It's all change in the world of House of Shakira; out are Per Schelander (who helped pen 4 of tracks on offer) and Tony Andersson who are replaced with a new rhythm section consisting of Basse Blyberg (bass) and Martin Larsson (drums.) However, perhaps the key change is the recruitment of former Mind's Eye vocalist Andreas Novak and his style has taken the band down a rougher less polished path which is arguably more interesting than much of their previous work although "Brick Wall Falling" does sound worryingly like MTV era Genesis!
HoS is by no means an immediate record and it takes a few spins to get to grips with the pleasures within songs such as "Changes in Mind" or "Zodiac Maniac" but when they do they stick with you for the rest of day. Some of the songs are much more immediate like "Carry My Load" which would possibly have been a single back in the day, probably with a zany video set on a beach..
If I had a criticism of HoS it would be that it has a couple of songs too many but overall it is good to have them back and hopefully it won't be five years before the next House of Shakira album.
Track Listing
1. Brick Wall Falling 3:45
2. Changes in Mind 3:30
3. Carry My Load 4:07
4. Zodiac Maniac 4:21
5. Fractions of Love 3:22
6. Midnight Hunger 3:48
7. Endless Night 4:12
8. All Aboard! 3:43
9. What Goes Around… 3:28
10. I'll be Gone 4:20
11. Voice in the Void 4:27
12. Lost In Transition 3:37
13. Out Of My Head 2:52