This is the first album I hear from House of Shakira and I must admit they're good. Their style is classic rock in the style of Def Leppard etc. Andreas Eklund has a really good voice and it suits the music perfectly. Songs on this album are melodic and quite diverse. There's everything from harder rock to more subtle ballad like compositions.

House of Shakira's main strength is catchy choruses. Each song has quite an addictive chorus, that has a felicitous vocal melody. The quality of songs on this album is really impressive... the songs aren't humdrum but fairly successful. This album is a pleasure to listen (again and again).

Of all songs my personal favourites are 'You Are' and 'Sunshine Song'. Also the other songs are good, but these drew my attention immediately with the first listening (also subsequent listens have indicated them to be the highlights of this album). The guitar solos are melodic and very apposite. For example, there's one Steve Vai like part in the solo of 'You Are'.

Production on this album has been done well — there's not much to complain (except for a few minor details, which depend on personal preference). Overall this album is definitely one of the best melodic rock albums of this year (so far). I recommend this album to the fans of melodic rock... also others should check this out.

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- MAGE (13.07.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Eklund, Andreas: Lead Vocals Andersson, Tony: Drums Lundström, Anders: Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Schelander, Per: Bass, Fretless Bass, Keyboard Programming, Vocals Hallstensson, Mats: Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Additional musicians: Eriksson, Mikael "Zifa": Vocals Schelander, Jörgen: Keyboard Alfakir, Nassim: Percussion on "Chicago Blue" Plynning, Peter: Percussion
Producer:	House of Shakira
Mixing by:	Bauman, Andreas
Mastering by:	Lorentzson, Mia

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Ain't Your Crowd 02. Uncontrolled 03. You Are 04. Hey Lord 05. Black and Blue 06. Creep 07. Black Barn 08. State of Grace 09. Landing 10. Celebration Bound 11. Sunshine Song 12. Chicago Blue