Harlequin

Waking The Jester

2007, Mammoth Junction Inc/Music Buy Mail

Rating: 3/5

Harlequin comes from this webzine’s native Canada and from what I have read the band has just awakened from a 20-year slumber. The band’s history goes all the way back to the 70’s - their debut album VICTIM OF A SONG was released in1979 and it sold gold-status. The next album came the year after and was entitled LOVE CRIMES which sold even better and generated double-platinum sales. The band released a few more albums before they decided to put the band to rest. But despite Harlequin’s departure form the musical scene their hit songs were still played on air and are still aired in both Canada and the USA to this day. The band consists of 4 members, but no one is listed on drums so the band invited a few guests to take care of that department. Steve Broadhurst plays drums and percussion on all of the songs except for “Hell OR High Water”, “Shine On”, “Taste It” and “40 Days in Your Car” where Brent Fitz handles the drums.

Harlequin’s contribution to the hardrock scene is well-played and polished melodic hardrock/AOR. The album is built around the many strong choruses sung by all of the members.

WAKING THE JESTER ought to be considered the band’s comeback album. It includes 13 tracks and from my point of view the material and the music are solid. It sounds like the band have put in some really hard work and feeling into the songs. WAKING THE JESTER is a solid album that leaves me with a feel good feeling and as a comeback album it’s a treat for all of the older hardcore fans.

George Belanger – lead vocals

Derrick Gottfried – lead guitar, vocals

Nick Rivers – bass, vocals

Darren Moore – keyboards, guitar, vocals

More info about the band

www.harlequintheband.com

Label

www.musicbuymail.eu

Tracklist

Shine On

Rise

Hell Or High Water

40 Days In Your Car

Block Out The Sun

How Long

This Limbo

Take It Or Leave It

Lolita

Inbound Train

Little White Lies

You Can’t Go Back

Taste It