Duane Hoover – ‘Sharade Parade’ [Album Review]

Duane Hoover releases his new album, Sharade Parade. The album was recorded in New Jersey at Hoover’s home studio and then polished at local studios, including Sonic Boom Studio.

Sharade Parade was inspired by The Beatles’ ‘White Album,’ which ranged unapologetically all over the stylistic map. Hoover was 17 when he first heard the album. It had a huge impact on him as an artist.

Encompassing 16 tracks, highlights on Sharade Parade include the opening track, “The Way Things Fall Apart,” a Beatles-like rock song tinted with pop flavors. A gulping bassline and crisp percussion give the tune a rolling flow. Hoover’s gentle vocals imbue the lyrics with smooth, creamy timbres.

“She’d Tell Me Over And Over” conjures up memories of the early Beatles’ pop-laced sound. Whereas “Everytime” offers darker, grittier guitars that throb over rough textures and contrast with the almost tender vocals.

On “Open The Door to Your Dreams,” Hoover merges faint hints of The Rolling Stones with the bolero-influenced tangs of Stevie Winwood’s Traffic. The syncopated beat and exotic guitars infuse the melody with traces of prog-rock.

The piano-driven “I Can See Why” evokes John Lennon, with its simple yet alluring melody. The resemblance of Hoover’s voice to Lennon’s on this track is uncanny. Softly glowing backing vocals give the song a misty radiance, while a distant French horn adds silky tones.

Duane Hoover, photo by Pam Hoover

For some reason, “Like A Child” brings to mind Hoover covering a Ricky Nelson song, thanks to its ’60s pop-rock simplicity.

A personal favorite because of its delicious blend of Roy Orbison-like surfaces and Beatles-like vocals, “Everytime I Think About You” features a chopstick piano, fat bassline, and ooh ooh ooh vocal harmonies. The measured rhythm rolls with an Orbison-laced sway.

On Sharade Parade, the ‘60s British Invasion auteur delivers a splendidly produced album full of contemporary subtleties.

Sharade Parade Track Listing:

1. The Way Things Fall Apart
2. She’d Tell Me Over And Over
3. Everytime
4. More And More
5. I Don’t Wanna Play This Game Anymore
6. Open The Door to Your Dreams
7. Where the Wild Things Are
8. After The Storm in Your Mind
9. Changing Rooms And Shifting Skies
10. Her Last Chance
11. Sharade Parade
12. I Can See Why
13. Like A Child
14. Maybe It’s Not That Bad
15. Eventually
16. Everytime I Think About You

Run Time: 61:00
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Record Label: Lighthouse Records