Harem Scarem’s first three albums are classics in my book. (Harem Scarem, Moodswings and Voice Of Reason.) After that the next two albums became less Melodic rock and more alt/pop, especially when the band changed their name to Rubber for two albums. The last two albums Higher and Weight Of The World are good albums, but I think that they are a case of give the fans and record company what they want and not particularly what they band want to do. 

You may ask why I mention Harem Scarem at the start of a review of the Darren Smith Band album? Well the reason is simple Darren Smith was the drummer on the first five Harem Scarem albums and even sang lead vocals on Mood Swings on the track Sentimental Boulevard.  Any one expecting more of the same is in for a big surprise (as I was). Darren has written a very modern up-tempo “ALT/POP” album and as such it very good just not what I was expecting! Smith has even pulled in Harem Scarem main man Harry Hess to produce the whole shooting match as well, hence the album sounds like an alt version of Rubber era Harem Scarem and as such has massive cross over potential to a younger audience as I can imagine the first two tracks, the heavy but catchy  It All Comes Back and Keep The Spirit Alive both being played on Scuzz (satellite music channel).

The album continues on in a similar vein with When I Was You and. King For A Day, whereas There you go is a modern ballad and we even get a punk version of the Nazareth classic Love Hurts which unfortunately does nowt for me and in the case of Why I Do, we get a track sounds like a leftover from one of the later Harem Scarem albums!

Keep The Spirit Alive can be recommended to anybody who like the last two Harem Scarem albums and to anybody who has a thing for the nu-melodic rock bands. As for my self I’ve grown to like this album over the last week or so and that is always a good sign! 

PS MTM film a video for one of the first two tracks and send it to Scuzz and watch the sales soar!

Let us know your views on 'Keep The Spirit Alive'

Track List

It All Comes Back
Keep The Spirit Alive
There You Go
When I Was You
King For A Day
Love Hurts
Still On My Radio
Everybody Knows
Tragedy
Black Star
Why Do I
So Low
Taking On Water

Line Up

Darren Smith: Vocals
Mike Hall: Guitars
Pat Carrano: Drums
Stan Miczek: Bass