From the first strains of opening track ‘Again’ (as in “wish I was 21 again”) you know you’re in safe hands on Little Caesar’s eighth record, their first in 6 years and their debut for new label Golden Robot Records. There’s that trademark groove, Ron’s distinct voice and those liquid guitars with enough bite and grit in them to make you feel it’s going to be a smooth but dirty ride.
In my mind Little Caesar were the 80’s band that kept the Rhythm and Blues tradition of bands like Humble Pie going with their soulful take on Hard Rock. They were a band largely apart from the Hollywood scene of the day musically, though they did have approximate peers in bands like Junkyard, Rock City Angels and Salty Dog, though in truth none of those bands had the smooth rumble or sheer class of Little Caesar in full flight.
On an album that throws a few gentle but effective curve balls ‘Mama tried’ picks up the pace and introduces a hit of Country to a down home tale of woe, its simple, direct and irresistible. ‘Vegas’ takes us back to a more familiar neighborhood, sets up a righteous Little Caesar groove, with great guitars and trademark harmonies, it has all that you want from the band with the swagger of their debut and the confidence of age, it’s all wrapped up in a great tale of the City of Sin.
‘Crushed Velvet’ that follows is a little more introspective and turns the Soul dial up, it’s a molasses sweet dark groove that really shows off Ron’s vocal. ‘Good Times’ then offers up a dirtier riff and it’s that patina that’s always been a big part of the charm for a Little Caesar fan like me.
Half way in I’m starting to feel more than happy, I’m moved by what I’m hearing and as if to underline that feeling, the slow and smokey ballad ‘Time Enough for That’ does what Little Caesar always did best of all – gently unfolding a sweet soulful song with a gentle melody, dripping in emotion that fits beautifully in the lineage of tracks like ‘From the Start’ or ‘I Wish It Would Rain’.
Of course ‘Straight Shooter’ is the very antithesis -a riff driven bluesy rocker to get you moving again. ‘Another fine Mess’ adds further southern-tinged swagger and has an inescapable chorus that will drive you crazy in all the right ways, whilst the languid ‘Morning’ takes the pace off again edging gently towards a chorus that soars.
The track that has the final say, album closer ‘That’s Alright’ takes up a vintage Aerosmith groove that has me thinking of ‘Rocks’ and ‘Draw the Line’ as the backing vocals sweep in over the Tom Hamilton-like bass line. Its a song that makes you want to get out on that highway and just drive. Bonus tracks ‘Mixed Signs’ with it’s Humble Pie meets ZZ Top crawling dirty blues groove and ‘Slow Ride,’ a slowed down dirtier take on the track from 1992’s ‘Influence’ pack just as much punch.
If you want to hear an album that captures the real essence of soulful, uplifting, blues-infused rock and roll and which sports just the right amount of dirt under the fingernails this is one of the best you’ll hear in a long, long time. I never thought I would ever say this, but this album just might be Little Caesar’s finest moment, and that comes from someone who has their debut still riding high in their list of all time favourite albums.
Thank you.
