Ron Keel has been around and making music almost as long as I’ve been listening to Rock – I first heard him in Steeler (1983) and really enjoyed Keel’s first two albums ‘Lay Down the Law’ (1984) and ‘The Right To Rock’ (1985) before losing track for a while. He turned up sporadically on the radar after that for me with further Keel albums and then there was ‘Fair Game’ in 1990 and dabblings with the likes of ‘Saber Tiger’ before he turned all country in 2000 with ‘Iron Horse’ and I kind of lost interest. Ron would crop up again and again over the years but it’s not really until this new release as ‘Ron Keel band’ that I’ve caught upon those missed years.
The interesting thing about this new album is it’s consistency and after repeated listens I’m quite prepared to say that it might just be his is his most consistent album, period. This isn’t a Keel (band) rehash though it’s and album that sounds like it’s been slowly maturing over the years before being released into the world.
Opening with a song to tick all those Hard Rock boxes ‘Road Ready’ has an almost vintage Scorpions meets UFO opening before the riff kicks in and the rather muscular vocal holds sway. It’s a great song and great opening. Next up comes maybe the highlight though – the rather melodic rock of title track ‘Fight Like A Band’ tells the tale of Ron from Steeler to present and pays tribute to his wife. It’s just a great song and a great story that sticks with you.
After that, as I said, it’s the high quality and consistency that holds sway. ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitar’ as you might imagine sees guitarist DC Cothern taking centre stage, there’s a nice chunky riff, a slight Southern edge and another nice story of persistence. ‘Long way Down’ has that same edge, a little slower and heartfelt, a great country-tinged rocker.
Two of the best are up next, first the ‘summer sky’ feel of the (early) Bon Jovi-like ‘Hearts Gone Wild’ which is simply great American Rock and Roll; and the wonderful ‘Good Songs Bad Times’ another simple pleasure , light and melodic, beautifully crafted country rock.
It doesn’t let up though – next comes the single ‘Girls Like Me’ a summer rocker if ever I heard one with a fun 80’s Great White-like groove; and alongside it the mid-tempo ‘Fire in the Rain’ which is probably just lacking a little more memorable chorus.
I must admit though I do draw the line just before ‘Just A Cowboy’ which is heavy with Country cliches and whilst in the right setting it might go down well its a little out of place on what is essentially a Rock album. Not that there’s anything wrong with a little Country music. “Old School’ that follows puts things back on track though with what sounds like a rocked up Country vibe.
interestingly after that complete surprise there’s another which has us heading in the opposite direction: what follows is a couple of re-recorded Keel classics ‘Tears Of Fire’ and ‘The Right To Rock’ which I’m assuming need no introduction. Interestingly whilst most reworkings like this suck I actually love this pair.
The album closes beautifully with a tale of real friendship and Rock and Roll in the rather fun ‘Hey Man.’ Ron Keel’s best work so far? I think so. Who’d have thought that in 2019?
