Simon RushworthHouse Of Lords – New World – New Eyes (Frontiers)
Living in a new world?
Looking at life through a fresh pair of eyes?
Nobody bothered to tell James Christian.
Thank the Lords for small mercies.
New World – New Eyes does not, as the rather misleading title suggests, look at melodic rock from a fresh perspective.
In fact, this is the most glorious of AOR throwbacks.
It’s House Of Lords at their hook-laden, FM radio-friendly best.
And after coming so close during the last decade, Christian has finally produced a worthy successor to 1989’s self-titled debut and supreme follow-up Sahara.
New World – New Eyes?
More like Old World – Misty Eyes.
This is an unashamed celebration of melodic rock’s late 80s heyday.
A reassuring reminder of big hair and big choruses viewed through a pair of suitably rose-tinted glasses.
And quite possibly the best record of its type you’ll hear all year.
Much has been made of Frontiers label mates One Desire and their critically acclaimed Midnight Empire.
It’s even being talked about as the AOR album of 2020.
And it’s not at all bad.
But New World – New Eyes is a far superior body of work.
A fresh concentration on keys elevates many of Christian’s finest compositions.
And the decision to work alongside hitmaker Mark Spiro is inspired.
The anthemic One More is a passionate tale of a woman wronged.
Chemical Rush (one of the few songs not to feature Spiro) is a classy Bad English-esque grower.
And Change introduces layer upon layer of immersive melody to usher in a fist-pumping monster of a song.
Jimi Bell’s six string sensibility is just one reason why House Of Lords are enjoying a lengthy Indian summer.
Fifteen years into his stint with the band and Christian’s wingman is soaring.
New World – New Eyes sets the standard.
It’s a timely reminder of melodic rock’s enduring appeal.
And as long as songwriters of the calibre of Christian and Spiro continue to collaborate then the future of the genre is in the safest of hands.
