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Artist: Harem Scarem

Title: Overload

Harem Scarem Homepage

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Category: AOR

Year: 2005

Label: Frontiers Records (Italy)

Catalog Number: FR CD 241

Personnel

Harry Hess Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Pete Lesperance Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Barry Donaghy Bass, Vocals
Creighton Doane Drums
Darren Smith Backing Vocals

Tracks

1.	Dagger	3:59	Listen
2.	Afterglow	4:12	Listen
3.	Rise And Fall	3:43	Listen
4.	Don't Come Easy	4:09	Listen
5.	Can't Live With You	3:35	Listen
6.	Forgive & Forget	3:55	Listen
7.	All You're Getting	3:37	Listen
8.	Leading Me On	3:41	Listen
9.	Understand You	3:25	Listen
10.	Same Mistakes	3:26	Listen
11.	Wishing European Bonus Track	2:54	Listen
Total Running Time:		40:36

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Harem Scarem CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Harem Scarem are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: TIM (2)

Date: May 26, 2005 at 11:01

I see some have put their copies on eBay already . This is somewhere between the "VOR" and "WotW" albums and takes a few listens before anything other than "Afterglow","Cant Live With You" & "Understand You" stand out, but it's worth sticking with. Despite the annoying cymbals drowning out every chorus, and the fillers ("Same Mistakes", "Rise & Fall") this still contains some masterful songwriting. A true grower of an album, but lacking a touch in variety and slightly off their best IMO. 8/10.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Jez	Date: May 26, 2005 at 12:31
As mentioned before ,I'm not the biggest HS fan ever, although their debut is still one of the best Melodic rock albums in my collection. As with other recent HS releases, this is a different beast and does take time and effort to really appreciate. TIM(2)is spot on when he says that this is a grower, although good I would say that it isn't as good as the last couple of albums. Highlights for me 'Don't Come Easy' 'Dagger' and the bonus track 'Wishing' (which is the Jap bonus track from 'Higher')

From: zacharyamelie	Date: June 3, 2005 at 21:06
After reading a few dozen personal reviews, I was very skeptical about this one. I love the two first releases and the last two. The middle years ('95 - '00) are to be forgotten IMO. Other than Harry Hess's voice sounding a little strained on a few tracks, the album is brilliant. Since WOTW, they seem to do no wrong. Can't wait for the next one.

From: CoRuÑaRocks

Date: June 5, 2005 at 15:09

Bueno, yo de esta banda no habia escuchado nada... pero me sorprendieron los comentarios del mood swings o el harem scarem.Entonces me bajé de la pagina de la discografica unos trozos de canciones y no me disgustó. Creo que eran del Higher. La verdad es q me hubiera gustado conseguir el mood para escuchar lo mejor de este grupo, pero conseguí este disco antes... y mi opinion es q suena muy moderno, tiene toques interesantes en cuanto a la melodia, pero para mi es muy cercano al Nu-metal.

From: CoRuÑaRocks

Date: June 5, 2005 at 15:14

Aun sigo con la incognita de saber como es el Mood... pero tengo q decir que aunque muy cercano en sonido al nuevo metal q se lleva hoy, creo q tienen un toque a lo q debieron ser en sus principios (y lo digo sin haber escuchado apenas 1 cancion acustica). De todas formas teniendo en cuenta los desastres de las bandas de hard rock q intentar sonar más actuales (ejemplo Europe, que me han decepcionado bastante con su SFTD), y creo q este disco se merece un 7.

From: Kip

Date: June 7, 2005 at 14:21

Although this is no where near my favorite Harem Scarem album it has its moments. The overall feel is angrier/louder for the most part than what I'm accustomed to expecting from these guys. Many songs have a modern feel good for todays radio. Afterglow is a good rocking tune that sticks with me, but the two best tracks come in the middle of the album, "Forgive and Forget" has a killer riff and catchy chorus and "All You're Getting" is another solid tune. "Understand You" is also top notch 7.5/10

From: Geoff

Date: June 28, 2005 at 21:16

I can only echo the fact that this is a grower. First listen I was unimpressed, but wary of it's potential. I love this disc now. 'Afterglow', 'Don't come easy', 'Forgive and forget'... and to be honest, every single track here is awesome, aside from 'Rise and fall'. Not keen on that one, but I love the rest. The album is aggressive, but I'm ecstatic to see no Rubber influences, as there were on the last 2 excellent CDs. To sum it up, this is a top-notch disc and will only grow on me even more.

From: metalmaniac777

Date: July 11, 2005 at 21:27

HAREM SCAREM have have been around awhile now, favorites of the melodic rock scene, and have accumulated an impressive discography, but nobody will mistake this latest offering as the band's best. That said, it's certainly not their worst either, falling somewhere in the middle. As has been mentioned, this CD is a grower, but there's no denying that the hooks & harmonies aren't as immediate as they've been in the past. Bottom line, it's not an instant classic, but neither is it a load of crap.

From: MelodicMan

Date: July 12, 2005 at 17:35

Ok guys, after listenig to it 10 times, I decided not to post my comments on this one, but I changed my mind cause I have to ask you one thing: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU SEE IN THIS BAND THAT I DON'T? Cause for me, Overload is another 38 minutes album from an uninspired band that makes exactly the same album over and over, and with the exception of "Don't Come Easy" and "Leading Me On" I really can't find a decent song here.

From: MelodicMan	Date: July 12, 2005 at 17:39
Just to add, I don't pretend start a war here, and sincerely respect the fact that you guys like this band and this album, but I really can't find anything enjoyable from HS with the exception of their first 2 albums.

From: Geoff

Date: July 12, 2005 at 20:44

I also wish not to start an argument, but if s/t sounds like 'Mood swings' I have no testicles. And if either of them sound like 'VOR' my penis is 2 inches long. And if any of those 3 sound like 'Karma Cleansing' or 'Higher'... well tie my ass up and enter! Harem Scarem pride themselves on a huge variation in their discography. No 2 albums sound alike (bar slight similarities between 'Believe' and 'Mood swings') and any fan of the band, or the band members themselves will tell you that.

From: MelodicMan

Date: July 13, 2005 at 9:14

Well Geoff, I agree with you about "ST", "Mood swings" (both great btw), "VOR" (so bad, my opinion) and maybe "Karma Cleansing", but I really can't see any differences starting with "Big Bang Theory". 4 full studio albums that sounds like one IMO. Not a bad thing at all, I wish Extreme had recorded 4 Pornographittis for example. But my main problem here is the music itself. No balls, no hooks, only 3 minutes nu-breed songs. But that is only my opinion, man. I respect yours.

From: JF

Date: July 19, 2005 at 21:13

Para mi gusto lo que resalta más es trabajo de Pete, es lo mejor que escuchado desde el voice of reason, aunque por momentos es repetitivo. Por supuesto no llega al nivel de los dos primeros discos. Lo que no me agrada es cuando Harry fuerza demasiado la voz y prácticamente esta gritando. Aquí demuestra que no tiene una voz para cantar un estilo demasiado agresivo. En cuanto al disco en general no me desagrada siempre innovando quizás les faltó unos coros más pegajosos.

From: JF	Date: July 19, 2005 at 21:17
Mis favoritas son la 1,2,7,10, 11 y sobre todo Understand You. Lastima que ese coro (que me hace recordar al primer disco) suene solo al final de la canción.

From: meradona	Date: August 20, 2005 at 4:58
sigo siendo un fan de este grupo, pero sigo(seguimos) esperando que de una vez se den cuenta que queremos otro mood swings o algo parecido, me parece que poco a poco se estan perdiendo, pero aun asi es un trabajo decente.

From: T-Bone	Date: August 22, 2005 at 18:22
Although I'm a big Harem Scarem fan, I could barely make it through this release without forwarding to the next track after 20 seconds of the previous. They need to get back into the Mood Swings sound

From: Lennie

Date: August 24, 2005 at 7:35

I agree with Kip and Geoff on this one......Endure and you will be rewarded! First spin, dubious..certainly no WOTW! 5th spin growing on me....10th spin, mmm this aint at all bad....15th spin, hey at last its clicked, love it to death now. Intense, dark, moody, Hess in awesome form..great little guitar moments and harmonies which reveal themselves. Personal faves, tracks 1,2,6,7,8 (great!!) and 11. PS why the continuous raves about just MS?? Higher and WOTW are at least as good in my book.

From: z4roxx	Date: November 8, 2005 at 11:46
After 4 tracks I’ve said:”Wow!another great one!”but the rest is too modern and weak for my tastes,I really prefer Hess solo release than this one.In this disc I appreciate guitar arrangements with good and pretty original variations,3 or 4 very good tunes but nothing more.It’s a must if you love this band(as me)but it’s among their worst works indeed…

From: Kip

Date: January 6, 2006 at 6:51

I just wanted to add that I think I know why this was hard to swallow at first. The first 4 tracks hit me like snowflake, I feel em for a second or two then its gone. I put this thing on random today and got tracks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 first and I was sitting here scratching my head wondering why I don't spin it often enough... then I heard the rest of the album. Tracks 6, 7 and 9 are still my top 3 picks here. Even with the first 4 annoying songs its still a good album. 7/10

From: elmomias

Date: June 24, 2006 at 6:25

PAra mi este es un buen disco.Explotan la radio formula de canciones cortas con estructuras repetitivas.Las mayoria de las canciones son buenas,pero individualmente,no como disco.Mood Swings es un buen disco por que tiene personalidad propia como tal(aparte de que las canciones son buenas).Este disco tiene buenas canciones,pero le falta algo más .Para mi las mejores "Dagger;Don't Come Easy ; Can't Live With You ; Forgive & Forget".

From: elmomias

Date: June 24, 2006 at 6:32

Sus 2 primeros discos muy buenos,pero no van a repetirlos otra vez.A mi me gustaria que se explayasen más,que le dieran una vuelta de tuerca a la composición y a la armonia(es lo que hicieron con mood swings y VOR).Su problema es querer triunfar en USA,y alli hay demasiada radioformula,demasiada preocupación por sumarte a lo que está de moda.Ese es el camino que han tomado desde Rubber. ¡Esperemos su siguiente disco y que nos sorprenda!

From: jmikep	Date: June 29, 2006 at 19:05
I finally got around to getting my head wrapped around this CD, and I decided that I only like about 6 out of the 11 songs, and one of those is debateable. "Afterglow" is the definite favorite. After "Forgive & Forget", it just goes straight down hill, with maybe a slight bumb up during "Same Mistakes".

From: meradona	Date: November 26, 2006 at 6:27
acabo de escuchar el human nature y ahora no digais que no. Suena bastante mejor que todos los ultimos trabajos desde voice of a reason, gran disco, aviso a todos los antiguos fans de este grupo darle una oportunidad al HUMAN NATURE, creo que no os defraudara.

From: Metalmusicman

Date: December 11, 2006 at 10:45

There seem to be many mixed opinions and emotions over this one, mine being no exception. If you read any of my reviews for this band, it's no secret that i think they are amazing. I am one of the few who didn't even mind, but welcomed the heavier darker side shown from "Voice Of Reason" through "Big Bang Theory". Having said that, there are elements of this that are as uaual simply brilliant. Unfortunately, I feel it is weak in spots and not up to par. Still a very good album.

From: YNGWIEVIKING	Date: August 13, 2007 at 5:12
THEIR BEST SINCE "big bang" So HAREM SCAREM fans , you need that CD All the good things are here the voice , the prod and the Guitar playing ! The QUEEN influences too , so go BUT IT !!!! 88/100

From: Flavio_Gasperini

Date: July 8, 2008 at 11:26

I'm very open-mindend,but this album can't grow that much on me.Love HS, but the sound they wanted to achieve on this record make it so confusing. You see regular Scarem melodies on songs like "Don't Come Easy" and"Can't Live With You",but sometimes is too heavy and depressive and at the same time they try to force "something" melodic on it. But it has also some good points :"Dagger","Rise And Fall" and the mentioned "Don't Come Easy",the most HS track on the album for me.

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