'Second Honeymoon' was the second album from Teutonic soft rockers Craaft, released originally in the endearing period of classic melodic rock back in the 1980s. 2012 sees the band reanimated thanks to the Yesterrock label with 'Second Honeymoon' re-released with a remastered sound and an additional trio of demo bonus tracks.

The opus kicks off in a rather typical melodic fashion, you know what I mean, the type of thing that's expected from an album from the aforementioned golden years, some decent vocal passages amidst the chugging softened guitar and keyboards on 'Run Away'. This new expanded version of 'Second Honeymoon' is brought right up to date though with the benefit of some re-mastering, with tunes like 'Twisted Up All Inside' and 'Chance Of Your Life' all shining through in the modern day. It should be remembered that the album/adult orientated marketplace is full to the brim of like sounding well produced artists all trying so effortlessly to recreate that particular sound that will help them become million sellers.

The big ballad 'Jane' might have done just that as it is the typical big chorus type of tune that has become so essential for commercial purposes, however the rockin' soon resumes with the guitar driven 'Gimme What You Got' and this tune evolves into a good song with it's catchy chorus and of course the obligatory keyboards which in some ways is THE main element for any harmonic Euro 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 of dat funk stuff that played such a large part in rock during the MTV glory days on 'Hey Babe'.

As the album reaches its midway point we have another chugging hooky tune in the form of  'Illusions' and then its time for the well crafted piano ballad 'Don't You Know What Love Can Be' with a decent enough choral progression that is also ever so slightly Eurovision, which is a compliment of sorts. 'Are You Ready To Rock' meanwhile is another big sounding singalong 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 to save the day. The funky side pops up again on 'Don't Stop To Rock' when once more great harmonies and arrangements make for a compelling listen, whilst the softer commercial side of pop via 'Something For Nothing' ends the main part of the original album.

Those choruses just keep on coming with the 1987 demos 'Long, Long Time', 'Break Away' and 'Take It Easy' all great additions to this release with their euro pop overtones and making this whole package something of a hidden gem of the oft overcrowded '80s soft rock/AOR scene.

'Second Honeymoon' it is then and most definitely a second coming, now when can we expect the Craaft reunion?

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