If you’re a melodic rock die-hard then you probably preach on the altar of HAREM SCAREM. The beloved Canadian act has been at it since 1991 and has released a plethora of studio, live, b-side and “best of” albums. The bands first two releases, especially the sophomore effort “Mood Swings”, are considered by many fans of the genre as the “gold standard”.

2014 sees the band trying their hand at something new as they decided to record their latest album, a comeback of sorts, with the help of “PledgeMusic” and its hardcore fans. The band reached its funding goal within what seemed like days and it is now on the eve of releasing that effort titled simply “Thirteen”. They do have licensing/record deals in Europe and Japan but what the band was able to do with the “PledgeMusic” campaign was a real testament to its fan’s dedication.

The new record opens with “Garden of Eden” and the familiar sound of HAREM SCAREM sound is on display albeit with a slightly more commercial vibe than usual. In fact that more commercial or even poppy sound seems to be a theme on this record. Don’t worry though because still present are the bands signature harmony vocals, which have become something the band is known for and also the unique playing style/tone of guitarist Pete Lesperance. “Live It” is an immediate rocker with its instant sing-along chorus and poppy verses. That more commercial vibe really shows through on this track. It’s not a total left turn for the band but struck me as a bit of a different approach this time around. The third track “Early Warning Signs” is again very commercial sounding but with an edgier guitar riff running through it. It sounds very much like something that could have easily fit on the bands earlier albums.

“The Midnight Hours” has more of a mid-tempo pace in the verse until the ultra-catchy chorus speeds up the tempo a bit. The chorus of the track is vintage HAREM SCAREM. “Whatever It Takes” sees the band offering up a ballad in usual HAREM SCAREM fashion. It’s maybe not the best of the bands slow numbers in its history but the melodic chorus is another one that is instant to a degree even if it comes off as a bit paint-by-numbers sounding overall.
“Saints and Sinners” has a neat little guitar riff running through it courtesy of Lesperance while the chorus is yet again immediate and to the point. Lesperance offers up a nice solo as well as his talents as a guitarist have always been another strong point for the band. “All I Need” offers up more power-pop sounds with its lighter verses and harmony-filled chorus.

“Troubled Times” is one of the stronger tracks on the record with its overall melodic hard rock approach. To me it’s a little more vintage HAREM SCAREM sounding than just about anything else on “Thirteen”. It’s got a strong verse and arrangement and is topped off with the classic sounding HAREM SCAREM chorus and super melodic soloing of Lesperance. “Never Say Never” is another strong track with more classic HAREM SCAREM vibes. It’s not a full-on rocker but more subdued in approach with that unique layered vocal style the band is known in full effect.
Rounding out the record is “Stardust”. At just over five minutes it’s the longest track on the record. It is a mid-tempo track that seems a bit mundane in the verse but when the chorus comes it revitalizes things. The song sounds as though it could be a cross between their third record, “Voice of Reason” and the later day sounds the band has come with on its last few records.

Overall the sound of the record reminds me of the period when the band changed names in the later 90’s to RUBBER and took a power-pop approach in an effort to keep pace in its home country of Canada. That seemed a short-lived experiment but that sound seems to have had a lasting effect on Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance and it’s certainly not a bad thing as you can’t deny the catchiness of the songs offered here.

“Thirteen” is a fairly strong return from HAREM SCAREM with some new elements mixed with the power-pop sounds of the RUBBER era and a few nods to the earlier sound of the band. If you are already a fan then it’s a no-brainer that you need to check it out otherwise if you are a fan of the lighter side of melodic rock or the power-pop genre then it would be a good one to look into.