On a whole, Radiocarbon by House of Shakira takes me back to the great sound of the 80’s rock bands where the music was clean, the guitars were singing, and the drums rocked a steady beat! Best yet, the lead singer, Andreas Novak has some strong pipes on him that makes each song a great listen. The album takes us through journey with the band and has a lot of spiritual tunes that state a new way of life for the singer by shedding a bad relationship.
“Herd Instinct,” starts us on that journey with revving guitars and synthesized sound effects that alter his voice making Novak sound edgy.
The great play of singing guitars and steady drums continue in the next song, “One Circumstance.” This song packs in all the highs with a great guitar solo and belting vocals that keep you rocking.
“We Are Not Alone,” keeps that fast pace drumbeat, but mixes in that story telling theme by popping in old news soundbites in between the singing and guitar solos. The mixture makes you feel that we are definitely not alone in the world and that the woman may be from another planet!
“Radiocarbon,” the albums highlighted song, carries on the story of the singer realizing that he must move on from this old dated relationship that is unhealthy and just dragging him down. The play back and forth with vocals and guitar riffs keep you entertained.
Just when you think that you got a groove in the music, “A Tyrant’s Tale,” brings out a heavier raw edge that takes the classic rock sound into a heavy metal undertone of grinding guitars and banging drums. Novak’s clean vocals lift this song into a great grind!
“Delusion,” carries on that hard side of rock and roll with rolling guitar riffs. Andreas belts out those notes strong and clear! He has a great ebb and flow of wrapping you up in his smooth vocals and then letting it all come out with a rock and roll scream.
“Save Yourself,” explains more of the bad relationship that keeps trying to intercede into the singer’s life. The song plays out with ramped up guitar solos that match the stellar vocals.
The tale continues in “Sweet Revenge,” by pulling in the spiritual aspects that were introduced in the beginning of the album. The song carries a mixture of pulsating drums and guitar shreds that concludes this unhealthy relationship.
“Scavenger Lizard,” explains how nasty the ex is! The music compliments the tone of the song, with booming drums and the singsong talk of the narrator. You get that raspy sexy groove from Novak’s vocals as he defends why he had to give her up.
The pounding tunes return in the next song, “Like a Fool.” The back and forth mixture of ballad singing, wailing, and throbbing guitars show how the conflicted singer suffered in his woeful relationship.
The last song, “Falling down,” gives us the complete picture of how the singer can start to pick up the pieces and continue along with his life. The easy ballad shows off Novak’s feathery vocals and the lighthearted beat ends this album with a satisfied and well told story of a caustic relationship that was left behind and overcame.
- “Herd Instinct” – 1.07
- “One Circumstance: – 3:34
- “Not Alone” – 3:06
- “Radiocarbon” – 4:05
- “A Tyrant’s Tale” – 4:21
- “Delusion” – 3:16
- “Save Yourself” – 3:37
- “Sweet Revenge” – 4:13
- “Scavenger Lizard” – 3:11
- “Like a Fool” – 4:31
- “Falling Down” – 4:43
