CRAAFT – Second Honeymoon [YesterRock remastered +3 bonus] 2012

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Many asked for a refresh / repost of this excellent YesterRock remastered reissue of CRAAFT second album “Second Honeymoon” including 3 bonus tracks. “Second Honeymoon” (or just titled ‘Craaft’ in the US) is the second album from these German melodic rockers originally released in the endearing period of classic Melodic Rock / AOR back in the ’80s.

In a few words: “Second Honeymoon” is a killer album from start to finish.
Kicks off in a rather typical melodic fashion, the kind of thing that’s expected from an album from the aforementioned golden years, with greater vocal passages amidst the chugging guitars and keyboards on ‘Run Away’.
This new expanded version of ‘Second Honeymoon’ is brought right up to date though with the benefit of the remastering, with tunes like “Twisted Up All Inside” and “Chance Of Your Life” all shining through in the modern day.

The big ballad “Jane” should have sold million copies, as it is the typical big chorus kind of tune that has become so essential for commercial purposes. The rockin’ sounds return with the guitar driven “Gimme What You Got” which evolves into an anthemic song with it’s catchy chorus and of course the obligatory keyboards, which in some ways is THE main element for any harmonic Euro-AOR offering.
This parp attack also introduces “Running On Love”, a bouncy kinda foot stomper of a track, and the Craaft guys are even including some heavy-funk stuff that played such a large part in rock during the MTV glory days on “Hey Babe”.

We have another chugging hooky tune in the form of “Illusions” and then it’s time for the well crafted piano ballad “Don’t You Know What Love Can Be” with a very nice choral progression.
“Are You Ready To Rock” meanwhile is another big-sounding / sing-along song, and just as “Right To Your Heart” seems to be slipping into that album filler slot, these guys pull yet another infectious hooky chorus out of the bag.
The catchy and cleverly mixed “Don’t Stop To Rock” offers once again more great harmonies and arrangements, whilst the awesome midtempo AOR of “Something For Nothing” ends the original album in great form.

This re-issue comes with the 1987 demos “Long, Long Time”, “Break Away” and “Take It Easy”, all great additions to this album with their melodic Euro-rock overtones and making this whole package something of a hidden gem from the often overcrowded ’80s Melodic Rock / AOR scene.

Along with Bonfire’s ‘Fireworks’ and few others of that ilk, in my humble opinion CRAAFT’s “Second Honeymoon” is among the best Melodic Hard Rock / AOR album to come out of Germany during the ’80s.
If you like your melodic rock to be solidly built with catchy choruses and damn good playing then you will love this CD. You have great hooks, big choruses, tons of synths, sharp guitars and those grandiose ‘huge reverb’ drums.
Another cracker of a re-release from YesterRock Records with a superb sound.
A must have album for any ’80s Melodic Rock / AOR fan.

01 - Run Away
02 - Twisted Up All Inside
03 - Chance Of Your Life
04 - Jane
05 - Gimme What You Got
06 - Running On Love
07 - Hey Babe
08 - Illusions
09 - Don't You Know What Love Can Be
10 - Are You Ready To Rock
11 - Right To Your Heart
12 - Don't Stop To Rock
13 - Something For Nothing
BONUS TRACKS:
14 - Long, Long Time [demo 1987]
15 - Break Away [demo 1987]
16 - Take It Easy [demo 1987]

Klaus Luley - lead vocals, guitar, bass
Franz Keil - keyboards, backing vocals
Marcus Schleicher - guitars, backing vocals
Thommy Schneider - drums, percussion

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