Mood Swings

Mood Swings is Harem Scarem’s signature work, binding advanced arrangement, deeply shaded harmony and powerful singing to show one maturity of melodic hard rock. Inheriting the fresh appeal of the previous album, it lines up more precise songs with greater emotional depth. The guitar moves freely between thick riffs and delicate phrases, and the rhythm creates a complex, rich expression from song to song. From the dramatic development of “Saviors Never Cry” and the power of “No Justice” to the catchiness of “Change Comes Around” and the lyricism of “Stranger Than Love,” every song boasts high polish, while a cut like “Sentimental Blvd.” conveys the band’s rich melodic sense. Harry Hess’s singing supports big melody yet never loses an introspective warmth. Its power lies in how a sure compositional will runs through even the song construction and the details of the harmony, beyond the appeal of flashy choruses alone. Thus, the more you listen, the more layers of new discovery come into view. Still highly praised as a timeless masterpiece of melodic hard rock and AOR, it is one of the finest works.