Houston - 'IV'

It seemed like they drifted away from pure AOR a bit over subsequent years and their impact gradually diminished, in fact I thought it might be all over once Hank started putting solo albums out. But now the old band is back together again, including a return for Ricky Delin on co-writing and production, and the 80s soft-rock keyboard sound is back too. They’ve even reverted to numerical titles, even though it’s not actually their fourth album, but hey, IV / 4 worked for Toto and Foreigner.

I’m not sure if the boxing robe will make a comeback, but the good news is that the band are fighting fit and the new album is a knockout. “You’re Still the Woman” establishes itself behind the jabbing keyboards and is a mid-paced beauty with exquisite harmonies and some lovely melodic guitar soloing. The signature song is probably “Heart of a Warrior”. It’s got that boxer beat and is reminiscent of one those Rocky soundtrack songs, but probably one of the later ones where the Italian Stallion is a bit punch-drunk but can still get up off the canvas to land a triumphant blow.

It’s a mature album and at times there’s a late-night smokiness about it as with the reflective “A Lifetime in a Moment”. On songs like that and “Heartbreaker”, Hank really sounds like a guy that’s been on the ropes but bounced back swinging and he’s ably assisted by some beautiful work from Carl ‘The Hammer’ Hammar on guitar.

There’s plenty energy too and a smooth southpaw switch for the defiant “I Will Not Give in to Despair” to go with the uplifting “Hero” and, even though this album does not go into the last round needing a stoppage, they’ve still got time for a beautiful and uplifting haymaker before the bell with “Into Thin Air”.

Welcome back champs and well done.