REVIEW : HAREM SCAREM / Live At The Phoenix (2015)

Canadian heroes, Harem Scarem are back with a brand new live album with the title "Live At The Phoenix". In 2008, the band released the pretty good "Hope" album and in 2013 it was back with the release of a very special re-recording of their classic “Mood Swings” album (plus three new songs).

After a very successful tour, the band decided to head back into the studio to record their 13th studio record. The result was "Thirteen" which was a strong Harem Scarem record in the vain of the band's earlier works. "Thirteen" gained positive impression from both fans and press.

One of a few live dates scheduled in Canada was at the Phoenix Concert Hall in the band’s hometown of Toronto, Ontario, in July 11th 2015. This happened to be the perfect moment for the band to capture live recordings of numerous songs from their new record "Thirteen" but, also, to revisit their classic early material.

So, what do we have here is a double cd, plus a DVD, a package that seems the perfect gift for each and every single fan of this legendary band but, also, it seems the perfect appetizer for those who aren't familiar with these Canadians and want to discover a really great band. This live album features all the classic tracks such as "Hard To Love", "Distant Memory", "Sentimental Blvd.", "Voice Of Reason", "Slowly Slipping Away" and many others that made this band well-known to a wider audience but, also, features some tunes from their latest release like "Garden Of Eden", "Saints And Sinners" and my personal favorite "Troubled Times". All the tracks are well-performed and Harry Hess's voice sounds better than ever! The rest of the band is really tight and the production is solid.

For sure, this is a great live album that gives the perfect picture of how Harem Scarem sounds live!! The perfect best of album played live!  

Rating : 9/10

Track Listing :
 CD1Garden Of Eden; Hard To Love; Saviors Never Cry; Dagger; Distant Memory; The Midnight Hours; Mandy; Killing Me; Slowly Slipping Away; Troubled Times.
 
CD2 Sentimental Blvd.; Turn Around; Stranger Than Love; All I Need; Saints And Sinners; So Blind;  Human Nature; Voice Of Reason; Change Comes Around; No Justice.
 
DVD // Blu Ray
Garden Of Eden; Hard To Love; Saviors Never Cry; Dagger; Distant Memory; The Midnight Hours; Mandy; Killing Me; Slowly Slipping Away; Troubled Times; Sentimental Blvd.; Turn Around; Stranger Than Love; All I Need; Saints And Sinners; So Blind; Human Nature; Voice Of Reason; Change Comes Around; No Justice.