The Swedish outfit known as Houston was an entirely new discovery for me but a most pleasant one as this deftly executed slab of melodic hard rock with prominent AOR overtones to it is an uplifting and memorable experience. Although the second half is slightly better than the first and that things do not start to feel truly passionate and heartfelt until three songs in, this is generally a strong album containing hooks and earworms aplenty.

 

Whether it is the crisp yet warm sound and the fact that it is not over-produced or the way in which the sparkling synthesizers complement the vocals and crunchy riffs, there is just something special about "IV" that brilliantly captures an authentic 80s vibe. You can even hum the guitar solos and also dance to them should you fancy doing that. Yeah, this is a dynamic offering boasting some gloriously catchy tunes and I would love to see these guys perform live someday. This stuff is neither original nor innovative but that is hardly the band’s intention anyway and all you wonderful fans of Survivor, Foreigner, and Journey out there really ought to check "IV" out as soon as humanly possible.

https://www.facebook.com/Houstonsweden/