Rate Their Discography #1: House Of Lords

[AlphaMale]

Another thread I've been meaning to start for awhile is to get everyone's ratings for "X" bands whole discography. It will be interesting to see what disc(s) people find the strongest and which are the weakest. So while listening to the brand new House Of Lords disc "Indestructible", I decided to make them the first band to rate.

 

So to all who are fans of the band and have heard their discs, can you throw a rating down on their entire studio discography? Thanks in advance and RAWK ON!!!

 

History of the band (courtesy of wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Lords_(band)

 

HOUSE OF LORDS

 

House of Lords was formed in 1987 by former Angel member and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria after his solo project Giuffria. After listening to demos - originally intended for Giuffria's third record - a record deal with Gene Simmons' company Simmons Record was agreed upon, on Simmon's condition that the band's name be changed (to House of Lords) and a new lead singer recruited. James Christian thus replaced David Glen Eisley, after Christian was suggested by ex-Giuffria and Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright, after having worked together in L.A. Rocks.

 

House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria with a lower keyboard mix. The album received critical acclaim and the band toured with both Cheap Trick and the Scorpions in 1989.

 

The album featured one major hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 No. 58). The Stan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but despite MTV airplay, failed to chart. After touring, original guitarist Lanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by ex Shark Island's Michael Guy.

 

Their next effort was 1990s Sahara and featured a list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came from Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. Deliberately more guitar-orientated than the debut, the album hit No. 120 on the charts and in the wake of the successful single "Can't Find My Way Home" (a Blind Faith cover) was certified platinum in 1991. The single & video also did well on Album Rock radio peaking at No. 10. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit hitting No. 72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after, bassist Chuck Wright and drummer Ken Mary left the band.

 

1992's release Demons Down, described by Christian as his favorite release, features Dennis Chick (guitars), ex Quiet Riot bassist Sean McNabb and veteran Tommy Aldridge as well as Christian and Giuffria. The album spawned two singles, the title track and the ballad "What's Forever For" . The band broke up in 1993 despite recording demos to shop for a new label. After the band broke up, guitarist Dennis Chick joined Freak of Nature, the band formed by Mike Tramp after the break-up of White Lion. Chick played on both of their studio albums, released in 1993 and 1994.

 

After legal delays over the rights to the band name the group reformed in 2000, featuring an extended line up of Christian, Giuffria, Cordola, Guy, Mary, and Wright, although Guy soon departed.

 

Two years later The Power and the Myth was finished, but it was 2004 before it was released by Frontiers Records. The album marked the return of Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary, but is the first not to feature Giuffria, who had left the project with keyboard work done by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips. House of Lords contacted Jeff Kent to take over the writing of lyrics and melodies due to the band's lowest scores since its inception. After Jeff Kent was finished, the band scored 96% on the 2006 CD World Upside Down with 10 of Kent's Lyrical and melodic compositions, and 97% of the 2008 CD Come to My Kingdom with 13 of Kent's Lyrical and melodic compositions.

 

After a further reunion in 2005 for the Firefest festival in the UK, House of Lords released a new album, World Upside Down, adding songwriter Jeff Kent/melody & lyric writer and keyboardist, guitarist Jimi Bell, bassist Chris McCarvill, and drummer B.J. Zampa. Kent also played all the keyboard parts on the 2005 Frontier Record release.

 

A live album Live in the UK was released in January 2007.

 

In 2008, the band released their sixth studio album Come to My Kingdom. The album featured the same line-up as World Upside Down, and was produced by frontman James Christian and frequent collaborator Jeff Kent (who played bass prior to McCarvill's joining), who also co-wrote most all of the album's vocal melodies and lyrics. Bassist Chris McCarvill left the band just before the CTMK release due to prior touring commitments with Dokken. He was replaced by Matt McKenna who recorded bass for the band's next album Cartesian Dreams and performed on all the Come to My Kingdom tour dates. The group embarked on a world tour of 39 cities throughout Europe, Brazil, and the United States, commencing between March–July 2008, including main stage performances at Hard in Rio, Rocklahoma and the South Texas Rockfest festivals.

 

On September 18, 2009, the band's seventh studio album Cartesian Dreams was released. Although bass was recorded by Matt McKenna, Chris McCarvill has rejoined the band following the recording and played bass on the supporting tour for the album in September–November 2009. Jeff Kent has produced the album along with Christian, although this time around he didn't contribute any songwriting to the album.

 

On July 26, 2011, it was announced that the band will be releasing their eighth studio album Big Money on September 23, 2011, in Europe and September 27 in North America. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 album Come to My Kingdom, including returning bassist Chris McCarvill, and will be promoted with a European tour in October 2011, the band's first tour since 2009.

 

In 2014 House of Lords released their ninth studio album, Precious Metal. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 album Come to My Kingdom.

 

In April 2015 it was announced that House of Lords tenth studio album Indestructible would be released in the EU on June 5 and June 9 in North America. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 album Come to My Kingdom, this line-up celebrating ten years together.

 

In addition to announcing an appearance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo (MI), Italy on 12 April 2015, jameschristian.com states 'a European tour in September, with a very special surprise show to be announced soon. More details soon!'

 

Band members

 

Current members

 

James Christian - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1988-1993, 2000-present)

Jimi Bell - guitar (2005-present)

Jeff Kent - keyboards, bass, backing vocals, songwriting (2005-present)

B.J. Zampa - drums, backing vocals (2005-present)

Chris McCarvill - bass, backing vocals (2005-2008, 2009-present)

Jeff Batter - Keyboards

 

Former members

 

Gregg Giuffria - keyboards, backing vocals (1987–1993, 2000–2004)

Ken Mary - drums, backing vocals (1987–1991, 2000–2005)

Chuck Wright - bass, backing vocals (1987–1991, 2000–2005)

BamBam, drums, backing vocals (1993–1994)

Lanny Cordola - guitar, backing vocals (1987–1990, 2000–2005)

Robert Marcello - guitar, backing vocals (2009–2010, 2009–2010)

David Glen Eisley - lead vocals (1987-1988)

Michael Guy - guitar, backing vocals (1990–1991, 2000)

Tommy Aldridge - drums, backing vocals (1991–1993)

Dennis Chick - guitar, backing vocals (1991–1993)

Sean McNabb - bass, backing vocals (1991–1993)

Matt McKenna - bass, backing vocals (2008–2009)

 

Discography

 

Studio albums

 

House of Lords - 1988 (Simmons/RCA)

Sahara - 1990 (Simmons/RCA)

Demons Down - 1992 (PolyGram)

The Power and the Myth - 2004 (Dead Line/Frontiers)

World Upside Down - 2006 (Frontiers)

Come to My Kingdom - 2008 (Blistering/Frontiers)

Cartesian Dreams - 2009

Big Money - 2011 (Frontiers)

Precious Metal - 2014 (Frontiers)

Indestructible - 2015 (Frontiers)

[heavyharmonies]

Why not make it a poll question asking "Which Da Best" to quantify it...

[The Rocker]

Huge fan of this band(top 5 for me)

[AlphaMale]

By the way, if you want.... we could all get to reviewing each CD one by one and rating them. I'm just bored and we need some action up in here!!

[AlphaMale]

Why not make it a poll question asking "Which Da Best" to quantify it...

 

I meant to do that. Haha. And my brain forgot.

[AlphaMale]

Why not make it a poll question asking "Which Da Best" to quantify it...

DONE!!

[Geoff]

Haven't done the new one yet, but when I have thrown an initial rating at it I'll fill this one in.

[lettard]

all filled out,Demons Down wins hands down for me,but they have only ever done 1 real stinker disc and we all know what that pile of s***e was called

[Geoff]

Good discography with 'Demons Down' just edging out the debut by fractions of a point.

1. House Of Lords - Demons Down - 83

2. House Of Lords - House Of Lords - 83

3. House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom - 81

4. House Of Lords - World Upside Down - 79

5. House Of Lords - Sahara - 79

6. House Of Lords - Cartesian Dreams - 77

7. House Of Lords - Precious Metal - 75

8. House Of Lords - Indestructible - 74

9. House Of Lords - Big Money - 71

10. House Of Lords - The Power And The Myth - 61

[Nightrain]

I think 'Demons Down' is a clear winner but the follow up could be 'World Upside Down' I guess. 'Come to My Kingdom' is great too. Haven't rated all their disco yet but an interesting project I'll come back later

[Geoff]

I think 'Demons Down' is a clear winner but the follow up could be 'World Upside Down' I guess. 'Come to My Kingdom' is great too. Haven't rated all their disco yet but an interesting project I'll come back later

 

What's wrong with the debut?

[Glen]

Strangely the 2 HOL I havent heard are Demons Down and Power and The Myth.

 

The best and the worst lol.

 

Need to check them out to see if this is true.

[Geoff]

Strangely the 2 HOL I havent heard are Demons Down and Power and The Myth.

 

The best and the worst lol.

 

Need to check them out to see if this is true.

 

You have never in your life heard 'Demons Down?' How and why??

[Glen]

 

Strangely the 2 HOL I havent heard are Demons Down and Power and The Myth.

 

The best and the worst lol.

 

Need to check them out to see if this is true.

 

You have never in your life heard 'Demons Down?' How and why??

 

 

Dunno, just havent.

[Glen]

I tell u why - i reckon it's because I heard Sahara and wasnt overly impressed so didnt bother with Demons Down or Power........

 

then picked up with HOL again in 2006 when they released WUD.

[Geoff]

Yeah, 'Sahara' is pretty uninspiring, though I will say that the title track is awesome and the album does actually house my favourite HOL song, which ironically is not written by the band. But I absolutely love 'Remember my name.'

[AlphaMale]

I am working on my grades. Seems to be pretty similar to Geoff's.

[AlphaMale]

Good discography with 'Demons Down' just edging out the debut by fractions of a point.

 

1. House Of Lords - Demons Down - 83

2. House Of Lords - House Of Lords - 83

3. House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom - 81

4. House Of Lords - World Upside Down - 79

5. House Of Lords - Sahara - 79

6. House Of Lords - Cartesian Dreams - 77

7. House Of Lords - Precious Metal - 75

8. House Of Lords - Indestructible - 74

9. House Of Lords - Big Money - 71

10. House Of Lords - The Power And The Myth - 61

Mine:

 

 

1. Demon's Down               85%
2. World Upside Down          83%
3. House Of Lords             81%
4. Sahara                     79%
5. Come To My Kingdom         78%
6. Cartesian Dreams           76%
7. Precious Metal             73%
8. Big Money                  72%
9. Indestructible             71%
10. The Power And The Myth    59%
  

[Nightrain]

@geoff

no problem with the debut, I rated it yesterday and got around 80.5% for it. I just assume WUD and CTMK will win it by 3-4% but I'm surprised to see HoL unable to score 90%. I'll check out Demons Down again asap and see how it turns out after all these years, I'm assuming it should be around 84-89%

[JamesEagle]

I'm not a huge House Of Lords fan, but for me the debut is head and shoulders above anything else for two reasons: "Hearts Of The World" and "Edge Of Your Life". Two of my favourite songs of all time. Rock perfection.

[Geoff]

I'm not a huge House Of Lords fan, but for me the debut is head and shoulders above anything else for two reasons: "Hearts Of The World" and "Edge Of Your Life". Two of my favourite songs of all time. Rock perfection.

 

And 'Call My Name' and even 'I wanna be loved.' It's got some of their best songs, but also solid fillers which many of their other CDs don't have as obviously.

 

@ Russ - yeah, jeez, those lists are pretty similar. Our top 5 and bottom 5 are both the same, and in a pretty similar order. I suspect that in terms of this band, most people would probably have roughly the same order.

[AlphaMale]

@geoff

no problem with the debut, I rated it yesterday and got around 80.5% for it. I just assume WUD and CTMK will win it by 3-4% but I'm surprised to see HoL unable to score 90%. I'll check out Demons Down again asap and see how it turns out after all these years, I'm assuming it should be around 84-89%

 

80.5%? I gave it a 81%

 

Great metal minds think alike bro!

[Glen]

 

Good discography with 'Demons Down' just edging out the debut by fractions of a point.

 

1. House Of Lords - Demons Down - 83

2. House Of Lords - House Of Lords - 83

3. House Of Lords - Come To My Kingdom - 81

4. House Of Lords - World Upside Down - 79

5. House Of Lords - Sahara - 79

6. House Of Lords - Cartesian Dreams - 77

7. House Of Lords - Precious Metal - 75

8. House Of Lords - Indestructible - 74

9. House Of Lords - Big Money - 71

10. House Of Lords - The Power And The Myth - 61

Mine:

 

 

1. Demon's Down               85%
2. World Upside Down          83%
3. House Of Lords             81%
4. Sahara                     79%
5. Come To My Kingdom         78%
6. Cartesian Dreams           76%
7. Precious Metal             73%
8. Big Money                  72%
9. Indestructible             71%
10. The Power And The Myth    59%
  

I think both of you are kind to Precious Metal, Big Money and Indestructable......none of those 3 did much for me.

 

Still not heard Demons Down