For me, just seeing the name Harem Scarem means one thing, classic melodic rock which always delivers, and yet again here is the proof. Founder members Harry Hess (lead and backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Lesperance (guitars) and Darren Smith (now backing vocals, but was the original drummer) and long-time drummer Creighton Doane have combined with new bassist Mike Vassos to deliver yet another album in their classic styles. Named after the very first Bugs Bunny cartoon, the band originally came together after Harry Hess (Blind Vengeance) and Pete Lesperance (Minotaur) started writing songs in the late Eighties. Over the years since then there have been line-up changes, even a name change (to Rubber), and a lengthy hiatus but the Canucks are back and that songwriting partnership shows no sign at all of slowing down, even after more than 30 years together.

Melodic hard rock is the order of the day, with strong tunes, hooks and an edge that removes them from many of the AOR bands. Yes of course there is a power balled (“Mother of Invention”) but delivered with so much panache and style that the first verse makes one think of classic Queen until the chorus when we are strongly into Styx/Journey. Wonderful vocals and solid guitar show here is a band who are not just going to sit on their past glories but are still pushing forward with wonderful melodic music. Polished throughout, Harem Scarem are as powerful an act now as they were nearly 30 years ago and there are very few who can say that. Fans of this style of music will already have grabbed this album with both hands and if you have not come across these guys before, where have you have been? On the evidence of this album, there reputation is richly deserved.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.haremscarem.net/
https://www.frontiers.it/