H.E.A.T.
Sweden’s H.E.A.T seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. Since forming in 2007, they’ve won numerous awards; have a gold single under their belt and their first album, ‘Freedom Rock’, was met with positive reviews and was nominated as one of the best albums of 2010 by Classic Rock. Their new album ‘Address the Nation’ has a lot to live up to reach the same dizzy heights.
Looking at the tracklist, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a cover album with songs by Chesney Hawkes, Pixie Lott and Alice Deejay but, as amazing as that would undoubtedly be, it turns out that they’re just not too original with their song titles. That aside, the music itself is a pleasant surprise: it’s completely over the top and 80s-retro but it’s so well executed that you can’t criticise them for it. The album feels natural and not at all forced to fit into the genre and, probably most importantly, it’s just good fun. It’s easy to get lost in the album purely on “face value” but the musicianship is actually pretty solid so you can’t even really mark them down on that front either. The vocals are also a treat, so they’re winning on all fronts.
It’s clear that they’re borrowing a lot of ideas from their idols on this one, so they’re not exactly revolutionising the genre but I’m not sure that it really matters in this case. It’s surely a talent on some level to be able to so authentically reproduce a sound that had its heyday 30 years ago. Then again, maybe not. I think it’s safe to say that ‘Address the Nation’ is a slab of cheese-laden AOR; in the best way possible, of course. Far from being a lump of stagnant Babybel at a hot summer’s picnic, this is the finest cut of French brie. If you’re not in favour of getting songs well and truly stuck in your head, then this is one to avoid (especially ‘It’s All About Tonight’, which is possibly the catchiest metal song of the year so far, although some of the other tracks on the album give it a good run for its money).
Looking at the tracklist, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a cover album with songs by Chesney Hawkes, Pixie Lott and Alice Deejay but, as amazing as that would undoubtedly be, it turns out that they’re just not too original with their song titles. That aside, the music itself is a pleasant surprise: it’s completely over the top and 80s-retro but it’s so well executed that you can’t criticise them for it. The album feels natural and not at all forced to fit into the genre and, probably most importantly, it’s just good fun. It’s easy to get lost in the album purely on “face value” but the musicianship is actually pretty solid so you can’t even really mark them down on that front either. The vocals are also a treat, so they’re winning on all fronts.
It’s clear that they’re borrowing a lot of ideas from their idols on this one, so they’re not exactly revolutionising the genre but I’m not sure that it really matters in this case. It’s surely a talent on some level to be able to so authentically reproduce a sound that had its heyday 30 years ago. Then again, maybe not. I think it’s safe to say that ‘Address the Nation’ is a slab of cheese-laden AOR; in the best way possible, of course. Far from being a lump of stagnant Babybel at a hot summer’s picnic, this is the finest cut of French brie. If you’re not in favour of getting songs well and truly stuck in your head, then this is one to avoid (especially ‘It’s All About Tonight’, which is possibly the catchiest metal song of the year so far, although some of the other tracks on the album give it a good run for its money).
LABEL:
FORMAT:
earMUSIC
Album
ADDRESS THE NATION
Review by Siân Williams
RUNNING TIME:
42:32
RELEASE DATE:
26th March 2012
TRACK LISTING
1) Breaking the Silence
2) Living on the Run
3) Falling Down
4) The One and Only
5) Better Off Alone
6) In and Out of Trouble
7) Need Her
8) Heartbreaker
9) It's All About Tonight
10) Downtown
2) Living on the Run
3) Falling Down
4) The One and Only
5) Better Off Alone
6) In and Out of Trouble
7) Need Her
8) Heartbreaker
9) It's All About Tonight
10) Downtown
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Sweden
"...a slab of cheese-laden AOR; in the best way possible, of course. Far from being a lump of stagnant Babybel at a hot summer’s picnic, this is the finest cut of French brie."
