Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
London geezers The Karma Effect are about to drop their second album and it is a game changer. Hot on the heels of the UK tour supporting Bad Touch the band are basically going for world domination and Promised Land is the rocket ship to take them to the stars.
I managed to catch the boys on the Bad Touch tour in Glasgow and I was more than impressed so I was delighted to receive an early copy of the album for review and after living with it for a week I reckon it could very well be imprinted in my DNA by now.
It opens with “Livin’ it Up” with an 80s vocal opening which fades straight into an Aerosmith groove with a huge slice of Free. The riff is funky and infectious and this is a good time Rock’n’Roll song from the past with a taste of the right now.
“See You Again” starts with some background pub sounds like the start of a great night and this song could almost be The Faces but please God, no tartan. Seb Emmis is on fire on the ivories and we instantly get into a groove that just does not stop kicking.
Good old 70s placed bands are all the rage right now. We have seen huge leaps and bounds for bands like Rival Sons, Greta Van Fleet and latest hotshots Dirty Honey. The popularity of the music has even seen The Black Crowes reform and take on the mantle of Grandfathers and The Karma Effect may well be classed as babies amongst these names but they need to be in the same conversation as songs like “Wild Honey” goes punch for punch with any of those bands tunes and having seen them live I know in the gig environment they have what it takes to make it. The guitar work of Henry Gottelier and Robbie Blake are second to none on here. There is no way you can listen to this song and be downbeat in any way. It gets its own stomp down.
If you want a party song may I welcome you to “All Night Long” and singer Henry lays down a very impressive menu for tonights antics. This is The Black Crowes in their best jam frenzy, things may get a bit hazy but this song is going to get stuck in your head.
The keys opening “Still Falling For you” is stunning. This is another Free sounding track that has you sitting back sipping a beer and loving life. This song is like a campfire with your mates..one of those beautiful moments in your life that is a journey all of its own. The beauty of this track is you can revisit the same moment and same feeling time after time.
The title track is on another level. The guitar hook is insane, the funk, soul and blues meets and provides an outstanding track that shines in the genre and gives you an anthem for a new generation.
“Be My Salvation” strolls along the line of Southern precariously and reminded me of the band Skin and “Tower of Strength” which for me is a huge praise as I absolutely love that song. This is what we called back in the day an arena filler. Goosebumps.
On “Come to Life” the rhythm section really kicks in with Ash Powell on Drums and Liam Quinn on bass knocking it out of the park and giving the song a funk all of its own. Every song so far has slipped right into the next with ease and it makes for a very complete piece of music that will have your hips swaying and your toes tapping like a bugger.
There is another killer riff on “Nine Times” as it opens and it quickly flicks into a funk driven Extreme sounding number with a Mr Big spine. Take all those elements and out pours a stunning song. They then raise the tempo into a frenzy of noise, beats and groove. It almost goes out of control but it is never one second away from brilliant.
As I listen to “Better Days” I am honestly thinking my days have already been made better with this album in my life. They leave us with another good time number and the chorus on this one soars and leaves your heart filled to bursting with happiness.
Promised Land may be album number two but it is their first album of a four album deal with Earache and I cannot wait to see what this band and label do together. Earache are renowned for getting their bands names out there and also getting them in the charts…oh and not to mention the lovely coloured vinyl they do.
This is a powerhouse of an album that has blues, funk, soul and southern all thrown together into one mixing pot of sublime music. This is a must have album for 2024 and if you get the chance go see the band as early as you can because they will not be playing small venues for long.
THE BAND’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM, ‘PROMISED LAND’ WILL BE OUT 3rd MAY 2024 VIA EARACHE RECORDS
