Brian Howe and Giant CD Reviews

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 March 2010 02:13 Written by Dee Haley Monday, 01 March 2010 23:16

Brian Howe - Circus Bar

     Brian Howe, a veteran British singer and songwriter, best known for replacing Paul Rodgers as the lead singer for Bad Company, has recently released a solo album called Circus Bar on Frontiers Records.  The new CD is his first release in 13 years.  Howe's career was initially bolstered in 1983 when he handled lead vocals for Ted Nugent on his Penetrator album and subsequent tour.
    Howe's pop-rock sound shines through on this melodic CD.  His vocal quality has not faltered.  Howe successfully kept  Bad Company's original momentum going and is apparently pressing on to do the same with his new solo effort.
    "I'm Back" is the first track on the CD and certainly tells a story.  It's a pretty straight and forward rock-n-roll tune.  It's anthem-like lyrics are a reminder that Brian is back and ready to rock.  Although the Bad Company style lingers throughout this CD, after 10 years with Bad Company, Brian's personal style both contributed to and meshed with that band. Therefore, the similarity should come as no surprise. "Life's Mystery" is a slower song and has a reflective 'life is short' attitude.  Lyrically, this track is brilliant.  It's inspirational and somehow puts even a positive spin on funerals.  That's quite an achievement.  "There's This Girl" picks up the tempo a bit and sports a classic rock vibe.  It's catchy and makes you want to sing-a-long.  A rock ballad called "Surrounded" has a heavier guitar part, while an acoustic beginning to "Flying" is both melodic and angelic with a folkish feel.
    Remakes of Bad Company's "How 'Bout That" and "Holy Water" are also on this CD.  "How 'Bout That" is pretty true to the original version.  "Holy Water" is more orchestrated.  The heavier guitar parts in the original were replaced with acoustic guitar.  There's also an acoustic piano which replaces most of the previous percussion sounds.  Vocally, Brian's performance on this track is stellar.  The musical changes seem to really bring out the vocals, which were great in the first place. "Little George Street" is the final track and an interesting little ditty to wrap up this CD, which takes us from Brian's return in "I'm Back" to Brian's beginning on "Little George Street" where he grew up.  Little George Street is also referred to on a previous track called "My Town". 'Circus Bar' is a predominantly mid-tempo pop/rock CD with some blues and folk influence.  If you like Bad Company, you will surely enjoy this CD.  If you're looking for a piece of Uncle Teddy, you won't find much of that here, but it's still a good CD and definitely worth a listen.

Giant - Promise Land

    GIANT's come-back album "Promise Land" is set to be released in the United States on March 9, 2010, on Frontiers Records and Backstageaxxess.com was able to give it a listen and let you know what to expect.
    Giant is comprised of founding members David Huff (drums) and Mike Brignardello (bass), along with Terry Brock (singer, formerly of Strangeways & Seventh Key) and John Roth (guitar, formerly of Winger).  This melodic rock quartet is packed with talent.  In Giant's fourth (4th) release, 'Promise Land,' each member brings a bit of himself to the mix.
    "Believer (Redux)" is the opening track and it comes on strong with an ethereal intro filled with classic '80's hair band style and the distinctive sound that only comes from the overuse (in this case a good thing) of a tremolo bar.  The title track, "Promise Land", has strong crisp vocals and Giant keeps the faith in "Never Surrender".  David Huff's Christian-Rock background shines through lyrically on these tracks and the powerful vocals make a statement.  The heavy guitar riffs in "Prisoner of Love" and throughout the CD add a hard rock edge.  "Our Love" and "Through My Eyes" are rock ballads.  "Plenty of Love" is guitar heavy, yet fun and simple.  It's a straight forward rocker along with the rebellious "Double Trouble" track. This CD finishes with a bite.  "Complicated Man" is a bonus track with a faster, heavier beat.  Personally, it's my favorite track.  "Save Me" is another straight up rock tune with a bluesy backbone.
    This CD has a recognizable sound, but it's not exclusive to Giant.  There are many parts to this whole.  Nonetheless, it's fun way to breathe new life into eighties rock, especially if you're a fan of the genre.