houston houston

Released: 06 December 2010 Label: Spinefarm

My first initial listen of Houston yielded a bit of a surprise. I didn’t think people made music like this anymore. It’s keyboard heavy, generic, 80s sounding heavily processed radio-friendly music that falls somewhere between soft rock, and, well, “medium” rock, for lack of a better term.

Channeling elements of Cutting Crew, and April Wine among others of that ilk, most of the songs sound distinctly similar to one another, with no real variation in style or sound. Track seven, Misery, opened with a few notes bearing a classic rock feel reminiscent of Bad Company / Foghat or similar, but that was extremely short lived, and the tune quickly morphed into heavily processed “Air Supply” style filler. Upon hearing the first initial keyboard notes of track eight, She’s a Mystery I thought I was about to hear a remake of Cutting Crew’s I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight, but that turned out not to be the case, either.

Not entirely unpleasant, nor terribly engaging, I’d have to say overall, my opinion of this record was completely neutral. I could easily withstand hearing it played softly overhead in the dentist’s office, or in a supermarket, but I wouldn’t be inclined to seek it out on my own accord.

No insult is intended in the review of this album. The musicianship is adequate, and the music is not “bad” per se, but it’s not terribly original or engaging either. I wouldn’t imagine the general population to be offended by this record, nor would I expect them to be riveted by it either.

If you’re looking for music to shop for produce, or get a root canal to, this just might do the trick.

by Aline Miladinovich