As requested, here’s the impressive one and only album by HARLOW, a melodic hard rock / AOR American act fronted by talented vocalist Teresa Straley. Signed by a major label and co-produced by renowned Pat Regan (Rainbow, Black N’ Blue) who also play on the record, the band 1990’s self-titled release “Harlow” should have been huge.
Seriously, HARLOW, if not better, was in the same quality level of VIXEN or FEMME FATALE. The band was the child of Teresa Straley who wrote all the songs and co-produced. Yeah, you need strong songs – and Teresa delivered, some co-written with Regan, fully involved in HARLOW – but helped a lot as well having uber-talented Tommy Thayer (Black N’ Blue, KISS) as guitarist, and Todd Jensen (Alice Cooper, Graham Bonnet, Hardline) on bass.
So yes, “Harlow” sounds powerful yet polished, sharp yet melodic – a splendid mixture of both female-fronted Melodic Hard Rock (such as “Chain Reaction,” “Beyond Control,” or “Empty”) and AOR material (“Silence,” “The Edge Of Love,” or “No Escape”), peppered by Theresa Straley rich, husky, and sometimes raspy voice with an awesome range.
When Straley hits the high notes, such as the ending passage of the aforementioned song “Silence” or the final choruses of the exceptional “Cry Murder,” you can get shivers down your spine. Her voice is not only suitable for the harder-rocking tracks, but the ballads as well since she’s able to belt out the lyrics when necessary, and load her voice with passionate emotion where suitable.
Although Straley overall style and delivery isn’t that different from some other great female singers at the time in the Melodic Hard Rock genre, her tonal quality sounds completely unique, a definite plus since she’s instantly recognizable.
Additionally, besides Straley talents, Harlow also most notably featured Black ‘N’ Blue / KIS guitarist Tommy Thayer, and believe me, he rips some terrific rhythm / guitar solos here.
To sum up, for fans of female-fronted Melodic Hard Rock / AOR from the ’80s, “Harlow” is a must have.
Tracklist:
01. Chain Reaction
02. Silence
03. Don’t Say We’re Over
04. Empty
05. When You Love Someone
06. Cry Murder
07. No Escape
08. Beyond Control
09. Pictures
10. Edge Of Love
Line-Up:
Pat Regan – keyboards
Steven Klong – drums
Teresa Straley – vocals
Todd Jensen – bass
Tommy Thayer – guitars