There are a few things you have to understand, and I researched these things, as I always do, to try to come to a coherent mindset where I am able to explain these things without coming off like I have personal stakes in giving this band a mediocre review. For starters the band is more constructed then it is brought together by chemistry. Drummer/Musical Director/Producer extraordinaire Tom McWilliams has been in this business for a very long time. Not only is he Lauren Harris’ drummer and music director but also part owner of Monstro Visionary Entertainment, the music label that signed Harris before she moved onto DR2 Records (a subdivision of Demolition Records), as well as the producer and writer for Lauren’s album, again all of this happened before the label change. Bassist Randy Gregg, also another veteran rocker, played with the likes of Garlic, Thin Lizzy, and Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister fame). To make matters all that more awkward Harris is the daughter of Steve Harris, bassist and founding member or rock icons Iron Maiden, also a band that had been kind enough to give her touring privileges. It’s all just too well put together for a singer that is simply average.

Harris is oddly trapped between a rendition of some Joan Jett or Pat Benatar vocal groove that is backed by tunes found mostly during the late eighties mid nineties, the kind of music you’d find running over a Patrick Swayze film, Roadhouse not Dirty Dancing. It has a little bite but there’s just no feeling in the music, no chemistry between the band which may be due to the age gap. Harris was born July 6, 1984, only five years later McWilliams would go on a 15 year stint as songwriter and producer for FIPP working with the likes of; Sammy Hager, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Jon Secada (whom he toured with as musical director and drummer). Randy Gregg, born November 8, 1969 began his musical career in the band Garlic in 1998. The experience behind the music is there. So while the band is very capable there is just no chemistry to make everything work as a unit leaving Lauren Harris’ Calm Before the Storm an album that will find its audience but definitely not an album that will stand the test of time. Sadly I do not see Lauren Harris as a competent lead singer able to bring her band and its sound to the masses. I have been wrong before though. Enjoy.

-AJ Garcia has been a writer for Shakefire.com since 2007. 

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