Darren Smith is the former drummer with Harem Scarem and with his band he switches to guitar as well as handling lead vocals. Joining him are bassist Stan Miczek (Honeymoon Suite), drummer Pat Carrano and guitarist Mike Hall (Killer Dwarfs/Helix).

Harem Scarem main man Harry Hess produces the album with Harem Scarem’s guitarist Pete Lesperance also appearing. As you’d expect it does have echoes of Darren Smith’s old band like the harmony filled title track and the crunching melodic rock of ‘When I Was’. There is an up tempo cover of the song made famous by Nazareth, ‘Love Hurts’, but the Nazareth version still wins hands down. ‘Tragedy’ is the stand out track combining a big hook and a driving rhythm section.

Harem Scarem fans will want this album and won’t be disappointed, as it’s good quality modern melodic rock.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Label website

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly