White Heart are like many other wonderful bands from the 80’s who managed to survive into the 90’s decade by hanging onto a survivalist’s life-raft.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: White Heart
ALBUM: Highlands
LABEL: Star Song
SERIAL: SSD 8277
YEAR: 1993
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Mark Gersmehl – keyboards, vocals * Billy Smiley – guitars, vocals * Rick Florian – lead vocals * Brian Wooten – lead guitar * Anthony Sallee – bass, vocals * Jon Knox – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 You Can See The World * 02 Nothing But The Best * 03 Heaven Of My Heart * 04 Once And For All * 05 Excuse Me, Forgive Me * 06 Change The Way * 07 Highland Of Love * 08 The Cry * 09 Let My People Go * 10 The Flame Passes On
Background
Don’t be fooled by the title and album cover. This has very little to do with the land of Caledonia. Instead, you’ll find perfectly crafted AOR from this much-revered Christian outfit from Nashville.
GDM has already written a few articles on White Heart, and if the previous year’s album ‘Tales Of Wonder’ was anything to go by, then we probably should have reviewed ‘Highlands’ years ago. I’ve had this on CD for ages and I’ve been remiss in not reviewing this earlier.
It really is a great companion piece to ‘Tales Of Wonder’ and is reviewed with that album in mind. Considering 1993 wasn’t a great year for melodic rock, this stands out like a beacon on a dark and stormy night!
The Songs
There aren’t too many heavy moments to be found here. ‘Nothing But The Best’ is one such example though. It comes off like pseudo metal in places. ‘Excuse Me Forgive Me’ adds a funk-like texture while ‘Change The Way’ twists and turns but an insistent chorus and vocal hook keeps things in balance. However, it’s the melodic rock affairs that really sets this CD alight.
‘You Can See The World’, ‘Heaven Of My Heart’, and ‘Highland Of Love’ are all superb tunes. Not too light and not too heavy. One of my highlights is the quite brilliant ‘The Cry’, with an atmospheric celtic intro before surging into an AOR belter.
For me though, the best song is left until the end of the album. ‘The Flame Passes On’ is lush and harmony-laden AOR. The vocals on the rich choruses are incredible. A wonderful way to finish one of the best albums of 1993.
In Summary
White Heart are like many other wonderful bands from the 80’s who managed to survive into the 90’s decade by hanging onto a survivalist’s life-raft, their impact waned as the industry collapsed around them. Two more albums were forthcoming from White Heart: 1995’s ‘Inside’ and 1997’s ‘Redemption’.
In recent years (2014-2015), the band have gotten back together, and are playing gigs again. Whether this results in further recorded output remains to be seen. Investigate White Heart’s back-catalog with confidence.
White Heart on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
