It’s been a long three years since Gardner James last hit us with ‘Synergy’ – an album that somehow managed to build upon the wonderful ‘Your Place in the Sun’ from 2019, the first record under this name. Well they do say ‘third time’s the charm’ (or 4th if you count Janet’s 2017 solo record) and that is certainly true here because this is an album that just won’t let you go from the moment you put the needle in the groove…
All the trademark energy is there and musically it’s on fire from the off creating an album that is a sheer joy to listen to. Both Janet and Justin are on point and as well as writing all of the songs played all the instruments including the drums and the bass, all of which sound wonderful in the mix.
After the retro crackle that opens ‘I’m Livin’ Free’ we start out with a real thumper: huge riffs set against laid back verses and a huge chorus with a nice bluesy feel to the first of two solos. It’s one of those songs you know is going to grow and grow. It’s a great start, and there’s no let up with ‘Turn the Page’ which bursts forth with fiery guitars and a thrust forth vocal that’s smoothed by the backing vocals. It’s a cool rocker to keep that initial pace going and sounds wonderful with another inspired solo from James to add even more fuel.
’85’ keeps it all going whilst dropping the pace a little. It’s a cool melodic rocker that looks back at being young and starting that Rock and Roll journey. It’s a cool song and one I’d love to hear live. The foot comes of the peddle for the title track ‘No Strings’ – it’s an interesting song: bluesy guitar opens before we climb into ballad territory the fall back into a simple stripped back Blues. I must admit I wasn’t quite sure it worked at first listen but the more I play it the more I love it!
‘Don’t Turn Me Away’ is another interesting one that uses acoustic guitar to great effect in the sonic stew and ends up with something remarkable. There’s a lot of ideas going on on this record and that’s one of the things I like most about it. There’s not a hint of trying to recreate the past just a feeling of a band reaching out to make the best music they can and it’s truly inspiring to listen to.
‘Set Me Free’ isn’t the vintage Sweet song, but is a wonderful fiery rocker at its height with wonderfully light counterpoints; it sits nicely up against the slower ‘Hold On To You’ a cool atmospheric ballad that is one of my highlights here, and those backing vocals are more than just highlights they really lift these songs. Another favourite ‘Into The Night’ follows with plenty of swagger and groove and a killer chorus, before ‘I’m Not Sorry’ adds another dose of sing-along melodic rock to an already boiling pot. It’s a great run of back-to-back killer tracks.
‘You’ll See’ has an almost Pop element and plays that off an infectious refrain and some killer guitar work, it’s another track that is just a little left of centre that works wonderfully well. ‘She Floats Away’ has a certain ragged charm too, all jangle and almost country in those acoustic guitars it’s a nice echo-shot rocker that creates a unique atmosphere: and with that we’re almost there! Indeed it just leaves closing track ‘Drink’ to seal the deal, and it does so with all the barroom boozy rock and roll swagger that you’d hope for. It has set-closer written all over it!
I must admit I’ve been mightily impressed with all three Gardner James releases to date, but I’m in no doubt that this is the best so far. Having seen them live before ‘Synergy’ dropped one things for sure – picking a setlist is going to be mighty hard!
8.5 / 10
For the latest on Janet and Justin, visit: https://www.janetgardnermusic.com/