Hush are Norwegian based  band that have previously released two albums, firstly 'If You Smile' back in 1998 and then the imaginatively titled '2' in 2001. Both of those albums featured upbeat bouncy AOR/melodic rock with slightly glam overtones, the second album being a slightly better collection of songs. But all of that was the thick end of six years ago, and things have changed somewhat with the band over the intervening time. The first you notice on opening the cd booklet is the long hair and bike jacket image of the debut and to a lesser extend the second album has gone, to be replaced by a more 'street' look. It  also transpires that band has acquired a new rhythm section and, on even closer inspection, it becomes plain that there has also been a slight  change in songwriter. On the first two albums the song writing credits were shared between  Patrick Simonsen  and Kenneth Kristiansen, however for Mirage, Simonsen takes sole responsibility for all of the tracks on offer.

On first listen it is obvious that the image is not the only thing that has been modernized within Hush. Out have gone the more obvious AOR/melodic rock influences and the music can now best be described as modern rock which bears comparisons to U2, Velvet Revolver and Audioslave amongst others. Thankfully the band have not thrown the baby out with the bath water totally however as they have managed to both modernize their sound yet keep it melodic at the same time.  Take opener 'Is This...?' which has echoes of U2 within it and also nods the head slightly in Pink Floyd's direction, or perhaps the title track itself which proves to be bass driven rock a la Velvet Revolver... only better

However this is not simply an album of out and out rock tracks, Hush manage to incorporate more than a fair share of ballads into proceedings.  'When You Fall' sees the band take the foot off the gases and deliver a good old power ballad that has large double of the band’s old sound mixed with the Chili Peppers-esque guitar tones and turns out to be simply a great song. Likewise 'Walk On Through' is a slow burner of a  ballad that gets better the more you listen to it.

With a great mix of up-tempo modern rockers and cool ballads this reinvention of Hush has proved to be extremely successful. It can only be hoped that the band reap some well earned rewards from what is an excellent album.

Let us know your views on 'Mirage'

Track List

Is This.....?
Mirage
Hell Or High Water
When You Fall
The Dark Inside The Light
Walk On Through
Just Me
Enemy
What Have We Become?
Lies & Rumors
Till We Become The Sun

Line Up

Patrick Simonsen - Vocals/Guitar
Kenneth Kristiansen - Guitar
Knut Dalbakk - Bass
Raven Alfheim - Drums