Ballas Hough Band "BHB" CD Review

Even though we don’t watch much prime time TV, for quite a few years now we’ve tuned in for Dancing with the Stars. Can you believe the show is in its 8th season? My daughter likes to pretend she’s a dancing pro and follows the dancer’s movements like a hawk. Wish I could move like the professionals!

I just recently learned that two of the amazingly talented professional dancers on the show, Mark Ballas and Derek Hough also write music, sing, and play guitar as members of the Ballas Hough Band, along with friends Emily Grace on keyboards and vocals, bassist Sam Marder and drummer Harry Sullivan. The band released their debut CD album BHB on March 10th.

I had the opportunity to listen to the new CD, BHB. The band cites a diverse range of influences from Michael Jackson to Prince, Queen and Nirvana for their pop/rock sound. The vocals are well sung, infused with feeling and good harmonies. While not exactly cutting-edge, the album includes a range of music that may appeal to tweens and teens as well those 20-30 somethings that are fans of the many previous boy band varieties (i.e. Jonas Brothers, Backstreet Boys, Maroon 5, etcetera). The song “Devastated” reminded me a bit of my old-school New Kids on the Block days with its oh-oh-oh-oh-oh chorus. (Yes, I’m dating myself here!) Though some of the album had that been there, done that feeling, I personally liked the lyrical, “Underwater” and the powerful, driving “Fall” best. Unfortunately the lyrics were not included in the accompanying CD leaflet.

Watch for the Ballas Hough Band as they embark on their national US tour this summer.

Thanks to One2One network for this review opportunity.