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What’s the 4-1-1?
Honeymoon suite was founded in 1982 by vocalist Johnnie
Dee, guitarist Derry Grehan, and bassist Brian Blackstone. Their debut
album was released in 1984 and spawned the minor hit “New Girl Now”.
It wasn’t until their sophomore release The Big Prize that the Canadian
AOR rockers gained some notoriety. How could it not? “Bad Attitude” is
a mixture of arena rock riffage, driving synths, and passionate melodic
vocals. Deep breathy vocals and subdued guitars set the initial pace of “Feel
It Again” until the powerful chorus kicks in. In a time period where
synthesizers dominated, there are some great guitar solos here.
“What
Does It Take” was the song that really introduced me to the group
back-in-the-day. I really shouldn’t say back-in-the-day because
it was only a few years ago. I always knew about it, but when I re-watched
the ending credits to the best John Cusack movie of all-time, One
Crazy Summer, I heard “What It Takes”. I always this
mother of all power ballads, but I really didn’t know who did it
or if it was available. I’m glad I did my research. You might know
it by its lead chorus lyric; If I could grow wings, I would do anything… Pulsing
keys and driving drums dominate the verses of “One By One”.
The chorus is catchy and reminds me of that Toto, Reo Speedwagon sound
that was big
back then.
Rhythmic drums and ascending synths compete for your attention
during the introduction to “Words in the Wind”. From there,
the swarm keys compliment Johnnie Dee’s soulful vocals. Derry Grehan
lets the power chords ring out on the anthemic track “Once the
Feeling”.
When he returns on the solo, he really shows off his speed skills. The
album eventually went multi-platinum in Canada. I’m unsure what
the U.S. charting was. The band is still together with a different line
up
anchored by Johnnie Dee and Derry Grehan.
The Verdict
Simple songs, simple lyrics, formulamatic arrangements…but it
works.
Did You Know?
Vocalist Johnnie Dee released a solo album entitled Songs in Dee under his
real name Johnnie Degiuli.
Rating:  out
of 5
--George Dionne
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HONEYMOON
SUITE
