Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
Returning when most thought it was game over, Black Country Communion have nothing to prove and everything to prove.
With three stellar albums already under their collective belts, it looked like that was it for the supergroup and rumours of a falling out between bandmembers and busy schedules meant that they shone ‘supernova brightly but briefly.
Time heals all wounds though and the brotherhood returned for a fourth outing and the urge to make music together built bridges impossible to deny as they reconvened once more and ‘V’ was born. Having spent the intervening years flexing muscles in their own projects, this return balances all that made the outfit so thrilling in the first place with an invigorated freshness as everyone brings their A game once again.
Opening, ‘Enlighten’ goes for the extraordinary, its stratospheric size and power a real statement of intent that puts the pretenders to this particular crown well and truly in their place. Glenn Hughes purrs and plays bass as only he knows how, Joe Bonamassa adds a massive punch, Jason Bonham rages and Derek Sherinian brings his own sonic magic as the four celebrate this new chapter together. Thrilling first single from the album ‘Stay Free’ follows, the ZZ Top-like intro with its massive funk groove and stomp follows, the heaviness and swing a body and booty shaking experience. Shimmering rocker ‘Red Sun’ glories in its superb Bonamassa solo and ‘Restless’ dials down the bombast, the gorgeous slow pacing and tasteful performances highlighting each members unique qualities.
In the bigger numbers it’s impossible to miss the huge sonic waves but underpinning everything Sherinian’s keys lights up the subtle spaces, the colours he brings giving the whole album an individual set of tones but often counterpoints and lifts his bandmates playing. There’s a chemistry here that’s often missing with some other ‘supergroups’, the overall feeling of four equal partners rather than a set of squabbling egos all trying to outdo each other giving the album a cohesion and drive. It’s not all champagne and roses though as there’s a bit of a lull halfway through the album with ‘Letting Go’ and ‘Skyway’ not quite hitting the lofty heights of all that’s come before but things soon get back on track with the massive ‘You’re Not Alone’, the interplay between guitar and keys dazzling.
Imbued with a classic ’70’s feel, ‘Love and Faith’ takes things even bigger, echoing The Who at the height of their powers and expanding on that, Bonham’s drums having the same energy as the late, great Moon the Loon and a visceral ‘Too Far Gone’ has the grit and bluster to tear down city blocks.
Rounding things off, ‘The Open Road’ sees the quartet kicking back and having fun, the funk and liquid movement of everything and promise of what’s yet to come enough to bring a smile to a statue. Hitting exactly all the right notes and full of the breathtaking musicianship and individual spice we’ve come to know and love from Black Country Communion, ‘V’ is everything we could have hoped for and more. Here’s hoping the outfit get back out on the highways and byways to prove once and for all that rock is alive and kicking and in some very safe hands. Turn it up loud.
Available Now: Listen to ‘V’ HERE
CD Track Listing
1. Enlighten
2. Stay Free
3. Red Sun
4. Restless
5. Letting Go
6. Skyway
7. You’re Not Alone
8. Love And Faith
9. Too Far Gone
10. The Open Road
Vinyl Track Listing
Side A
Enlighten
Stay Free
Red Sun
Side B
Restless
Letting Go
Skyway
You’re Not Alone
Side C
Love And Faith
Too Far Gone
The Open Road
Side D (BONUS Live tracks from Wolverhampton)
Sway (Live)
Save Me (Live)
Wanderlust (Live)
“This album exceeds the sum of its parts and has captured possibly the finest recordings from their collaborative journey together.“
– 10/10 Powerplay Magazine
“V may represent their fifth album, but it could equally denote V for Victory.”
– 5-Stars, R’N’R Magazine
“With the quartet at the top of their game, this hunger to get together and make music seems to have given the outfit a fire and newborn freshness that’s powerful enough to tilt the globe on its axis.”
– Metal Planet Music
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