Ten tracks that sound like we’re still in the wonderful 70’s, you know that decade when even the bad music was great and you know those little things like singers could sing without computer aid and performances were by and large not dialed or piped in.
British Rock of course ruled the world back in those days and we owe so much to the bands like Zeppelin, Sabbath, Purple, Lizzy, UFO and Quo who launched the careers of thousands of budding musicians. In 2020 Dear Lord are showing their debut to that decade with the release of ‘Surrender’ and if you like your rock tried and true and traditional then these are a band to check out.
Here you get ten great tracks that break no molds but still have plenty of life and soul and offer sonic echoes of all the above but throw in some curve-balls like the Thin Lizzy twin-guitar boogie of opening track ‘Distance over Time’ or the Maiden opening riff and AC/DC thrust of ‘Evil Always Wins.’
Then there’s the catchy almost early Costello of ‘Letter From Allen St.’ and the broodier but just as on point ‘Authority’. If you want texture though there’s more…
‘Messin’ Up’ gives you a nice summer stroll with a nice acoustic swing and thrust and ‘Dark End of the Rainbow’ that follows may even steal the show with its enticing build to that wonderful refrain. And there’s more with the underdog anthem ‘The Loner’s Way’ again adding that sweeping summer feel for the ‘feeling good while feeling bad’ song of the year. Don’t let the bastards get you down!
A nice upbeat album for those long summer nights with a distinctive nod to Thin Lizzy. Nice.
7/10
