Last year we loved Black Paisley’s ‘Let Bloomer’ of which we said ” if like me you’re a fan of 80’s Hard Rock, or even rock and roll stalwarts like Bob Seger – there’s a little more than an echo of both on here”. Well on ‘Perennials’ you certainly get that same overwhelming flavour but there’s a little more breadth to the scope.
Opening with the dark at heart ‘I Want Your Soul’ the first thing you notice is a fatter and deeper guitar sound but with those same soulful blues soaked vocals that just set you at ease. If your a fan of their debut album you’re on safe ground here.
Indeed on the twelve tracks here there’s a wonderful confidence and warmth on display from a band that deliver beautifully-crafted and distinct shots of rock with staggering consistency. Yes I’m a fan.
If you like that opener then I’ve no doubt you’ll want to dig deeper. And the simple truth is there’s plenty to love in this musical garden. ‘Day By Day’ adds a certain lightness after that rocking start but connects just as well. ‘Sometimes’ takes the mood down further much like ‘Way to Something’ did on the last album and its a definite strength of the band and brings on those same Bryan Adams comparisons perhaps. After that ‘Mother’ injects some blues and groove with its Billy Squire-like chants and wailing guitars. It’s a solid opening.
Highlights from the remainder of the album will surely be a matter of personal choice as it’s all great stuff, but for me its the light-filled, uplifting and laid back ‘Miss Me’; the retro rock feel of ‘Step Back’ which has some wonderful echoes of vintage Whitesnake in there; and the wonderful second single ‘Stronger’ that closes this fine second release. It’s a song which shows the tender side of the band beautifully and is sure to tug at more than a few heartstrings: a wonderful song of loss and hope.
These Swedish rockers have done it again and this time spread their wings a little further to bring a wonderful mix of Classic Rock, Melodic Rock and AOR to the table with added shots of Southern Rock, Country Rock and some nice singer-songwriter sensibilities for texture. More quality hard rock that just hits the spot nicely.
