Special: HOUSE OF LORDS - "The Power And The Myth"

Chuck Wright has given us already readily information on our "... jetzt schlägt's 13!" special. Therefore, we have packed the occasion on the shock of hair and asked him to do a "track by track - own words " as well.
... here we go:

1. Today
After having several of our new songs rejected by our label (Frontiers Records) for failing to follow their strict guidelines of that "80's corporate rock" required sound, we submitted this outside written song. There was something about the chorus that reminded me of material from out debut. This song was not intended to be the opener of the album but apparently the label president felt it represented the signature HOL sound best. I guess he didn't want to confuse people too much. This resequencing of the songs was a BIG disappointment for us.

2. All Is Gone
This is a new song that Lanny, Pat Torpey and I put together. We used a an old JETRO TULL type harmony part for the bass and guitar riff. It has an interesting mid eastern influenced middle section. A straight ahead mid tempo rocker. Like a lot of the other material we wrote, Ken finished this song with us in the studio.

3. Am I The Only One
... this one is a bit newer. Lanny had the ideas for this a few years ago. A ballad in 6/8 time. A moody track with Eastern/Indian guitar influences. There's an outstanding, beautifully melodic guitar solo from Lanny. One of my favorites, every note counts.

4. Living In Silence
This song was written by James in the mid 90's but we changed the verse from it's original speaking/rap style to a melody. A bit of a modern style mixed into the melodic structure with rockin' heavier guitar riffs, and a lot of big drums ala the song "Sahara" The middle section of the song really gets outside. A good one for head phones.

5. The Power And The Myth
This song was originally intended to start the record. It's a short instrumental filled with majestic melodies that brings back memories of our debut, especially the amazing keyboards which are performed by Derek Sherinian (formerly of DREAM THEATER) coupled with a tasty Jeff Beck style melody from Lanny. I came up with the music for this in England while on tour with Alice Cooper in late 2002.

6. The Rapture
Originally written for the mid 90's HOL release which didn't happen. Lanny plays a lot of unusual exotic instruments like the Bazouki, Balalaika and Turkish Banjo so we tapped into that. This instrumentation was integral to getting across the musical landscape and mood of the lyrics. There's some amazing violin playing by Charlie Bissoret (from BOB DYLANs band) . All the instrumentation is real, no samples: Sitar, Cello, and ethnic percussion.

7. The Man Who I Am
Another new outside song discovered with the song "Today". Famed rock singer and James Christian's wife, Robin Beck, shares the bridge with James on this one. This is probably our most commercial song on the record.

8. Bitter Sweet Euphoria
This song opens with an assault of slammin' drumming from Ken Mary. It is little darker than you 'd expect but has a really strong melodic chorus that brings to mind the BEATLES meets LED ZEPPELIN.

9. Mind Trip
This is a new one that has a seventies retro vibe a la DEEP PURPLEs "Machine Head" days. It's very raw and we really get to show off our chops.

10. Child Of Rage
This was written in the early 90's and we kept some of the performances from those sessions. By far one of James Christians best vocal performances ever. A powerfully massive melodic ballad. It has an almost Gospel feel. A nice closer for the album.

1. Today
2. All Is Gone
3. Am I The Only One
4. Living In Silence
5. The Power And The Myth
6. The Rapture
7. The Man Who I Am
8. Bitter Sweet Euphoria
9. Mind Trip
10. Child Of Rage

"The Power And The Myth"
(2004/ Frontiers Records/ Soulfood)

DISKOGRAFIE:

"House Of Lords" (1988)
"Sahara" (1991)
"Demon's Down" (1992)
"The Power And The Myth" (2004)

weitere Informationen unter www.houseoflordsgroup.com

andere Beiträge über HOUSE OF LORDS
Reviews:
HOUSE OF LORDS/ Live In The UK
HOUSE OF LORDS/ World Upside Down
HOUSE OF LORDS/ The Power And The Myth

Specials:
"... jetzt schlägt's 13!" with Chuck Wright