Houston – Relaunch

Releasedate: 14-11-2011; Label: V2/Spinefarm records
By: Sabine van Gameren

Houston is a Swedish AOR formation. Last year they came with a debut release and now they come with a cover album called “Relaunch”.

Houston is a duo, Freddie Allen and Hank Erix are the men behind it and with their passion with that classical rock sound they have found their way to the scene already. Now a cover album comes with songs that the band felt like bringing back to live for the new generation of AOR fans. With their catchy vocals and good musicianship it is no wonder that the album is easy to listen to. “Carrie” is originally a Michael Bolt composition which got reinvented in such a nice way that it will open quite some doors for people. Also worth to mention is the song “Without Your Love” a strong ballad that is originally written by Ricky Delin and here recorded with Eliza Ryd, known for supplying vocals to her band Amaranthe.
“Relaunch” is a pleasant album to listen, whether you know the songs already or not. Houston gave their own face to it and make sure it is not just a collection of covers, but an album that is giving you the idea that you listen to a modern AOR band that could have written these songs themselves.

Tracklist: 01. Runaway 02. Carrie 03. Brief Encounter 04. Don’t You Know What Love Is 05. Don’t Ever Wanna Lose You 06. Didn’t We Almost Win It All 07. Without Your Love 08. Truth Slips (acoustic recording) 09. 1000 Songs (acoustic recording)

Links:
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