do) the re-issue is worth picking up for the improved sound quality alone, and the booklet is a bonus! With the recent news that HOL has reformed (with the line-up from this album) to do a new studio album, I look forward to new material from this group