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28 of 31 found the following review helpful:
 Grateful for some ROCK!! Aug 31, 2009
By Ursula K. Raphael
"AstraDaemon of The Zombiephiles"
I almost wrecked my car the first time I heard Halestorm on the radio; not only do they have a powerful female on lead vocals, but the guitar riffs are awesome. I haven't heard anything like this since the early 90s. I listen to a wide variety of music genres, but I didn't stop liking rock just because hip-hop & electronica seemed to take over. I guess rock stations aren't as popular as they once were, and great rock albums are even harder to come by.
THEN THERE WAS HALESTORM! Yaaay! I have always been a huge fan of female rockers like the Wilson sisters in Heart, Lita Ford, and Bonnie Tyler, just to name a few -- I even like the chick's vocals in Evanescence, but it's been a long time since I heard something like Halestorm. My favorite tracks are the first three: It's Not You, I Get Off, and Bet U Wish U Had Me Back. I love the lyrics, love the vocals, and can't get enough of the guitars.
The lyrics are sexual (reminds me of Bret Michael's lyrics a little*edit*<--I take this back, Halestorm's lyrics have some depth to them), which isn't anything new in the world of rock'n'roll, but it's refreshing to hear a chick addressing guys instead of the other way around. Each track has its own unique sound, which is great because I can't stand repetition.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was the number of slower songs versus faster songs. I am starved for an album that doesn't rely so heavily on slow tracks, but it seems to happen a lot with female lead vocals.
All in all, if you liked albums like Heart or Dangerous Curves, you're gonna love this album!
Added September 12, 2009:
I've actually been listening to this album every day since I wrote this review, and my opinion has changed slightly. I also love tracks 5,6,7, 8 and 9 just as much as the first three, if not more...so even though I thought it needed more faster songs, I ended up liking the slower ones despite my first impression. The thing is, quite a few of the tracks aren't slow or fast, but rather a mix of tempos. I wish I had waited a little longer to write my review; I would change my rating to five stars if the system let me.
It's Not You is a fast track with lyrics about how she's in love with someone but it's not the guy she's talking to. I freakin' loved the bridge on this track, "you've probably never been shot down before."
I Get Off was the reason I started listening to Halestorm in the first place. Very seductive lyrics. Goes back and forth between slow and fast.
Bet U Wish U Had Me Back is a self-explanatory slow track. Lyrics list the reasons the guy totally screwed up. Don't get me wrong though -- it's not a man-hating album, but thesongs are all about relationships from a woman's perpspective.
Innocence is a slightly faster track with powerful lyric play. Very poetical. "You're just too perfect for my hands to own."
Familiar Taste Of Poison is dark and gothic. I thought it could be used in a Twilight movie or something like that. Another track with an awesome bridge: "I don't want to be saved, I don't want to be sober"
I'm Not An Angel was definitely a slow track with a sort of Blues/country tinge to it, and yet a bit orchestral on the chorus. Lots of levels in this ballad.
What Were You Expecting has turned out to be my absolute favorite track. While I'm guilty of comparing the lead to other female vocals, she makes her own mark with this song, and establishes her own range and talent. I hope this track get some radio play very soon. This is the rock I have been looking for.
Love/Hate Heartbreak is another track with a touch of Blues in the guitar riffs, which just shows how well-rounded they are as musicians. I'd place this as a faster track, but it's a good example of how they mix tempos to rock out.
Better Sorry Than Safe has great music but the lyrics is a little depressing. "Sometimes I wish you'd cheated on me, then leavin' here would be so easy."
Dirty Work and Nothing To Do With Love are great rock tracks, but I just couldn't get into the lyrics. They aren't bad, but I think they should have placed these two at the beginning because the rest of the album is a tough act to follow.
So, I've learned my lesson, and will not be in such a hurry to review new music...in the meantime, I continue to let Halestorm dominate all my music players, wherever I am...
25 of 32 found the following review helpful:
Almost TOO commercial for my taste, but the songs are not bad!! May 17, 2009
By Larry Davis
"powerpoplarry"
I was given this CD by Halestorm, to try it out, as I wasn't sure...I almost said no cuz of the mention of many mainstream commercial rock bands listed in the credits whom I don't like...Nickelback, Shinedown, Theory Of A Deadman, etc...I stay away from that stuff. My taste is powerpop, alt-country and many alt/punk/new wave bands, as well as many female rockers and singer/songwriters, plus the Scandinavian, opera-metal bands fronted by women.
Then I read the reviews, comparing Halestorm to Pat Benatar and Heart, so then I listened, as I love Pat Benatar and Heart...and I'll tell ya, the reviews were right on!! I'm not a big fan of huge commercial productions, UNLESS the songs and tunefulness is undeniable, and there is a VOICE...well folks, Halestorm fit those qualifications to a T. Even American Idol judge/songwriter extraordinaire Kara DioGuardi cowrote a song here, "I'm Not An Angel", and it's good.
I not only hear Pat Benatar, 80s Heart (not so much their 70s work), but also even forgotten, former Atlantic 80s female-fronted band Fiona...BUT Halestorm crank up the decibels and dark drama, and sharpen the edges 10-fold, almost in metal territory, yet they keep their tunefulness intact...Lzzy's got a voice that can knock over barriers, no doubt about it.
Yes, they are quite mainstream and commercial, BUT Halestorm have more going for them than just being the next female-fronted radio rock band, the next Evanescence...unfortunately, the production is too slick to endear them to L7 fans or Babes In Toyland fans. I can see through these shortcomings and get passed categorization and radio formats, and just see a band for what they truly are and their potential...unfortunately, many people cannot, going by radio formats and just what's spoonfed to them on VH1 and Metal Shop...I hope they evolve, but they might get stuck in a corner unfortunately, cuz Howard Benson's hyperslick production is not doing them any favours. Sorry. Good record, better than expected, not a fan of commercial slickness tho.
10 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Great Album, Better Live! Jun 26, 2009
By Jefferson Oliver
"an enthusiast of music, movies and books"
I saw Halestorm last night in Charleston and did they rock hard. Amazingly talented band, the drum solo they did in the middle was awesome. The live version of Familiar Taste Of Poison was incredible.
I've seen mentions of comparisons to Pat Benatar & Heart but the band / performer that came to my mind most listening to and seeing them is Joan Jett. Lzzy has the growl and attitude, the guitarist was tight, her brother has the drums on lockdown and he and the bassist are in the pocket, holding it all together. The production is a bit slick but they are able to recreate almost all the production live so I won't fault them that.
Buy the album and you will not regret it. As someone else said, next time they come round I do believe they won't be playing a small club but a larger venue.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Nothing short of BRILLIANT! Nov 02, 2009
By Luke J. Hollands
I am super excited to review this album. I love nothing more than getting finding a new band that completely exceeds all expectations and Halestorm certainly do that.
The album kicks off with a rocking lead of 'Its Not You' and it carries on from there. Lead singer Lzzy has a strong voice with good character, she has depth and shadow in her voice that isn't found often these days. I'm not really into the whole' Screamo' thing when it comes to the harder style of music, I like when the girls sing, and boy does she.
Other highlights are the unforgettable 'Familiar Taste Of Poison' it's haunted me for days, and I also youtubed the video featuring the True Blood cast...
Possibly my fave track would have to be 'Innocence', there's something about the song that keeps me coming back to it.
Truely a standout album, people have been calling them the 'new' Evanesence, I don't think that at all, Lzzy's vice is miles away from Amy Lee's, the music may sound a little like the now defunct band but it has more commercial quality.
I just ordered my second copy for my best friend for christmas....thats how much I am into Halesotrm.
Well done guys (and girl)
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Back to the 80's metal! Sep 26, 2009
By Kimberly A. Hanks
"80's metal momma"
I love this CD! Being a metal lover of 80's music, this was refreshing to hear! Lzzy Hale has an awesome voice! Nice to hear a good female singer in a genre dominated by men! Being a single 40 year old mom, the lyrics are empowering! HA! Would recommend highly!
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