Dan Reed Network – ‘Let’s Hear It For The King’ – Album Review

Back in the late eighties as a Hard Rock fan Dan Reed Network and Nelson were my two guilty pleasures, so much so that over the nineties I managed to collect pretty much every release they put out. I finally completed the Dan Reed Network collection a decade ago so it’s great to be able to add to it again after 2016’s ‘Fight Another Day’ and 2018’s ‘Origins.’ Dan himself of course has been rather more prolific recently and it’s all worth checking out.

A new Network album though is always big news in these parts and after hearing the single ‘Starlight’ you’ll certainly know if this one is for you. If like me you waited patiently the entire 25 years between ‘The Heat’ and ‘Fight Another Day’ then the regularity of releases since (this being the third studio album since 2016 and the sixth full-length overall) is rather cool.

We open the latest long-player with ‘Pretty Karma’ a smooth yet insistent rocker with a sublime hook and just the right amount of bite. ‘The Ghost Inside’ that follows is more laid back though, and coming so soon in the tracklist maybe a little too laid back. It feels mature and assured but comes a little too quickly after the rocking opener and feels like a mid-album track. That minor quibble of course is immediately remedied by the wonderful single ‘Starlight’ which is pretty much all I love about DRN rolled into one. There’s Rock, there’s Pop, there’s Prince… it really does have it all.

And DRN just keep on giving. ‘Supernova’ bounces, hops and sizzles with a funky energy, and title track ‘Let’s Hear it For the King’ is more controlled and brooding as is the sister track ‘I See Angels’ both are lyrically intriguing and the latter just drifts away with you. The midway point sees ‘Homegrown’ get all funky and intense  before ‘Stumble’ turns things and the funk up another notch. We’re really partying now!

And it just keeps on keeping on! ‘Just Might Get It’ builds slowly and hypnotically before we reach a smooth refrain, and ‘Where’s the Revolution’ satisfies like a slick Prince meets Robert Palmer milkshake! That’s before the rolling groove of ‘Are You Ready’ brings about another huge smile.

It’s ‘Unfuck My World’ though right near the end that adds a light Bluesy vibe that actually really works and is another real standout for me. It’s the wonderfully bubbly ‘Last Light on Saturn’ though that has the final say with some real soulful noise from Dan and co. It’s a great way to bring a great record to a close.

Still quality after all these years this DRN platter belongs with the likes of ‘Slam’ and ‘Heat’ and holds it head just as high. In 30 years DRN has lost none of its wonder, Dan still sounds wonderful, the band still impossibly tight yet soulful, and dare I say it… the only thing that’s changed is that the production just makes this collection shine all the more.

8.5 /10

Track Listing
1. Pretty Karma
2. The Ghost Inside
3. Starlight
4. Supernova
5. Let`s Hear It For The King
6. I See Angels
7. Homegrown
8. Stumble
9. Just Might Get It
10. Where`s The Revolution
11. Are You Ready?
12. Unfuck My World
13. Last Day On Saturn