House of Lords - Big Money

01. Big Money
02. One Man Down
03. First To Cry
04. Searchin'
05. Someday When
06. Livin' In A Dream World
07. The Next Time I Hold You
08. Run For Your Life
09. Hologram
10. Seven
11. Once Twice
12. Blood
13. Someday When (video clip)

Release date: 27 September 2011

I have been a fan of this band since way back. The band (originally brought to the market by Gene Simmons) has had many line up changes, and over the years has had some of my favorite musicians in the ranks (Tommy Aldridge, Ken Mary, Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright), and have consistently put out solid commercial hard rock with an edge. All along the way, the one constant was the powerfully beautiful vocals of James Christian. This band for me, is always just the perfect balance of commercial radio rock and hard rock, and album after album have never let me down from that expectation. And even with the change of personnel, the music has not suffered, and each release is as pleasing as ever.

After three initial album in 1988, 90 and 92, they kind of disappeared until resurfacing in 2004 with The Power and the Myth. While that was a most enjoyable release, and what I consider the ultimate band line up, they surprisingly got better with each subsequent release. From the 2006 World Upside Down release, through the 2008 Come to My Kingdom, and 2009's Caretsian Dreams, they have never disappointed in releasing some of the most top notch music that is sure to please.

Well, 2011 has given us Big Money, and I did not even hesitate to order, trusting their track record - and they again did not disappoint. The opening title track comes full force with the mid-tempo rocker and catchy chorus, starting off things on the right foot for sure. Song two opens in a more mellow style in "One Man Down" that oozes with feeling and class before kicking in a bigger sound discussing a 22 year old soldier, pushing forward when times are tough.

First to Cry is a made for high energy radio rock hit, and would have easily been a hit on MTV back when they played good music. Honestly, I could go on song by song breaking down what we have here, but the sound is so consistently great and the style doesn't really change to much from track to track, so there is no real need. The whole release, as with previous one is consistently good throughout. Solid, commercial radio hard rock, with top notch musicianship by Jimi Bell on guitar, B.J. Zampa on drums, Chris McCarvill on bass, and the smooth powerful vocals of James Christian.