Album Review: Lauren Harris - 'Calm Before The Storm'

Sitting before me is a pile of CDs waiting to be reviewed from bands with names like Black Asylum, Blood Ceremony and Ogre – quite a morbid affair when you really take a minute to think about it. Fortunately the chaps at KYS have decided to throw me a curveball and send me the debut Lauren Harris CD Calm Before The Storm.       

Lauren Harris for those of you who aren’t aware is the daughter of famed Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris. She is another addition to the generation of youth who are making a name for themselves off the success of daddy - *cough* Miley Cyrus of Hannah Montana and Trace Cyrus of Metro Station. Which leaves me asking the question that I’m sure most are keen to know: what exactly is the appeal behind Lauren Harris?

Well after a solid 8 and ½ minutes of listening to her debut release I can already say: I don’t have a fucking clue. When you think about it this girl has been opening for Iron Maiden in Europe, North America, South America, India, Japan, New Zealand and Australia – madness. As I listen to more of the CD however, I start to feel sorry for Lauren who it seems has been teamed with a bunch of washed up rockers from yester-year.

A further look into her co-writers confirms this:

- Giuliano Gizzi and Mark Ranking of Scottish band Gun.

- Del Bromham and Steve Gadd of English band Stray.

- Tommy McWilliams – credited for working with Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin. 

Coupled with a very basic vocal range that would struggle go beyond even two octaves, it’s very hard to find much to rejoice over here. Even album opener Steal Your Fire has one of the most blatant AC/DC rip-offs about 3min in, almost directly phrasing their classic For Those About To Rock (We Salute You). Only From The Bottom To The Top manages to muster any feeling of emotion, while the rest of the tracks seem to be a standard rock affair with their running length fitting perfectly between the 3:30 to 4:30 radio friendly window.

While attempts have obviously been made to create an obtainable pop rock album, it is clear that there is no spark within this current lineup to leave anything in the annals of history. High end production and perfect performances are still no match for a well written song!

1. Steal Your Fire - 4:33    
2. Your Turn - 3:43    
3. Get Over It - 3:51
4. Like It or Not - 3:31
5. From The Bottom To The Top - 3:43
6. Let Us Be - 3:55
7. Hurry Up - 4:20
8. Come On Over - 4:11
9. Hit Or Miss - 3:56
10. See Through - 3:47
11. You Say - 4:34
12. Natural Thing - 3:23