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HUSH: Mirage

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Hush

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50:42

RAM0601CD

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Norwegian band HUSH released two albums, which delighted the AOR/melodic rock audience, If You Smile (1998), and II (2001). These albums were full of terrific songs, loaded with hooks and big choruses, and great ballads. This time around they’ve gone for a different sound, and I’m sure a lot of the earlier fans will be disappointed. In fact, this band is hardly recognizable. Gone are the lush and melodic keyboards and the harmonies. HUSH have gone for a much more modern sound.

This is not to say that this is a bad album. In fact, the changes they’ve made to their sound often remind me of what HAREM SCAREM has gone through – and they didn’t do too bad, did they? The last EUROPE album is also an example of how to successfully integrate a more modern sound. HUSH’s approach might be just a bit too drastic, though.

Right, so forget for a moment about the previous albums, and you’ll discover some quite neat tracks. ‘Mirage’ sees them going into AUDIOSLAVE territory – an influence which will resurface on several occasions. The emotional ‘Just Me’ and the dark ‘Enemy’ are probably my favourites. ‘When You Fall’ and ‘Walk On Through’ are great ballads. The choice to include the highly melodic ‘Till We Become The Sun’ as a bonus track (originally from the II album), is debatable, as it seems to rub in the fact of how much they’ve changed.

These kinds of albums are pretty hard to review. You have to judge them in their own right, but you can’t help but compare with the earlier releases. I’m all for bands adapting their sound, but HUSH have done this so radically, that they’ll most likely alienate most of their fanbase. A pretty good album; just probably not what you might have expected. Changing their band name might have given them more credit.
 

Musicians

1. 01. Is This...?
   02. Mirage
   03. Hell Or High Water
   04. When You Fall
   05. The Dark Inside The Light
   06. Walk On Through
   07. Just Me
   08. Enemy
   09. What Have We Become
   10. Lies & Rumors
   11. Till We Become The Sun

If You Smile (1998)
II (2001)
Mirage (2006)

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Last updated: 05 september 2006 .
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