Sweden may be laying down the benchmark for 80’s styled Rock but the UK has had its fair share of great bands that plow that same fertile ground over the last few years, from those that have fallen already like Wigan’s ‘Bigfoot’ to those that seem to still hold so much promise like ‘Wayward Sons,’ ‘The Struts,’ ‘Midnite City’ and so many others still just starting out.
Wisbech is probably the most unlikely place for such a band to hail from, I went there once as a kid, a sleepy town, deep in the fens that spread through Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. It’s a fair way from the Sunset Strip but these guys sound like they were made to make music like this.
As well as being a rather fine debut, it’s also a pretty hefty one at 15 tracks, and unlike some albums that waver here and there, this pulls it off; and that says a lot about such a young band and their ambition.
Sure at times it creaks a little under the weight of the obvious influences, and if it wasn’t done so damned well that might sink it. It doesn’t… This is an album that takes those weighty comparisons and spins the into a bunch of wonderful songs.
Yes opener ‘Little Janie’ does sound a little like Poison and ‘Break These Chains’ does rather bring to mind UK’s own Little Angels, but when the songs sound this good do you really care? There’s a nice hard edge to both and great vocals from Tom Quick ensuring they don’t stray into pastiche territory.
‘Never Again’ is a little different,with a little touch of Pop-Punk and Teenage Casket Company about it, it’s a great song just like ‘Save Goodbye’ (which also gets acoustic treatment later) – this first version has some great production, nice strings and a huge sound that is a little more modern, a little like Hinder at their best. Great song, and a nice meaty ballad. Hold that modern sound for the Foos meets The Last Vegas of ‘Take Me Away.’
We segue into the Southern stomp of ‘One Night Only;’ before second slower number ‘Wish’ ticks a good few boxes and should certainly appeal to US Radio. ‘Said and Done’ that follows has a great groove and was certainly one that stood out at first listen; while ‘Fairytale’ is maybe even better – a huge crushing song that shouts “Look at me!” I’m more than happy already and we still half a half dozen to go!
‘Don’t Count Me Out’ certainly packs a punch and it’s tracks like this that really sell this album to me – heavy on guitar and no holds barred! Hold on, here comes ‘Nothing To Fear’ and it’s even better! Both are songs that are set to please both old school fans and those of you who might not be old enough to have appreciated the 80’s at the time.
‘No Way Back’ in a way is the step back in time after a middle section that sounds thoroughly modern and sports a killer refrain that will stay with you; and ‘Are You With Me’ recaptures that Pop Punk feel of ‘Never Again’ but maybe even tops it.
‘Burn’ is probably the song tough that makes you think that these guys are set to be something huge, it’s as good a Hard Rock song by a new band as I’ve heard in years, like vintage Bon Jovi grew some balls! It’s my favourite here and I can’t help missing Endeverafter and bands like that when I hear it. The album closes with the acoustic take on ‘Save Goodbye’ I think I actually prefer this take.
Wow, can I say something as stupid as the Fen-lands are rising! to close? I think I will. A serious contender for album of the year…