JC_AOR

The problem then is that all the conversations get jumbled together and searching/finding information gets more difficult as things are buried within lengthy threads instead of in their own thread. Honestly, I'm not in favor of consolidation like that. Yeah I can definitely see that as a disadvantage too, the lengthy topics can be really difficult to navigate / search through.

The message I was trying to make is that we could look at a way of continuing to promote all of the new bands and new releases, but without 'flooding' the forum with new topics. I would never try to tell someone what is or isn't great music (well, we all do sometimes ?) or what should or shouldn't be posted. I am only suggesting we look at how new topics are presented as it feels a bit like a computer is automatically generating new topics every time there is a new release / press statement. Any thoughts on the suggestions I made previously e.g. combining topics such as press releases or new band teasers?

I can't wait for this. Brilliant band! Love the cover art too.

I totally agree. If you don't like a thread, don't read it. Simple as that. That's exactly what I'm doing. So stop whining and get on with it. I don't know about whining, I though this might turn into a sensible discussion, perhaps about how a compromise can be reached. Some members feel strongly about this. I agree with you - if you don't like a thread then don't read it, though the problem for some more part time / casual users like myself is that an occasional new topic is started about a band that we are passionate about and within a day or two it's at the bottom of page two and nobody sees it to reply. There's too much going on in the music genre sections. I think go ahead and start topics on recommended new bands but accompany the post with a little of your own words to describe what you like about them. Martinsane does this well - I do recognise that. What do you think about a topic called "press releases 2016" or similar to combine a lot of topics, then people who are passionate about a band in there can start their own separate topic for that band/album? Similarly if you are posting an embedded video clip with no accompanying text, is this better suited to the video clips section? I know this is not a perfect solution but it might make the genre sections a lot less busy with new topics and might encourage the more casual forum visitors to engage more. I'm not about to stop visiting or anything - I still love HH and would much rather discuss music here than on FB, but I think some improvements could be made.

I've commented on this in the past and many didn't agree with my views, however I really do feel that the number of topics on new bands is overwhelming and becoming a bit ridiculous. This is not a new issue (happening for a few years now) but becoming more of a problem as time goes by, IMO. Like a few others have said, when I visit the AOR/hard rock section (or any of the other genre sections), all I can see is a dozen or more brand new topics with no (or very few) replies on bands that are new / unheard of and barely a comment to accompany the post as to why the topic is being started. Any replies usually say "meh", "awful" etc. With no actual discussion taking place. Let me be clear though - I am not at all against plugging / promoting new talent but I do think new topics are starting for the sake of it rather than because they are great / highly recommended new bands. It just feels like quantity over quality here these days. IMO not every new band needs their own topic started. I'd rather have a generic topic (eg. "New bands 2016") in which all these new bands are lumped in together, and only start separate topics on the best ones that people feel passionate about. The enormity of new topics is also taking away from the discussion of past classics- which seem to be diluted and bumped way down the list due to all the new band topics being started. I'm not trying to tell people what is or isn't worthy music, and again I am not against promoting new bands. But the way in which this is done needs to preserve the quality of discussions that HH forums have been known for in the past. Yes Facebook has had a huge impact on forum activity, but that cannot be helped whereas implementing posting guidelines is something that can be done to regain the quality of posts and visitor interest here at heavy harmonies. I'm not sure what exactly I mean by posting guidelines but perhaps a limit of x number of new topics per day and encouraging those who start new topics to also start a discussion rather than just copying/pasting a media release or embedding a video with no accompanying comment. What do others think about a generic topic "new bands 2016" or similar? Would be interested to hear ideas from others about this as I would love HH to return to a place a high quality / entertaining discussions rather than an outlet for plugging every single band that emerges from around the globe.

SURRENDER – DEMO 1990/91 Artist: Surrender Title: – Year: 1990/91 Genre: Hard Rock, Melodic Hard Rock Category: 3 Track Demo Format: Cassette Label: – Catalog No: – Comments: O-Card Packaging Collectors Status: Extremely Rare Estimated Value: ~$75-100 AUD Track List 01. Love it Loose 02. Just Like Love 03. Time Will Tell Line-Up & Album Credits Unknown band line-up Recorded at JMC Studios Engineered / Produced by Steve Pomfrey All songs written by Surrender © 90/91 Now this one is a real mystery! I stumbled upon it recently while looking for something else and decided to pick it up based on the cover art, year of release and the fact that it was advertised as being an Aussie band. Apart from the minimal details listed on the packaging, there is absolutely no information out there about this band, not even a mention in Chris Spencer’s ‘Who’s Who of Australian Rock‘. I can only assume from the phone number that the band is from NSW. Despite its demo like production qualities, the three tracks featured on this cassette are really good examples of everything I love about late 80s / early 90s hard rock. In particular ‘Time Will Tell’ is an absolute gem of a track and one that easily ranks among my all time favourite obscure Aussie hard rock songs – pure melodic hard rock bliss! Note that this band has no connection to Aussie metal band Surrender that featured Dave Compton and released a self titled LP in 1984. I did check with Dave about this and he seemed to recall another Aussie band of this name from around 1989-93. Any more information about Surrender would be really appreciated. ☆☆☆ 7wishesmusic.wordpress.com ☆☆☆

Just reading my list again and probably wouldn't change a thing...10 of the very best right there.

That's one of my favourite tunes on the whole album. Yep I agree - love this track!

+1 no killers on this. But no terrible tracks either.

It's actually not too bad a song. I just like their early material a lot more. Could they actually play instruments earlier on? That was the type of garage punk rubbish I'd cross the road to urinate, vomit and spit on it. And if I could get an erection around it I'd throw some sperm on it too... just 'cause of how awful it is. Anyway, long time fan of this band here and I've had this album lined up for 3 weeks now. Unfortunately, I've been training a dude for 3 weeks in a row on Tuesday nights, which is my 'New Release Night.' No excuses this week, though. Their last albums have been increasingly mellow... hoping for something a bit closer to 'Dizzy Up The Girl' this time around. Glad to see them still going. Good band. Well, at least Reznick's tracks are nearly always good. Yeah I've been a fan since DUTG as well. Prior to that I believe they were awful. Gutterflower (I think it was called) was good and in fact they have had plenty of great songs post DUTG. As for the new album I've only given it one spin so far. Admittedly I was a bit distracted with the kids but plan to revisit it this week. My first impression was (as Dan has said) a very polished sound, however style wise I'm not too sure...I felt this was a little too much in the direction of Coldplay or some other modern alt/indie band. But as I said I was really distracted and need to give this some decent spins before I comment further. Following on from this I would like to retract my comment comparing this to Coldplay and the like. Overall it's a nice enough album but just too basic / unexciting. There's no punch or intensity. Just a nice / well produced album. In one word...."pleasant". Not essential IMO.

It's actually not too bad a song. I just like their early material a lot more. Could they actually play instruments earlier on? That was the type of garage punk rubbish I'd cross the road to urinate, vomit and spit on it. And if I could get an erection around it I'd throw some sperm on it too... just 'cause of how awful it is. Anyway, long time fan of this band here and I've had this album lined up for 3 weeks now. Unfortunately, I've been training a dude for 3 weeks in a row on Tuesday nights, which is my 'New Release Night.' No excuses this week, though. Their last albums have been increasingly mellow... hoping for something a bit closer to 'Dizzy Up The Girl' this time around. Glad to see them still going. Good band. Well, at least Reznick's tracks are nearly always good. Yeah I've been a fan since DUTG as well. Prior to that I believe they were awful. Gutterflower (I think it was called) was good and in fact they have had plenty of great songs post DUTG. As for the new album I've only given it one spin so far. Admittedly I was a bit distracted with the kids but plan to revisit it this week. My first impression was (as Dan has said) a very polished sound, however style wise I'm not too sure...I felt this was a little too much in the direction of Coldplay or some other modern alt/indie band. But as I said I was really distracted and need to give this some decent spins before I comment further.

Pretty sure the one and two 't' versions of this band name have already been used in this genre. They will have to change their name to Scarlettt. LOL at Geoff re the "pointless" comment...what don't you like foreign lyrics? ?

Been following this on FB as well and didn't see that. Doesn't disappoint me though, I don't particularly care.

Hmm it's a decent song but I'm probably not as enthused by it as most others here. It's a fairly basic song. Will check out the album though. Interesting that Rock Candy is putting this out, I can't off the top of my head think of any other non-reissues from them. Euff Znuff Dissonance... Wasn't that one a reissue as well? Released independently (by the band?) in 2008, in Japan 2009 and then Rock Candy in 2010. Yeah try again Matt ?

'Leave Me Be' sounds pretty good.

Hmm it's a decent song but I'm probably not as enthused by it as most others here. It's a fairly basic song. Will check out the album though. Interesting that Rock Candy is putting this out, I can't off the top of my head think of any other non-reissues from them.

On FB someone posted a pic from the back of a Barracuda CD and it looks like the same bunch of guys.

Is there anyone who doesn't like this album...nothing but positive reviews from what I've seen. These guys should put out albums more regularly. Surprised that there isn't more love for 'Too Late to Die Young' - incredibly good track. 86% overall.

I struggle a bit with these type of discussions...not sure I know what you're looking for but how about this one... W.E.T. - Comes Down Like Rain http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mN44V3oHQ-A

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. This is a brilliant album and my favourite of 2016 so far. Still can't decide on my favourite tracks...more spins needed. As for the comments above re the pop/punk influence - I can definitely hear that as well - on some tracks much more than others but it's a good thing. I was more thinking 40 Ft Ringo type of thing rather than Blink 182, but I get what you're saying. I'll throw 88% at this one. Very nice!

Yeah I'm guilty of ignoring some albums in the past based on the opinions of others. A lot of us hate it when our favourite artists / bands try something different or change direction. Sometimes it works and quite often it doesn't. Divak obviously deviates from the JSS album that many of us have come to know and love. But it's not a bad album, it really isn't. IMO of course. Just think it's a shame to read all of this negativity toward his new work, particularly when people aren't giving it a fair go (or a go at all).

So you're letting others' opinions define your music choices? Not sure if any of these negative posts were made AFTER listening to the whole album. Weird to me, but if your free time is that scarce, then I guess you do what you've got to do. I know, and trust, the opinions of most of the members of this board. I also have about 4000 go to albums in my collection. Why waste my time on this shit?I thought the same thing as you Clutch and CureTheSane, but went away and checked this out anyway. To be honest I feel that the criticism toward Divak has been really harsh and unwarranted. It's not a bad album, just different from what we all expect from one of the heroes of our genre and not really heavy harmonies material - it's alternative metal (with a great vocalist and top musicians). I'd say if a new band came out with this album as their debut, they would find a good fan base and do well. I think JSS will struggle to find too many new fans with Divak because he's already an established artist and it is really only going to be his existing fans who give it a try (though maybe not it seems when reading this topic). Don't get me wrong this will not be in my top 10 or 20 of 2016 and probably won't get played often compared to the Defiants, Treat and all the other brilliant album of this year, but this really isn't a bad album, just different from what we expect. Give it a chance guys....there's some cool solos on here if nothing else. I'd be surprised if anyone one this forum couldn't find a track or two that they like on here.

It's Barracuda.

Played the album once so far. Really enjoying it and these tracks are first spin stand outs. House on Fire is an interesting one, not sure how to describe it but fresh sounding and a really cool vibe. Plenty of other great tracks beside these 3 though. Too Late to Die Young House on Fire Do Your Own Stunts

I'm just keen to hear the Jani Lane song on the new album.